« Another Acorn scandal: 270 related corporations and non-profits operate out of a former funeral home | Main | Religion of peace and tolerance update »

May 15, 2009

New Gallop Poll: Majority of Americans are Pro-Life

Topics: Abortion, Political News and commentaries

The Gallop poll shows Americans' recent shift toward the pro-life position - confirmed by multiple surveys, with Americans taking a step back from the pro-choice position. And the retreat is evident among political moderates as well as conservatives.

Gallup:

PRINCETON, NJ - A new Gallup Poll, conducted May 7-10, finds 51% of Americans calling themselves "pro-life" on the issue of abortion and 42% "pro-choice." This is the first time a majority of U.S. adults have identified themselves as pro-life since Gallup began asking this question in 1995.

The new results, obtained from Gallup's annual Values and Beliefs survey, represent a significant shift from a year ago, when 50% were pro-choice and 44% pro-life. Prior to now, the highest percentage identifying as pro-life was 46%, in both August 2001 and May 2002.

The May 2009 survey documents comparable changes in public views about the legality of abortion. In answer to a question providing three options for the extent to which abortion should be legal, about as many Americans now say the procedure should be illegal in all circumstances (23%) as say it should be legal under any circumstances (22%). This contrasts with the last four years, when Gallup found a strong tilt of public attitudes in favor of unrestricted abortion.

And interestingly, Gallup found that Republicans and Independents who lean Republican are moving to the Right:

The source of the shift in abortion views is clear in the Gallup Values and Beliefs survey. The percentage of Republicans (including independents who lean Republican) calling themselves "pro-life" rose by 10 points over the past year, from 60% to 70%, while there has been essentially no change in the views of Democrats and Democratic leaners.

More on the poll results here

Bottom Line:

With the first pro-choice president in eight years already making changes to the nation's policies on funding abortion overseas, expressing his support for the Freedom of Choice Act, and moving toward rescinding federal job protections for medical workers who refuse to participate in abortion procedures, Americans -- and, in particular, Republicans -- seem to be taking a step back from the pro-choice position. However, the retreat is evident among political moderates as well as conservatives. (emphasis mine)

Posted by Hyscience at May 15, 2009 7:42 AM

Articles Related to Abortion, Political News and commentaries:

• New Gallop Poll: Majority of Americans are Pro-Life - May 15, 2009