Poll Stats: How is it Republicans own the abortion issue?

[shockingelk]

Looking at American's opinions on abortion in several recent polls, two things are obvious: a) Americans don't want abortion outlawed b) A lesser majority are fine with abortion rights being enshrined in case law, as is (Roe v Wade).

First, asking people how they feel about abortion rights:

ABC News/Washington Post (Dec. 15-18, 2005)
"Do you think abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases, or illegal in all cases?"

Legal In All Cases 17%
Legal In Most Cases 40%
Illegal In Most Cases 27%
Illegal In All Cases 13%
Unsure 3%

Translation: 84% think abortion should be legal in at least some cases.

CBS News/New York Times (Dec. 2-6, 2005)
"Which of these comes closest to your view? Abortion should be generally available to those who want it. OR, Abortion should be available, but under stricter limits than it is now. OR, Abortion should not be permitted."

Generally Available 39%
Stricter Limits 38%
Not Permitted 20%
Unsure 3%

Translation: 77% think abortion should be legal in at least some cases.

CNN/USA Today/Gallup (Nov. 11-13, 2005)
"Do you think abortions should be legal under any circumstances, legal only under certain circumstances, or illegal in all circumstances?"

Always Legal 26%
Sometimes Legal 56%
Always Illegal 16%
Unsure 2%

Translation: 82% think abortion should be legal in at least some cases.

Pew Center/Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. (July 13-17, 2005)
"Which comes closer to your view? Abortion should be generally available to those who want it. Abortion should be available but under stricter limits than it is now. Abortion should be against the law except in cases of rape, incest and to save the woman's life. Abortion should not be permitted at all."

Generally Available 35%
Stricter Limits 23%
Rape, Incest, Woman's Life Only 31%
Not Permitted At All 9%
Unsure 2%

Translation: 89% think abortion should be legal in at least some cases.

Now, asking about abortion rights currently being enshrined in case law:

CNN/USA Today/Gallup (June 24-26, 2005)
"If one of the U.S. Supreme Court justices retired, would you want the new Supreme Court justice to be someone who would vote to overturn Roe v. Wade -- the decision that legalized abortion -- or vote to uphold it?"

Vote To Overturn 29%
Vote To Uphold 65%
Unsure 6%

Quinnipiac University Dec. (7-12, 2004).
"The 1973 Supreme Court ruling called Roe. v. Wade made abortion in the first three months of pregnancy legal. Do you think President Bush should nominate Supreme Court justices who would uphold the Roe. v. Wade decision, or nominate Supreme Court justices who would overturn the Roe v. Wade decision?"

Uphold 50%
Overturn 34%
Unsure 16%

Associated Press-Ipsos (Nov. 19-21, 2004)
"As you may know, President Bush may have the opportunity to appoint several new justices to the U.S. Supreme Court during his second term. The 1973 Supreme Court ruling called Roe v. Wade made abortion in the first three months of pregnancy legal. Do you think President Bush should nominate Supreme Court justices who would uphold the Roe v. Wade decision, or nominate justices who would overturn the Roe v. Wade decision?"

Uphold 59%
Overturn 31%
Unsure 10%

So, I'm left wondering how it came to be that the abortion issue is a wedge issue electorally benefitting Republicans.