By NewsMax Intern John Rossiello
Jan. 6, 2003

Undoubtedly, with many Senate races being decided by less than 10,000 votes, both the economy and security concerns were politically potent issues. But according to Jennifer G. Hickey of Insight Magazine, most analysts have overlooked the impact of the abortion issue in several key races. In fact, she contends, polling data indicates that abortion was the major factor in shifting control of the Senate from the Democrats to the Republicans this November.

Pollster John Zogby, who carried out a post election telephone survey for the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), told Insight, "Basically, you had a number of close races, so anything that moved a few thousand voters moved mountains. On the abortion issue it looked like the intensity was on the life side and clearly that was what our polling data indicated."

Zogby's survey was conducted in just nine states: Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Texas.

Cumulatively, 41 percent of voters stated that that candidate's position on abortion affected their vote. Of that group, 55 percent backed the pro-life candidate, compared to 39 percent backing pro-choice candidates.

In Missouri, for example, the candidates' position on abortion was the most important issue for 17 percent of the voters, which came in second only to the economy with 21 percent. Of the voters who listed abortion as the deciding factor, Republican Senate challenger Jim Talent outpolled incumbent Democratic Sen. Jean Carnahan by a 4-to-1 margin.

Kate Michelman, president of the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL), expressed deep disappoinment with the low number of pro-choice voters in November. However, she attributed it to overriding security issues and a general lack of awareness.

This data could be critical even before the next election, since the new Congress now faces several issues sparked by the abortion debate. The NRLC expects to be some action to be taken on several bills that had been passed by the 107th congress.

Topping the list is the Partial Birth Abortion Act that was passed by the House of Representatives on July 24 by a 274-151 vote. Compatible legislation has passed both the House and Senate in previous sessions, but were vetoed twice by former president Bill Clinton.

In addition, there are four other bills up for consideration:

1. Legislation to ban human cloning.

2. The Unborn Victims of Violence act, that recognizes that as a legal victim any unborn child who is injured or killed.

3.The Child Custody Protection Act, which criminalizes the action of taking a minor across state lines for an abortion.

4. The Abortion Non-Discrimination Act, which prohibits state and local governments from discriminating against hospitals and other health care providers for refusing to participate in abortions.

A pro-life stance not only helped boost the GOP candidates in critical Senate races, but the election results may signal a trend that has Democrats worried. A Zogby International poll commissioned for the Buffalo News in December found that 32 percent of Americans changed their opinions on abortion during the last decade, with 21 percent - nearly two-thirds - becoming more pro-life.

Interestingly, the biggest shift towards the pro-life position was among those 18 - 20 years old.

If nothing else, the 2002 election showed that the abortion issue has turned into a significant political liability for pro-choice candidates running in certain parts of the country.

John Rossiello attends St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School in Staten Island, New York.

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