Obama Pro-Choice
by Christi Parsons
Pro-choice Republican and independent women tend to abandon Republican John McCain when reminded that he opposes abortion rights, according to a poll commissioned by NARAL Pro-Choice America.
But the fact that a significant number of women changed their preference after surveyors clarified McCain’s position may suggest that voters who care don’t know where he stands on the issue.
Or they take McCain for a social moderate because of other positions he holds.
NARAL leaders think it’s not a problem. They say key voters just haven’t tuned in yet and that, when they do, the issue will push them to Democrat Barack Obama.
“Most voters start paying attention very late in the process, especially women,” said Elizabeth Shipp, the group’s political director. “As we move into the general election and we get into October, people start understanding . . . When they hear about choice positions, that helps clearly define in their mind where candidates stand on a host of other issues.”
The poll, conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, included Republican and independent women from 12 presidential battleground states.
Continue reading, for poll highlights.
According to Al Quinlan, the firm president:
* Obama gains 13 points among pro-choice Independent women (who make up nine percent of this electorate) and nine points among pro-choice Republican women (who account for five percent of this electorate), when they hear McCain’s anti-choice record.
* When these groups are combined, this movement equates to a gain of 1.6 points overall in the general election race against McCain.
* Choice is the top issue for moving these key audiences to Obama, trumping other traditional Democratic issues and attacks on McCain. Among key voting blocs of pro-choice Independent and Republican women, McCain’s anti-choice record concerns them more than attacks on his economic plan and his position on the war in Iraq.
* Among pro-choice Independent women, 83 percent said that McCain’s opposition to abortion for many women – even in cases of rape, incest or when a woman’s life is in danger – causes serious doubts about McCain.
* For these same voters, 79 percent say that McCain’s votes against birth control access raises serious doubts in their minds about McCain.
* Among pro-choice Republican women, 71 percent said that McCain’s opposition to abortion for many women – even in cases of rape, incest or when a woman’s life is in danger – causes serious doubts about McCain.
* For these same voters, 61 percent say that McCain’s votes against birth control access raises serious doubts in their minds about McCain.
* Finally, the polling shows that choice can help Obama gain more ground among women voters considered to be Hillary Clinton strongholds: non-college educated women, older women, and suburban women.
* Among non-college women, Obama’s margin over McCain grows by 12 points between the initial vote and the vote after their choice positions are known.
