For whatever reason, Rasmussen Reports results on abortion tend to be less favourable to the pro-life side than almost any other respected source. Today’s numbers are slightly better than usual from a poll of 1,000 likely voters. (For more on the state of public opinion on abortion, see “New poll shows pro-life majority on abortion“)
Let’s take a question that Rasmussen often asks: “Is it too easy or too hard to get an abortion in the United States?” 39% say it is too easy, 23% say it is too hard, with 25% saying it is about right.
More questionable is the answer to the question “Some countries require a waiting period before a woman can have an abortion. Should there be a waiting period before a woman can have an abortion? The numbers are almost even: 45% say there should be, 42% say there should not. There is probably much more support for a waiting period, usually 24 hours.
The poll, conducted 9-10 April, also asked “Is abortion morally wrong most of the time or morally acceptable most of the time? Morally wrong most of the time drew 51%; morally acceptable most of the time drew just over a third (34%).
Rasmussen Reports has historically found a higher percentage of self-identified “pro-choice” voters, and that is no different in today’s results. When asked “Generally speaking, do you consider yourself pro-choice or pro-life on the issue of abortion?”, 54% say pro-choice to 40% pro-life (up from 36% in November).
A poll commissioned by the National Right to Life (NRLC) [http://nrlc.cc/16SghcI] indicates that the pro-life numbers are rebounding. The poll found that 49% of respondents identified as pro-choice, while 47% identified as pro-life. (In early 2012, the figure was 50% pro-life.)
In other words, the poll of 1,000 adults conducted between 28 February and 3 March indicates that public opinion is gradually moving back to where it was prior to the latter part of 2012.
Unlike Rasmussen’s poll, NRLC’s also asked a series of questions designed to determine under which circumstances the respondent would prohibit abortion. The respondents were asked to indicate their position on the issue of abortion.
11% of respondents indicated that abortion should be prohibited in all circumstances.
14% of respondents indicated that abortion should be legal only to save the life of the mother.
20% of respondents indicated that abortion should be legal only to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest. Twenty-eight percent of respondents indicated that abortion should be legal for any reason, but not after the first three months of pregnancy. Twenty percent of respondents stated that abortion should be legal for any reason, but not after the first six months of pregnancy. Finally, 12 percent of respondents asserted that abortion should be legal for any reason at any time during a woman’s pregnancy.
If the top three categories are combined (11% + 14% + 28%), it can be seen that 53% of respondents oppose the reasons for abortion more than 90% of abortions in the United States. In other words, only 12% of respondents agreed with President Obama.
However, if one were to extend this analysis by incorporating the 20% of respondents who indicated that abortion should not be legal beyond the first three months, the resulting figure would be 73%. This suggests that a significant proportion of the population may be open to the implementation of legislation such as the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. Currently in force in eight states, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act builds upon the scientific evidence that the preborn child can experience pain by the 20th week post-fertilisation, prohibiting abortions after that point in fetal development.
Daniel Miller is responsible for nearly all of National Right to Life News' political writing.
With the election of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, Daniel Miller developed a deep obsession with U.S. politics that has never let go of the political scientist. Whether it's the election of Joe Biden, the midterm elections in Congress, the abortion rights debate in the Supreme Court or the mudslinging in the primaries - Daniel Miller is happy to stay up late for you.
Daniel was born and raised in New York. After living in China, working for a news agency and another stint at a major news network, he now lives in Arizona with his two daughters.
