Wirthlin Poll Shown; America Voted Pro-Life.

NARAL's bumper sticker reads "I Vote Pro-Choice." National Right to Life's reads "We Vote Pro-Life." Once again this year, the pro-life "We"s vastly out-numbered and out-voted the pro-abortion "I"s.

The re-election of President Bush and Vice President Cheney was a great day for America and for America's children. Post-election polling shows that the pro-life vote played a very significant role in their victory.

This year's presidential election offered voters the clearest contrast ever on the issue of abortion between the two candidates. President Bush's pro-life position and record is well-known, and the Kerry-Edwards team was the most openly pro-abortion presidential ticket ever. Kerry-Edwards had been described as a "dream ticket" for NARAL and Planned Parenthood. In fact, John Kerry was the first presidential candidate ever endorsed by Planned Parenthood's political action arm.

A nationwide post-election poll conducted by Wirthlin Worldwide (n=1,002, margin of error of +/- 3.1%) showed that abortion was indeed a major issue for voters in the campaign. As we have seen in previous elections, the overwhelming majority of those who vote on the basis of abortion, voted for pro-life candidates. This year those candidates included George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, whose margin of victory in several of the most closely contested states was smaller than the pro-life increment they gained.

On the issue of abortion, the poll asked, "Generally speaking, did the abortion issue affect the way you voted in today's election?" Forty-two percent said that abortion affected the way they voted. Of these, 25% said they voted for candidates who oppose abortion while 13% said they voted for candidates who support abortion. This yielded a 12-point net increment for pro-life candidates.

In 13 "high activity states," which included "presidential battlegrounds" and those with a closely contested "pro-life vs. pro-abortion" U.S. Senate race, National Right to Life PAC devoted more of its efforts. In those states, 43% said abortion affected the way they voted, but split 28% for pro-life candidates and 12% for pro-abortion candidates. This yielded a 16-point net advantage for pro-life candidates.

Of those who said abortion affected their vote, the poll also found that 56% voted for George W. Bush (this represents 24% of the electorate), 36% voted for John Kerry (15% of the electorate), and 7% refused to answer (3% of the electorate).