prolife6A recent Gallup poll found that the majority of Americans now consider themselves pro-life (51%) rather than pro-choice (42%).  This is a near reversal of public opinion just one year ago, in which 50% of Americans self-identified as pro-choice and 44% as pro-life.  This is the first time since 1995 (when Gallup first began asking this question) that pro-life has been the majority view.  It is also the first time that the majority of women identify as pro-life (49% vs. 44%).  Currently, 54% of men consider themselves pro-life, versus 39% pro-choice.

A full 60% of Americans adults believe abortion should be illegal in all, or most circumstances.  The percentage of people who believe abortion should be illegal in all circumstances has increased from 17% in 2008, to 23% in 2009.

When viewed by political affiliation, the shift toward the pro-life viewpoint has occurred almost entirely among Republicans.  A full 10% more Republicans consider themselves pro-life today, than they did last year.  Among Democrats, however, there has been virtually no change.  I hope the Republican Party takes notice of this poll, since it has been slowly moving away from its pro-life platform.  They are moving in a direction that is opposite of the movement of their base.  Republicans are in enough trouble as it is.  They cannot leave behind their pro-life platform and expect to win future elections.