After every election, the National Right to Life Committee provides a valuable service to our cause by conducting polling to learn how pro-life issues impacted the vote. Yes, we know that in 2010 it was the economy, the economy, the economy. But, hidden among the talk about the economy was a very real and powerful vote for life.
The post-election poll conducted by The Polling Company found that:
30% of voters said abortion had an impact on their vote.
Of that 30%, 22% voted for pro-life candidates and just 8% for pro-abortion candidates.
This gave pro-life candidates a substantial 14 percentage point advantage.
Not too shabby!
On Obamacare and abortion funding:
27% of voters said abortion funding in Obamacare impacted their vote and they voted for candidates who opposed Obamacare.
Only 4% of voters said abortion funding in Obamacare impacted their vote and they voted for candidates who favored Obamacare.
On rationing in Obamacare:
44% of voters said rationing in Obamacare impacted their vote and they voted for candidates who opposed Obamacare.
10% of voters said rationing in Obamacare impacted their vote and they voted for candidates who favored Obamacare.
On Obamacare itself:
54% oppose the law (44% strongly).
39% favor the law (26% strongly).
On the issue of legal abortion itself:
53% oppose legal abortions except at most in cases to save the life of the mother or rape and incest.
41% favor legal abortion regardless of the reason.
All of the time, energy and resources used to inform the electorate about candidate positions on abortion was well worth the effort. It is stunning that almost 38 years after abortion was legalized in the U.S., abortion remains a volatile subject and a potent issue for voters.
The vulnerable whom Wisconsin Right to Life seeks to protect enjoyed a tremendous election day. At the federal level, they have three new protectors in Ron Johnson, Sean Duffy and Reid Ribble.
Victories at the state level are monumental. Not only do we have a right-to-life Governor and Attorney General, but sweeping right-to-life majorities in the State Senate and Assembly.
Ten Wisconsin Right to Life PAC endorsed Senate candidates were successful. Fifty-nine endorsed Assembly candidates were elected with one race still to be decided. These victories increased the right-to-life advantage in the Senate to 19-14 and in the Assembly to 62-36.
Overall, the significant gains made bode well for right-to-life legislative efforts in the upcoming legislative session. It is a phenomenal outcome!
Why Vermont? The Democratic candidate for Governor, Peter Shumlin, has promised if he is elected, he will push for Vermont to legalize doctor-prescribed death. The Oregon Death with Dignity Political Action Fund says “…if Vermont voters elect Peter Shumlin to be their governor, this election will likely set the stage for the next Death with Dignity law in 2011 and start building a groundswell of support for the movement throughout New England.”
It is no secret that proponents of doctor-prescribed death and euthanasia have targeted the New England states and the Mountain West as ripe for the picking. In 2010, proponents were most active in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Montana and Idaho.
Shumlin’s victory would provide a powerful platform in a key state to advance the cause of death. Let’s hope that Shumlin goes down to defeat.
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