NEW YORK — The Gallup Poll reported Friday that 51 percent of Americans now call themselves pro-life rather than pro-choice on the issue of abortion, the first time a majority gave that answer in the 15 years Gallup has asked the question.
The findings, obtained in an annual survey on values and beliefs, marked a significant shift from a year ago. A year ago, 50 percent said they were pro- choice and 44 percent pro-life — in the new poll, 42 percent said they were pro-choice.
The new survey showed that Americans remain deeply divided — with 23 percent saying abortion should be illegal in all circumstances, 22 percent saying it should be legal under any circumstances, and 53 percent saying it should be legal only under certain circumstances.
The findings echoed a recent national survey by the Pew Research Center. Taken together, the two polls have elated anti-abortion activists, who had been stung by the November election results that placed President Barack Obama and other abortion-rights supporters in power in Washington.
“Ironically, Obama’s radical abortion policies and nominees may have helped make America more pro-life,” said Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America.
Nancy Keenan president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said the Gallup findings “do not square with the voting patterns in the last two elections cycles.”
