May 14, 2010
Jill Stanek.com
Love Gallup's headline. And here are the results of its new annual poll on abortion (click to enlarge):
According to Gallup...
The conservative shift in Americans' views on abortion that Gallup 1st recorded a year ago has carried over into 2010. Slightly more Americans call themselves "pro-life" than "pro-choice," 47% vs. 45%, according to a May 3-6 Gallup poll. This is nearly identical to the 47% to 46% division found last July following a more strongly pro-life advantage of 51% to 42% last May.According to Gallup, all age groups ("with particularly large increases among young adults and those aged 50 to 64 years") and both genders are trending pro-life as well ("with the increase among women coming mainly since 2008, whereas the increase in men started after 2006").
While the 2-percentage-point gap in current abortion views is not significant, it represents the 3rd consecutive time Gallup has found more Americans taking the pro-life than pro-choice position on this measure since May 2009, suggesting a real change in public opinion. By contrast, in nearly all readings on this question since 1995, and each survey from 2003 to 2008, more Americans called themselves pro-choice than pro-life.
Pro-aborts are losing in the areas that really matter to them: Young people, who would be their future supporters/voters/activists; women, for obvious reasons; and the elderly, who are reliable voters.
According to the Gallup poll, the only demographic not trending pro-life over the long-term are Democrats...
As it did last year, Gallup blames Obama in part for the shift:
... [T]rends by party identification suggest that increased political polarization may be a factor in Republicans' preference for the "pro-life" label, particularly since Barack Obama took office.
Whatever the cause, the effect is that the pro-life label has become increasingly dominant among Republicans and to a lesser degree among independents, while the pro-choice label has become more dominant among Democrats.Ed Morrissey at Hot Air adds:
It's not the political divide that's driving these numbers -- but it may be that the cultural shift has started to impact political identification as well. If so, pro-choice Democrats could find themselves in a minority party in the next several years.
[HT: Hot Air via hubby Rich]
9 comments:
Before you get too excited about this poll Susie, you should understand that gallup did not define "pro life" to the respondents. Last year the result was essentially the same as this years and polls were also taken as to when abortion should be allowed. 75% of respondent said abortion should be allowed some or all of the time. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but REAL pro lifers believe abortion should never be allowed, right?
So what does this mean when the slight majority call themselves pro life, but the large majority believe that abortion should be alowed? It means that the large majority are in fact pro choice.
This has been pointed out many times to Stanek and other pro lifers, but they choose to ignore the reality. It's a joke really, because if someone wrote on Stanek's blog that they are pro life but thing abortion should be abortion sometimes, you know how the pro lifers would react!
S when they ask if you are pro life or pro choice when it comes to the issue of abortion the people do not understand the question? Only someone like Whoopi Goldberg maybe who says they are both pro life and pro choice. I think they understand all too well. If they needed clarification of the term I think Gallup could give it to them.
It is interesting that 50% thought that abortion was morally unacceptable regardless of the legality of it and 38% thought is was morally acceptable.
I don't see the question in the Gallup survey about abortion being allowed some of the time but regardless of your lack of source I would not be surprised that a majority would feel that life of the mother or rape or incest would be acceptable to them. Are they purist, with exceptions for rape or incest. No, but the trend is clearly away from abortion on demand. And why? Because they realize that abortion kills a baby human being.
"I don't see the question in the Gallup survey about abortion being allowed some of the time but regardless of your lack of source "
Shirley, I don't know if they looked at that detail in this year's survey, but they certainly did last year and that's what they got: about 75% though abortion should be allowed some or all of the time. Some examples were given of cases when to allow, but it was not restricted to those cases.
Clearly, there is not consensus as to what pro life means. Sure, REAL prolifers say it means abortion is never okay and abortion should be illegal. Clearly, other people might call themselves pro life but think abortion should be allowed in some cases and/or they might feel that while they might not choose abortion they think others should be allowed to choose. How often do you hear people who call themselves pro life say that? Be honest. And would you call these people pro life? No. So why count them as such in the Gallup polls?
A little honesty please.
"http://www.gallup.com/poll/118399/More-Americans-Pro-Life-Than-Pro-Choice-First-Time.aspx"
In case you don't like to dig Shirley, here's last year's results. You can see only 23% think abortion should never be allowed.
That would be 23% are technically Pro Life, regardless of what they call themselves.
"it represents the 3rd consecutive time Gallup has found more Americans taking the pro-life than pro-choice position on this measure since May 2009,"
Okay, this quote of Stanek's is a blatant lie. What is the pro life position? It is that abortion should NEVER be allowed. The majority have NOT taken this position. Last year, when this was asked twice only 17% and 23% took the pro life position.
Sa what you mean Stanek.
My these poll results have your dander up! If I would not choose abortion myself but don't have a problem with others choosing abortion, that would be pro choice.
so I have a hard time following your logic there. Now when I changed from being pro choice to pro life I did hold onto the exceptions for rape and incest. But when I considered the innocence of the baby being killed for the crime of the father then I realized the inconsistency of that belief. Of course if the life of the mother is at stake, early delivery or c section can be used and try to save the baby if possible. IF the mother dies because of the pregnancy obviously so does the baby so you have lost two.
The honesty here is that of all the abortions less than 1% are for rape, incest or the life of the mother. Many people don't study the details to know that off hand.
They are just reacting to the horror of rape and incest and focusing on the mother.
No, people are more pro life because the technology and scientific advances show us the humanity of the pre born. Notice the the 18-29 group. That is what has the abortion industry concerned and the increase in those who label themselves independents.
Gallup is not right wing pollster. Their polls are reliable. The country is shifting and for that we can thank the most pro abortion president we ever had. His support of live birth abortions and partial birth abortions is shocking to the American people.
You don't follow my logic Susie? Huh? You actually agree with it. We are saying the exact same thing: If someone thinks abortion is okay in certain cases (or all cases) then they are pro choice.
Therefore the Gallup results last July showed that ~75% ARE pro choice. And 47% CALLED THEMSELVES Pro Life.
Staunch Pro Lifers would normally tell someone that thought abortion was okay sometimes that they aren't really pro life. However, they are willing to overlook that when talking about these polls. If they were honest, they would say that only ~ 25% are actually pro life, despite what they call themselves.
I am not suggesting that the Gallup polls are unreliable.
And it's not the poll results that have "my dander up". It's that some people do not understand them and worse still,some do understand them and yet willingly mislead. I'm not sure where you fall in there Susie. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt though.
It's obvious from the conflicting results that Gallup needs to either define Pro Life or use different terminology. Had they asked "Do you think abortion should be illegal in all cases except possibly when a women's life is in danger?" rather than "Are you Pro Life?" the outcome would have been different and would better reflect the respondent's position.
And isn't that the purpose of polls?
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