Thursday, March 4, 2010

Poll: Voters send clear message that abortion is not healthcare

Representatives Should Not Be Fooled: 'Yes' Vote on Senate Healthcare Bill Betrays Constituents


WASHINGTON, March 4 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today the Susan B. Anthony List announced the results of a series of polls conducted in congressional districts by the polling company, inc/WomanTrend. The surveys asked registered voters about abortion funding and healthcare reform in the following members' districts: Jason Altmire (PA-04), Paul Kanjorski (PA-11), Brad Ellsworth (IN-11), Baron Hill (IN-09), Steve Dreihaus (OH-01), Charlie Wilson (OH-06), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), and John Boccieri (OH-16).

"These pro-life Democratic representatives face a stark choice: either they are heroes in the face of tremendous pressure, or they are the ultimate betrayers," said Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. "In these districts, voters reflect national pro-life trends, and they expect their values to be translated into public policy. This intensity will translate on Election Day. That means pro-life members must vote no on the senate bill, or any bill that allows abortion funding under the guise of 'healthcare.' The Susan B. Anthony List will be there to back up pro-life members who maintain their principled stand. If they don't, we will make sure the voters know before Election Day."

Survey results and analysis are available online at www.sba-list.org/poll. Key survey findings include:

Voters Reject Federal Funding of Abortion, Especially in Healthcare Reform

· At least three-in-five voters in these eight congressional districts agreed that "Abortion and abortion funding have no place in healthcare legislation." Additionally, more than 70% of voters agreed in four of the districts surveyed (Ohio-06, Ohio- 16, Indiana-08, and Indiana-09).

· At least two-thirds of voters in each Congressional District opposed "using tax dollars to pay for abortions" and in all districts majorities "strongly opposed." Furthermore, in three districts opposition reached 80% (Ohio-06, Ohio-16, and Indiana-08).

Voting for Healthcare Reform with Federal Funding of Abortion Carries Negative Political Impact

· In each district, voters were more apt to reject, rather than embrace, a candidate who "votes for healthcare legislation that includes federal government funding of abortion." In fact, majorities of voters in seven of the eight districts said they would be less likely to support a candidate knowing he or she cast a vote for this type of legislation.

The Susan B. Anthony List has committed $500,000 toward a new three week campaign of mobilization efforts in the congressional districts polled this week. Already the SBA List has spent over $1 million to leverage the pro-life grassroots in key districts through 800,000 letters and petitions to Congress, 1.3 million automated calls, 60,000 patch-through constituent calls, targeted television and radio advertisements, and two regional media tours in pro-life Democratic districts.

The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of Americans, over 280,000 residing in all 50 states, dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics. Its connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process.

www.sba-list.org