Poll: Pro-lifers may have edge in future Supreme Court battle

Poll: Pro-lifers may have edge in future Supreme Court battle
May 12, 2005
By Michael Foust

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--If abortion is a key issue during the next Supreme Court confirmation battle, then pro-lifers may have an edge with the American public, a new Gallup poll suggests.

The poll of 1,005 adults shows that pro-lifers are more likely than pro-choicers to believe that the next Supreme Court justice must agree with them on abortion. Although there is no opening on the court, many observers believe Chief Justice William Rehnquist will step down this summer.

Gallup asked the public "how important" it is that the next nominee to the high court share their views on abortion. Forty-five percent said "very important," 31 percent "somewhat important," 15 percent "not too important" and 8 percent "not important at all."

Among the group saying it is "very important," 53 percent are pro-life, 39 percent pro-choice. That could prove significant when pro-life and pro-choice groups ask their constituents to contact their senators.

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