Americans for years have been split on abortion, but a deeper dive into the issue finds that a remarkable 81 percent favor some kind of restriction, according to a newly-released survey.
A Marist poll conducted for the Knights of Columbus in advance of the annual March for Life to the U.S. Supreme Court Jan. 22 found that even 66 percent of pro-choice supporters would restrict abortion to the first three months of pregnancy.
The poll, done for the Knights since 2008, looks beyond the longstanding 44 percent to 50 percent divide between pro-life and pro-choice advocates.
Their goal is to wake Americans up to the results that the issue is more complicated and that there is a national consensus on some limits and much agreement between pro-lifers and pro-choicers.
Marist Director Barbara Carvalho, speaking with Knights officials at the National Press Club Tuesday, said that the issue does not divide age groups or even the sexes. “It’s a family issue,” she said.
One of her graphs represented the issue well. It showed the current 44 percent to 50 percent divide on abortion between pro-life and pro-choice advocates. On top, however, was the Marist finding that 81 percent want some restriction on abortion.
Other key findings from the survey:
— 77 percent of Americans, including 71 percent of pro-choice supporters, believe that laws can protect both the mother and her unborn child.
— Six in 10, including 33 percent of pro-choicers, say abortion is morally wrong.
— 68 percent, including 51 percent of pro-choice supporters, oppose taxpayer funding of abortion.
— 61 percent, including 62 percent of pro-choicers, support laws that would ban abortion after 20 weeks, except to save the life of the mother.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
