Support for legal abortion has declined over the last two years while the percentage of those opposing it has grown, according to a Pew Research Center poll conducted during August.
Forty-seven percent of those surveyed say abortion should be legal while 44 percent say it should be illegal. Nine percent are undecided. That compares to 54 percent who said they supported abortion in 2007/2008 and 40 percent who opposed it, with 6 percent undecided. The margin of error for this August's survey is two points.
Support for abortion among self-described Democrats slipped in this period from 64 percent to 60 percent. It fell from 39 percent to 30 percent among Republicans and from 56 percent to 47 percent among independents. Among the Democrats, there was a gender gap: support among men has dropped 9 points while support is unchanged among women.
There was a significant turnaround among Protestants. They now oppose legal abortion, by 52 percent to 39 percent with 9 percent undecided, compared to 2007/2008 when they were almost evenly divided at 48 percent favoring and 47 percent against. Catholics, who previously supported legal abortion 53 percent to 42 percent with 5 percent undecided , are now evenly divided at 45 percent on each side with 10 percent undecided. Support among Jewish-Americans dropped from 86 percent to 76 percent.
Other polls have found different results. New York Times/CBS News polls have found public views on abortion essentially unchanged, while a June Washington Post/ABC News poll showed that 55 percent believed abortion should be legal in most or all cases, compared to 43 percent who said it should not.
Drake began his career with the New York Daily News, spending most of that time in Washington covering Congress, national politics and the Reagan White House... more
Have you ever noticed how lately theres all of a sudden so many polls and 9 out of 10 are being peddled by the Bushnazi/GOP? Is this some lame attempt by the Bushnazis's at turning people? What are the chances they're lieing or stretching the truth? 44 out of 48 accusations by the Repubs on Healthcare were either misinformation or out and out LIES! (Factcheck.com)
RATE THIS COMMENT: (1)
Alwayspissedoff@something
12:06AM Oct 2nd 2009
Your right Clam Dumper...it's all those bushnazis coming to get you! Run Clamboy, run!
You are really too funny...
Really.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-1)
Pundit
2:08AM Oct 2nd 2009
..Back in Reality just 1/4 want to REMOVE the 1973 SCOTUS; Constitutionally mandated; Woman's right to choose!
Touche' Clay this poser Drake is almost always a RW RNC partisan (R)assmussen hack!
USA Today/Gallup Poll. July 17-19, 2009. adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.
"Do you think abortions should be legal under any circumstances, legal only under certain circumstances, or illegal in all circumstances?"
Legal Under Any Circumstances 21% Legal Only Under Certain Circumstances 57% Illegal In All 18% Unsure 4%
5% Drop in the prior; "23% always illegal since 5/7-10/09"
Legal Under Any Circumstances 22% Legal Only Under Certain Circumstances 53% Illegal In All 23% Unsure 2%
Sad but true: Any poll cited by above author Karl Rove? A/K/A/ Bruce Drake so far, is NOT even close to accurate or representative of mainstream scientific polling, which why he cites only statistically unrepeatable 'OPINION' OutLIERS!
The dissenting, knuckle dragging Neanderthals are scientifically illiterate and ignorant of the fact that 4 natural miscarriages preceded, each of OUR births.
28 Billion Natural miscarriages = 7 Billion current Earthlings today & No one gets out of here alive...
I find solace in reincarnation as Jesus & most all religions & philosophies do, while Leviticus instructs us on ridding the woman of the unborn or miscarried, soon to be reincarnated soul!
Oh Yea of little faith, are Hypocrites!
RATE THIS COMMENT: (3)
PCL
3:00AM Oct 2nd 2009
There is also a great article about the GOP's use of Rove's tactics (i.e., lying) in this month's Rolling Stone Magazine.
I am certain public support for slavery 'slipped" when Lincoln was president. Some things are so wrong that so called intelligent people- can't even see it.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (3)
chmessina
10:05PM Oct 1st 2009
Here's a visual depiction of the reason that ALL civilized countries should SHUN abortion, like they ultimately (and belatedly) did with slavery and apartheid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql_7jnp--UE
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-2)
char
10:10PM Oct 1st 2009
God created life. Man created a machine to end it.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-3)
knappag1
10:10PM Oct 1st 2009
SWo lets check to see how many would say the kid cannot have an abortion if the kid is the victim of incest , inbreeding or rape
lets take a poll and see how many think marriage should only be be between a man and woman NOT RELATED (Southerners are all products of inbreeding)
Let remove the statute of limitations for pedophilia
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-2)
knappag1
10:11PM Oct 1st 2009
Strom Thurmond the pervert fathered a biracial child.
Lets talk about incest inbreeding and the fact Cardinal Mahone of LA just got caugh hiding a pedophile priest (Cost 1.2 MILLION)
RATE THIS COMMENT: (1)
gvpal52
1:10AM Oct 2nd 2009
If this bill passes it will cost the Democrats Washington. The effects will be immediate on the quality of health care and the program will not even be in effect until after the 2012 elections. 45% of doctors said they will retire early and no one will go to medical school. These statistics will be obvious by 2012 and it will help the Republican party take back the house. We can repeal the bill and start over. This and the major losses of credibility on the world stage will cause a land slide victory for conservatives at every level of government. Say goodbye Nancy!
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-1)
john perry
2:01AM Oct 2nd 2009
How many of you knew that between 1973 and 2005 the democrat party condoned and promoted 45 million abortions. It is estimated that at least 10 partial birth abortions take place every day in the United States. Most doctors agree there is no medical reason for this procedure as most of the live, viable baby is already through the birth canal. This heinous act of murder is also promoted and condoned by the democrat party. This is the real democrat party, are you liberals proud of the holocaust you have perpetrated against Americas most innocent citizens? I mean no offense to Jews, one of the definitions of holocaust is a mass slaughter of people.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-3)
Pundit
2:21AM Oct 2nd 2009
How many of you know...
That the Catholic Church used to teach abortion, until 150 years ago when the Protestants became MORE Numerous?
Romans used to leave the unwanted, up to 2 years old in the forest for wolves!
RNC teabagger Newt Gingrich, the Freedumbworks chief is now a Catholic, rejecting Evangelical neo-bozos & Baptists...
RATE THIS COMMENT: (2)
dlddhh
2:52AM Oct 2nd 2009
While waiting near one of the maternity suit the other day, I heard a cry then a scream from a newly born baby, then all was quiet. In less than a minute a young student nurse exited that room, carrying a stainless steel bucket, draped with a green cloth. She was crying. I watched, she passed out of site. I could only wonder.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-1)
ssgchester
3:40AM Oct 2nd 2009
Last year a South American country passed law that outlawed any and all abortions. Any doctor who did an abortion would automatically loose their license. The Pro Life People danced in the street and the Catholic Church was dancing with them. But then... not long after... A women who was pregnant had a complication. If she didn't get an abortion she was going to die. No doctor would touch her. Yes Mr and Mrs Pro-Lifers, she DIED. The baby DIED TOO. It took her 8 hours to DIE. Her mother and husband where there. They were powerless. No doctor would touch her out of fear of loosing their license. Just what the Church and Pro-Lifers wanted. They said she screamed and screamed and screamed until she died a horrible death. Go ask the late women's mother and husband how they feel about abortion now. Funny how the Pro Life groups don't tell you these stories.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (3)
T.Williams
3:17AM Oct 2nd 2009
I'm all for a woman's right to choose and abortion, have her child and keep it or go for adoption. But, partial birth abortions is something that I became aware about 3 years ago and i still can't believe that it's performed here in the U.S. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY ANYONE WOULD GO THAT LATE IN THE PREGNANCY AND SAY "OH THIS ISN'T GOING TO WORK, SO PARTIAL ABORTION FOR ME" Wouldn't one know from the get-go they can't be a parent?
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-2)
Pundit
9:49AM Oct 2nd 2009
T. Willy, not if your carrying a DEAD 2nd Trimester fetus around or one that will die a horrible early death.
@ssgchester, Psycho-Op rescue is thankfully out of business & has closed it's doors, following the 17 murders they were convicted of & 178 attempted murders!
RATE THIS COMMENT: (2)
ssgchester
3:33AM Oct 2nd 2009
I’ve heard the Pro-Lifers cry the same cry since 1984. Little has changed. Thing is they don’t want the people to have “FREEDOM OF CHOICE” or allow a person to have “CONTROL OVER THEIR OWN BODY.” They want to hold that “CONTROL.” And that’s what it’s all about: CONTROL. They sound like a broken record. Cripes, with some of these politicians you just train a parrot to say, “Stop Abortion.” Then they pass out pamphlets that out and out lie about abortion being a cause of breast cancer. The American Medical Association (AMA) and cancer specialists have proven and stated time and time again that abortion does NOT CAUSE CANCER. But the lying Pro-Lifers keep on pushing the lies. It’s like the Living Will issue on the Health Care plan. All that does is allow you to make a decision about YOU AND YOUR LIFE should you become incapacitated by something like a stroke and are brain dead. But no. The pseudo Republican screamers and anti health plan crowd scream, “Your gonna kill Granny!” so set up “death panels.” More out and out lies. They even lie about abortion only in the case of rape or the possible death of the mother. But that’s all they have to offer is screaming and out and out lies. The so called “Pro Lifers” need in fact to GET A LIFE! Abortion is A PERSONAL AND PRIVATE MATTER. It’s between A WOMEN AND HER DOCTOR. It’s not a PREACHER OR PRIESTS BUSINESS NOR ANYONE ELSE’S. Where these clowns get off think it’s any of their business I have no idea. So they need to QUIT STICKING THEIR NOSES IN OTHER PEOPLES PERSONAL AND PRIVATE BUSINESS. They sure as heck don’t want ANYONE STICKING THEIR NOSE IN THEIR BUSINESS SO WHAT MAKES THEM THINK THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO STICK THEIRS IN OTHER PEOPLES BUSINESS? THEY DON’T. However, if they do think they by some strange twist of nature think that they do, then I suggest they move to the following countries where they’ll feel right at home: Saudi Arabia IRAN Vatican City Yemen Various Third World Countries where women are treated like cattle. The following Communist countries: North Korea Cuba Main Land China I and others know you'll be very happy in those countries.