Before today’s Gosnell verdict, Gallup demonstrated that Americans’ views on abortion were holding steady. Incidentally, “holding steady” means that most Americans believe that abortion is, at least in some cases, wrong.
To hear the election rhetoric last November, you wouldn’t think 72% of Americans feel like abortion should be completely illegal or legal “only in some circumstances.” Remember the Republican “War on Women“? Recall the successful efforts to link Mitt Romney to Richard Mourdock and Todd Akin?
In reality, most Americans – regardless of where they would fall on the issue of abortion – probably think that Kermit Gosnell is a monster and a murderer. His conviction is no reason to crow victoriously. Gallup’s numbers suggest that there is support for the pro-life side; last November suggests that support is generally silent.
People are pro-life, but they don’t identify with the pro-life movement. For a movement that has gained enormous traction over the past four decades, conquering this hurdle is the next obvious step.
Jim Eltringham 