A couple of years ago, Gallup released a poll that found 51% of Americans calling themselves “pro-life” and 42% “pro-choice.” It was the first time a majority of U.S. adults had identified themselves as pro-life since Gallup began asking the question, and the nine-point margin was easily the largest lead opponents of abortion rights have seen.
The ensuing fuss was considerable — right up until the numbers switched back soon after, and “pro-choice” outnumbered “pro-life” again.
The volatility apparently continues, with a new Gallup poll out today showing results that largely mirror the figures we saw in 2009.
If recent history is any guide, this will once again generate big headlines — when “pro-choice” is in ascendance, it’s assumed to be the status quo, which apparently makes it less newsworthy — but I’d recommend caution before either side of the fight overreacts to today’s data.
Yes, there’s some interest in self-imposed labels — though relying on one volatile Gallup poll may not be the best metric — but how one describes himself or herself on reproductive rights isn’t necessarily indicative of one’s larger policy perspective.









