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America is Now a Pro-Life Nation
A new poll by Gallup shows a stunning reversal in American perceptions on the question of abortion. For the first time since Gallup started surveying the country on this subject, more Americans self-identify as being "Pro-Life" than "Pro-Choice." And the turn around has been marked over the course of the past year. 51% of those surveyed now say they are "Pro-Life" whereas a year ago that number was just 44%. Those who declare themselves "Pro-Choice" saw their numbers fall from 50% in 2008 to just 42%. So, what accounts for this sea-change? Could the election of Barack Obama have something to do with it? A staunch supporter of abortion rights who won in November by a margin of 8 million votes, it would seem unlikely that Obama's rise to power would coincide with a dramatic shift away from with "Pro-Choice" identification. Then again, Obama has played the abortion issue differently from many politicians of the past, attempting to find common ground with anti-abortion supporters, and striving to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies.
But a deeper look at Gallup's numbers reveals that the real movement in the polling history is coming from Republicans and Independents who lean rightward:
The percentage of Republicans (including independents who lean Republicans) 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.
This shows that there are certainly enough Republicans left in America to make a statistical difference.
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David Knowles
A journalist, musician and novelist, David Knowles has covered politics at AOL for the past two and a half years...more
Comments (768)
cloakndagger55
10:20AM May 15th 2009
The majority elected a pro-choice President but you say the majority is pro-life? Does this mean that abortion is not a big concern to the majority?
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(4) 
onearthasin
10:51AM May 15th 2009
It is pretty obvious now that most of the people who voted for Obama didn't educate themselves on the issues. They just voted for "change" or according to race.
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(2) planxan2
11:16AM May 15th 2009
I'll be more supportive of banning abortions when they make adoption easy. When adoption takes years and costs a fortune, abortion IS the best choice.
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(-2) Andrew B. Medlin
11:18AM May 15th 2009
We should hope so...politicians have been getting elected on this anti-abortion nonsense for way too long when there are real problems with living people in the country--funny how we forget about abortion, flag-burning, and school prayer when everyone's poor and we realize that we need someone with sense running things.
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(-2) wolverb
11:38AM May 15th 2009
The poll showing that America is a pro-life nation is an Obama back lash because he's so pro choice. Obama is for late term abortions which is wrong to most people. Of course the media is surprised!!! this shows how out of touch the media is. The majority of Americans are CONSERVATIVE and are mostly against abortion.
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(4) eddiexray
11:44AM May 15th 2009
Perhaps, it is that abortion is not the only issue voters looked at when electing President Obama. One may not agree with a candidate on every issue, but still feel that they are the better choice.
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(0) reidgator
12:02PM May 15th 2009
Your question is valid. Obama has displayed a level of disdain for the unborn far more than even the most "liberal" politicians. He is the ONLY American politician I know of to oppose efforts to protect those babies who survived abortion attempts. He refused to ban "infanticide".
I keep waiting for Obama to quote Margaret Sanger (founder of Planned Parenthood) who was allegedly quoted: "The most merciful thing that the large family does to one of its infant members is to kill it."
The results of the 2008 election vs. this poll mean that many pro-life people look at multiple considerations. And, they realize that the abortion situation is NOT going to change much regardless of who is Prez, so they moved that issue down the priority list. Kind of like a "political triage".
One key reason the attitudes continue to shift is that every year, new voters come of age and realize that they could have been killed by their own mothers and they are not comfortable with that.
Until the citizens of this country show some intelligence and back bone and convince the judiciary (i.e., the SCOTUS) that our's is a "nation of the people" not a "nation of the robed elitists", the murder of millions will only continue.
I keep waiting for Obama to quote Margaret Sanger (founder of Planned Parenthood) who was allegedly quoted: "The most merciful thing that the large family does to one of its infant members is to kill it."
The results of the 2008 election vs. this poll mean that many pro-life people look at multiple considerations. And, they realize that the abortion situation is NOT going to change much regardless of who is Prez, so they moved that issue down the priority list. Kind of like a "political triage".
One key reason the attitudes continue to shift is that every year, new voters come of age and realize that they could have been killed by their own mothers and they are not comfortable with that.
Until the citizens of this country show some intelligence and back bone and convince the judiciary (i.e., the SCOTUS) that our's is a "nation of the people" not a "nation of the robed elitists", the murder of millions will only continue.
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(0) augustgschwartz
12:07PM May 15th 2009
I don't believe that your statistics are reliable. If there is a change in the pro life / pro choice debate, it is likely that people care less about the debate entirely. We seem to be more focused on rational national policy related to war, the economy, joblessness, etc. Less rational, (religious morality), policy debate seem to be back burner at the moment. I like your article though because articles like this help hone one's skills at finding specious arguments based on fictitious facts.
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(-2) trceremony
12:13PM May 15th 2009
i take offense to onearthasin.
obama voters are very educated on the issues, but many of us feel that we can't vote on single issue like abortion. our last pro-life president also gave us an unneccessary war, thousands of dead americana, hundreds of thousands of dead iraqis, torture, violations of the constitution, a faltering economy and environment...need i go on?
obama voters are very educated on the issues, but many of us feel that we can't vote on single issue like abortion. our last pro-life president also gave us an unneccessary war, thousands of dead americana, hundreds of thousands of dead iraqis, torture, violations of the constitution, a faltering economy and environment...need i go on?
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(-4) mrmhi
12:17PM May 15th 2009
A sperm is already alive. An egg is already alive. We should protect the living. As the bible said, no man should spill his seed.
There is absolutely no basis to assume that life begins at birth or conception. Such religious and philosphical constructs are arbitrary. Life has already begun. The only question is whether, and at what stage, society should impose a penalty upon those who destroy life.
Do we sanction for the destruction of sperm? Destruction of a fertilized egg one second after a doctor has artifically inseminated it? Destruction of an embyo? A viable embryo? A living baby? An adult?
Unfortunately, however, any resulting bright line rule will be, by definition, arbitrary.
There is absolutely no basis to assume that life begins at birth or conception. Such religious and philosphical constructs are arbitrary. Life has already begun. The only question is whether, and at what stage, society should impose a penalty upon those who destroy life.
Do we sanction for the destruction of sperm? Destruction of a fertilized egg one second after a doctor has artifically inseminated it? Destruction of an embyo? A viable embryo? A living baby? An adult?
Unfortunately, however, any resulting bright line rule will be, by definition, arbitrary.
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(0) Steph T.
12:39PM May 15th 2009
On the adoption thing....we should do a better job. But to say that it excuses murdering a baby? I just don't understand. This debate divides our nation. It's really hard to imagine how anyone can consider a younger fetus any different then older one. If we are disposal at one stage in life, then what the heck, we might as well legalize murder too. But even more then that, I am a counselor who works with the women who are completely traumatized by their abortion. It not only destroys a precious baby, it destroys the life of the mom too. I'm not speaking from a fanatical political voice, but I urge you all, to just think about it! My heart breaks everyday over this issue. It is the saddest, most horrible plague of our society.
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(4) Allga
1:27PM May 15th 2009
There are a lot of shallow minded voters who hold that right to life is not important enough to cause one's politics to change. It is sad to find that so many voters take this subject so lightly. In my opinion the politician that dares to be prolife should have your vote.
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(4) mickey
1:40PM May 15th 2009
Don't believe the poll.
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(-4) jmlthemort
1:46PM May 15th 2009
Let's get it completely right - we're talking about the majority who bothered to vote, not necessarily the majority who were qualified to vote.
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(2) B Hughes
2:23PM May 15th 2009
The government has no right in the issue of abortion. It is up to the individual always has been and always will be. You pro lifers just need to get a freaking life and stop worrying about what other people do. Unless this affects you directly stay out of it. I would bet most pro life advocates are also against Gay marriages. And again I say Get a Life and get behind issues that affect you as an individual.
Have a great Day
Have a great Day
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(-4) rumandcoke56
2:01PM May 15th 2009
Someone wants to abort their baby....be my guest, BUT not on my dime or through taxes. And as far as the Obama election.....54% voters have relegated 100% of this Country to unneccesary socialism. At 53, I never imagined that I would lose the land I fought for in 24 years of Army service. I feel so bad for my kids and future grandchildren.
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(6) Will
2:08PM May 15th 2009
It means that in spite of believing it is as much as murder, they accepted it because it was imposed on them and there is nothing whatever they can do about it.
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(-6) drev
2:26PM May 15th 2009
Many people who identify themselves as pro-life, do not want to see it outlawed. It is their personal decision.
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(0) Richard Stowe
3:19PM May 15th 2009
It only means that abortion was not a decisive issue in the election.
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(4) reyatcross
3:09PM May 15th 2009
not at all my friend -- i think people are finally getting fed up with the liberal we're for everyone line!
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