Poll: 81% Want Severe Restrictions on Abortion

Americans have overwhelmingly rejected “viability” as a standard.

by Rod D. Martin
January 30, 2016

Last week’s Roe v. Wade anniversary may seem to many pro-lifers a sad reminder of how little progress has been made for the cause of life in 43 years. But a new Marist poll shows a massive shift in opinion from four decades ago, one which the law will eventually have to acknowledge.

While it is still true that Americans are split on “pro-life” vs. “pro-choice,” Planned Parenthood’s definition of “pro-choice” – unlimited abortion on demand through (and perhaps even beyond) the ninth month – is now rejected even by two-thirds of self-identified pro-choicers.

Indeed, so much have opinions shifted that 81% of Americans, 82% of women and 66% of pro-choicers want abortion banned after the first three months, or 12 weeks, of pregnancy at most. That’s the number in the Arkansas law tossed by the Supreme Court on Jan. 19, but well short of the 20 weeks in the Texas ban the Court will review later this year.

In short, regardless of what the Supreme Court may think, …