By John Stang
This chart from Gallup shows a growing number of people are crossing over into the pro-life camp. Andrew Sullivan comments:
I think it’s interesting and salient that public attitudes toward abortion have shifted slightly toward a more pro-life position in the last decade or so, and that this includes the younger generation. There isn’t anything like majority support for banning it altogether as the GOP wants – but Americans seem more attuned the to gravity of the moral question here. Compare that with the issue of marriage equality. The only inference is that there are a lot of pro-marriage equality folks who are also anti-abortion. I don’t want to criminalize abortion in the first trimester, but if I had to describe myself, I’d probably say “pro-life.”
True, but I also think it also means the “Pro-Choice” side needs to recalibrate its strategy in terms of selling its message. Pro-choice is not equivalent to being pro-abortion. It just means someone thinks women should have the choice whether or not to have an abortion. There is a certainly a grey area between being against abortion personally (as I am) and wanting to ban it altogether (the more extreme position). Instead, the movement should emphasize that one can be morally against abortion and want women to consider that as their last option or in extreme circumstances, but not get rid of the practice altogether because they think it would be a bad idea policy wise. Saying everyone should have a “choice” in the matter mediates the position and makes it more libertarian sounding, and, I think, brings more people on board.
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