Are More Americans Pro-Life?

by: liberaltexan

Tue Jun 09, 2009 at 07:15 PM CDT

A recent Gallup poll reported that 51% of those surveyed identified as pro-life, while 42% identified as pro-choice. For the first time since Gallup began polling on the subject in 1995 a majority of Americans self identified as pro-life. However, when you look at the public's specific views on the legality of abortion it has remained relatively constant over the last thirty-five years. Since 1975 at least 48% of those surveyed believe that abortion should be legal under certain circumstances, and at least 22% of those surveyed believe that abortion should be legal under all circumstances. While those surveyed who believe that abortion should be illegal in all circumstances has never had more than 22% and as low as 12%. Currently 53% of those surveyed believe that abortion should be legal in certain circumstances and 22% believe it should be legal in all circumstances.

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation asked if respondents would want the Supreme Court completely overturn its Roe v Wade decision, and 68% of those surveyed did not want the decision overturned. Public opinion in support of Roe v Wade has remained constant, if not increasing, over the last twenty years. This is perhaps a much more truthful depiction of the public's overall opinion on abortion, there is a difference between a people self identifying as pro-life or pro-choice and their propensity to support legal abortion. Nate Silver of 538 notes "the terms 'pro-choice' and 'pro-life' are at least somewhat fungible; years of Democrats saying things like 'I am personally opposed to abortion, but I don't think I have a right to impose my few on the rest of society'."

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Texas Legislative Watch: Limiting Choice to Limit Unintended Pregnancies

by: liberaltexan

Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 06:34 PM CST

Press Release from the Texas House of Representatives:

VILLARREAL AND VAN DE PUTTE TEAM UP TO PREVENT TEEN AND UNINTENDED PREGNANCIES
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, February 3, 2009

(SAN ANTONIO, TX) -- Representative Mike Villarreal (San Antonio) and Senator Leticia Van de Putte (San Antonio) jointly filed legislation aimed at reducing the teen birth rate in Bexar County and across Texas. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Texas has the third highest teen birth rate in the nation, with 63 births for every 1,000 female teens ages 15-19. This is more than 50 percent higher than the national average.

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Sarah Weddington implores support of Mincberg in Harris County Judge race. It's important.

by: godmother

Tue Oct 21, 2008 at 11:26 AM CDT

Dear Friend,

You know how politically active I am and how intensely involved I am
regarding issues that impact woman's health and reproductive rights.
Typically I focus on federal or state races in this regard. However,
there is a particular Harris County race that we need to pay very
close attention to as well.

The Harris County Judge is the equivalent of the "Mayor of Harris
County". For example, the Harris County Judge oversees the Harris
County Hospital District. The person is this position can have a
tremendous impact upon woman's health concerns locally.

David Mincberg is currently running for the position of Harris County
Judge. He is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin School of
Law. He is a long-time friend of our issues and is a past board member
of Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas.

His opponent Ed Emmett is the polar opposite. His record when he
served in the Texas House of Representatives shows that he twice voted
to eliminate family planning funding.  Had either measure passed it
would have cut funds to Planned Parenthood. He also failed to support
an amendment providing that parental consent for abortion would not be
necessary for a teenager who had been raped and voted to require
parental consent in cases of incest.

Access to appropriate woman's health care in Harris County should not
be subject to someone with knee-jerk approval of the Texas Republican
Party platform. (See excerpts from that platform I've attached FYI.)
Emmett hasn't been publicly discussing his views on choice much; some
even think choice is not a big issue for him. I am sending this email
because in many ways Emmett is no different on our issues than the
most vocal of opponents. And there is a great candidate also in that
race.

David Mincberg provides us a viable option to ensure woman's health
and reproductive rights in Harris County. We need to get him elected.

Please make a donation by visiting www.mincbergforcountyjudge.com.
Forward this email to as many of your friends as you can and urge them
to support Mincberg.

Early voting begins soon.  Please use the address in the prior
paragraph to contact his campaign if you have any questions.

Thanks in advance for your help. It is vitally important that we make
2008 a great year for the choice community!