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BY LifeSiteNews.com Commentary by Cheryl Sullenger, Senior Policy Advisor, Operation RescueMay 27, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Five polls taken in May have illustrated several important aspects of the unprecedented public opinion shift toward the pro-life position that could have an impact on the current Supreme Court nomination and the mid-term elections in 2010.In general, the polls show a major change in the way American view abortion and show that the Obama Administration is increasingly out of step with the growing pro-life majority.A Gallup Poll taken on May 7-10 shows that 51% of Americans describe themselves as pro-life compared to only 42% that say they are pro-choice. While pro-life sentiment has been steadily increasing over time, it received a remarkable boost since Obama was elected last November. This is the first time that the pro-life position has been in the majority.A Rasmussen Report released on May 5 showed that an overwhelming 58% of Americans believe that abortion is morally wrong most of the time, compared with 25% that did not think abortion was morally wrong. Over half, 52%, think that abortions are too easy to get while only 13% think otherwise.An earlier Pew Poll, taken from March 31 through April 21, indicated that 46% of Americans think abortion should be legal in most cases or all cases and 44% of Americans think that abortion should be illegal in most or all cases, figures that are within the margin of error, indicating a virtual dead heat. This is a stunning 10% change from just last August when 54% of Americans said that abortion should be legal in most cases.A Fox News Poll taken May 12-13 shows that 49% of Americans say they are pro-life while just 43% say they are "pro-choice." The Fox Poll evaluated the abortion views of political parties, showing that 69% of Republicans are pro-life while only 27% of Republicans identify themselves as "pro-choice. The Democratic Party is mostly pro-abortion, with 57% saying they support abortion while 34% say they are pro-life. OBAMA OUT OF STEPPerhaps the most revealing is the poll taken at the request of Americans United for Life. It showed that 55% of Americans took a pro-life position on abortion while only 41% took what could be considered as "pro-choice" positions.The AUL Poll went on to show that only 8% agree with 2nd trimester abortions and only 7% agree with 3rd trimester abortions. These unpopular late-term abortions are supported by Obama and his Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.That means that only 7% of the people - the most hard core radical fringe of the abortion movement - agree with Obama and his administration on abortion.For the pro-life side, 26% agree with the staunchest of pro-life positions. Ten percent agree that all abortions should be banned and 16% agreed that abortion should only be to save the life of the mother.However, for the pro-abortionists only 15% support their most radical positions. "This data is convincing evidence that the pro-life movement is doing more than converting the 'mushy middle.' The hard-core believers in abortion are dwindling, too," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "Debates of Obama's abortion policies in the public forum and controversies surrounding those debates have helped make the American people more aware of Obama's radical abortion views." Obama's removal of the Mexico City policy and the releasing federal tax money for unethical live human embryonic experimentation sparked public debate. Outcry against Obama's nomination of radical abortion supporter Kathleen Sebelius to the HHS post burgeoned when her connections to late-term abortionist George Tiller became public. The protests over Obama's invitation to Notre Dame kept his radical abortion agenda in the spotlight. All of these controversies have served to showcase Obama's extremism on abortion."When abortion is debated, we win, and the polls are reflecting that," said Newman. "With those growing numbers should come additional strength to change the policies in our nation that prop up a failing and increasingly detested abortion industry." SUPREME COURT TESTThat new-found strength will be tested with the appointment of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court, who has a history of judicial activism and believes that social policy is set by the courts.A recent poll shows that Americans overwhelmingly oppose an activist judge with a pro-abortion agenda.The Polling Company conducted its poll on May 17-18 and found that:· 82% of American do not want a justice that would support late-term or partial-birth abortions. · 75% do not want a justice that supports the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). · 71% would not support a justice that favored tax-payer funding of abortions. · 70% would oppose a justice who "believes that the courts, and not the voters or elected officials, should make policies on abortion in the United States." (Sotomayor's position) · 69% are against having a justice that opposes the enforcement of parental consent or parental notifications laws before minors obtain abortions."With Obama's nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor, Obama is disregarding the concerns of at least 70% of Americans by appointing a justice who believes that it is appropriate for courts to create social policy," says Newman. "Whether this nomination is confirmed or not, the additional debate over Sotomayor's views on abortion and judicial activism, the likes of which got us Roe v. Wade in the first place, will only benefit the pro-life cause and strengthen the resolve of the growing pro-life majority." WINNING HEARTS AND MINDSWhile more could be said about the recent poll numbers, the data makes three encouraging points. First, the pro-life movement has been successful at changing the hearts and minds of the American people. We, as a nation, have begun to understand that abortion is morally wrong and has harmful consequences to individuals and to society. As abortion continues to be discussed in the public forum, we expect to see even greater numbers moving into the pro-life camp.Secondly, the polls show that the Obama administration is grossly out of touch and out of step with the American people on the most critical moral issue of our time. His policies and appointments only underscore his stiff-necked unwillingness to listen to the America people on the matter of abortion. Americans may very well express their displeasure with this attitude next year in the voting booth.Finally, the new polling data proves that the pro-life position, which is now the majority position, has intrinsic power that has not yet been fully applied on the political field. Public sentiment is ahead of public policy."Right now there seems to be a disconnection between Obama's personal popularity and support for his actual abortion policies. Most people like Obama as a man, but need to be more informed about his policies, which they increasingly oppose," says Newman. "We will continue working to raise the consciousness of the American people to the plight of the pre-born. Hearts and minds are being changed like never before, and if the electorate is informed, public policy is sure to follow.""Since Obama's election, we have seen a resurgence in interest in pro-life activism. The grassroots response to the Sebelius nomination and Notre Dame scandal was impressive. A recent pro-life rally in San Diego hosted by several 'mega-church' pastors that have had limited to no involvement in the past is another great example of how pro-lifers, especially Christians, are starting to stir."Once the American people realize that Obama is thumbing his nose at them and their concerns about abortion, it could awaken the sleeping giant of pro-life conservatives that have refrained from activism in the past. If that happens, it would have the effect of changing abortion policy almost overnight. The mid-term election cycle in 2010 will show if the pro-life majority is willing to flex their newly-found muscle at the ballot box. We predict that they will."(Reprinted with permission from www.operationrescue.org) http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/commentary-obama-administration-is-out-of-step-with-new-pro-life-majority/

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