Poll Data Trending Strongly in Favor of Life

By Dave Andrusko

Both too little and too much can be made of polling data. After all, there are polls well constructed and conducted, and polls that are rigged to obtain a preordained result.

But when virtually every poll on abortion says the same thing - - the American public is steadily moving in a pro-life direction - - it's time to really wake up and take notice. A number of workshops at the 30th annual NRLC convention in St. Louis addressed the encouraging news.

To offer just a few highlights, let's begin with a May 2003 Gallup poll. When asked, 61% of respondents said abortion should be legal in only a few circumstances (42%) or illegal in all circumstances (19%). [A 1995 CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll that asked virtually the same question found only 51% taking this more protective position.]

A poll taken by Zogby International for the Buffalo News last November was even more encouraging. Sixty-one percent said abortion should be either never permitted (25%) or only in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother (36%).

Also in May Latino Opinion conducted a national survey of Hispanic adults. Seventy-five percent said that abortion should never be legal (27%), legal only when the life of the mother is in danger (25%), or only in cases of rape or incest or when the mother's life is in danger (23%). Hispanics are now the largest minority in the United States.

At long, long last there is parity in how people self-identify on abortion. Eight years ago, a Gallup polls found that 56% of respondents described themselves as "pro-choice," to only 33% who self-identified as pro-life.

By May 2003, 48% of Americans told Newsweek they considered themselves pro-life compared to 47% saying they considered themselves pro-choice, with 5% not knowing.

There are strong majorities for a ban on partial-birth abortion, for parental notice/consent, for 24-hour waiting periods, for telling women about alternatives, and in opposition to spending tax dollars to pay for abortions.

There are many other results, but we'll list just three.

Last December Wirthlin asked this question: "In light of recent medical advances such as in-utero surgery and 3-D ultrasound technology, which reveals the unborn child's body and facial features in detail, are you in favor of restoring legal protection for unborn children?"

Sixty-eight percent said yes, strongly (44%), or yes, somewhat (24%).

In May 2003, Newsweek asked, when does human life begin? Fifty-eight percent said at fertilization (46%) or at implantation (12%).

But one other result laid out the huge grassroots advantage enjoyed by the pro-life movement. In June 2000 the Los Angeles Times asked, "Have you ever been involved in the abortion movement?"

One percent said, "Yes, to have abortions" (pro-abortion).

But 7% said, "Yes, not to have abortions" (pro-life).