Gallup has the latest numbers on the breakdown of self professed “pro-life” and “pro-choice” Americans.
While the number of pro-lifers remains steady at around 50%, the number of “pro-choicers” dropped precipitously.
The 41% of Americans who now identify themselves as “pro-choice” is down from 47% last July and is one percentage point below the previous record low in Gallup trends, recorded in May 2009. Fifty percent now call themselves “pro-life,” one point shy of the record high, also from May 2009.
Based on these numbers, I’m sure the media and certain Republicans will advise that Republicans should now abandon all pro-life issues because they’re killing Republicans at the ballot box. It’ll be just like gay marriage which loses at the ballot box every time it’s tried so we’re told to give up defending traditional marriage because it’s killing us at the ballot box.
This is good news but, of course, as it’s asking people on the phone to self identify it’s real life applicability is somewhat questionable. I think the number I’m looking for is a massive reduction in the number of abortions in America. That’ll be pro-life.
May 23, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Meaningless numbers, really. I am not moved by
this. Without being translated into living actions,
this is just empty hype, for who knows what reason.
Karl
May 23, 2012 at 5:17 pm
The principle of natural selection at work.
May 23, 2012 at 8:09 pm
Basically all it shows is that the label "pro-choice" is becoming less desirable, much like self identifying as "liberal."
That same poll shows that the underlying attitudes toward abortion have not changed much, if at all. Nearly 60% still believe abortion should be legal under at least some circumstances, with 20% either believing it should not be legal at all, or legal without restriction. All that has changed is the label. I suppose that's something.
May 23, 2012 at 8:16 pm
The most telling stat is "under what circumstances should abortion be legal" – the last stat.
Legal in some circumstance – 52%
Legal in all circumstances – 25%
Illegal in all circumstances – 20%
That makes about 77% potentially functionally pro-choice, even if they don't like being called pro-choice.
The percentages have changed around somewhat over the years give or take 2-5% points, but seem pretty consistent.
May 23, 2012 at 8:38 pm
"That makes about 77% potentially functionally pro-choice, even if they don't like being called pro-choice."
Not really. More likely the vast majority of 52% are thinking of rape, incest or the life of the mother, in other words an infintesimal portion of current abortions. I think the poll actually indicates a functionally pro-life majority of 72%. The culture is shifting on abortion and this poll reflects that shift.
May 24, 2012 at 3:13 pm
I guess it depends on your definition of "pro-life". If you consider the rape, incest, life of mother (RIL) exceptions, as pro-life, then sure, there may be (although also in that mix are probably those who favor some restrictions tied to time rather than reason, such as first trimester only). What it does show is the option for maintaining legality in some form has not changed much over time.
May 24, 2012 at 4:54 pm
@Anonymous: given abortions for rape or incest are statistically negligible, that exception would be tantamount to banning it wholesale.
Then you chip away at the remaining instances. "Kill the body and the head will die"—old boxing adage. Don't try to end the fight with one blow, just wear your opponent down.