Bush's

Abortion-rights activists may be winning over politicians and the public, but they still lack the muscle to override their most powerful opponent. Two weeks ago, George Bush vetoed a bill to permit Medicaid to pay for the abortions of the victims of rape or incest. Last week, by a count of 231 to 191, the House of Representatives fell 51 votes short of the two-thirds majority necessary to overturn him. Bush then vetoed the District of Columbia's $3.4 billion annual budget because it includes Medicaid funds for abortion.

The President called his first veto agonizing; he supports the right to an abortion in cases of rape or incest. His second veto, which came as he was leaving town for Costa Rica, indicated how firmly he has decided to stand with the right-to-life movement: the D.C. budget he killed also contained $32 million for the Administration's drive to make Washington a showcase in the war on drugs.

Antiabortion forces also took heart last week from victories in Pennsylvania and Michigan. The Pennsylvania house of representatives voted 143 to 58 to prohibit most abortions after 24 weeks, require that women be informed of the medical risks of abortion and impose a 24-hr. waiting period. Michigan's senate approved a bill that would require parental consent to abortions for girls 17 years old or younger.

Pro-choice forces nonetheless feel they have the political momentum. A TIME/ CNN poll of 1,000 adult women last week indicated a dramatic shift on the issue since the Supreme Court ruled in July that states could pass laws restricting abortion. Only 12% said abortion should be illegal under all circumstances. Moreover, 66% disagreed with the Supreme Court ruling, and 54% said abortion is one of the most important issues facing the country today.

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