Dinosaurs Evolve!

A new survey of Republicans and Independents in the US reveals that a majority of them are in fact reality-based, at least on matters of reproductive health.

Sponsored by the National Women’s Law Center and the YWCA USA, the survey found:

that Republicans, and to an even greater degree Independents, support a range of legislative proposals to make contraception more affordable and accessible. Additionally, Republicans and Independents strongly support comprehensive sex education, particularly as compared to abstinence-only programs.

[snip]

A striking finding of the survey was that nearly three-quarters (73%) of Republican and Independent voters are concerned that government is too quick to involve itself in people’s personal lives and private decisions when it comes to sexual behavior and pregnancy.

Nearly three-quarters (72%) of Republicans and Independents favor legislation that would make it easier for people at all income levels to obtain contraception, and 70 percent favor legislation that would help make birth control more affordable. More than 60 percent of fundamentalist/evangelical Protestants favor these proposals.

[snip]


A strong majority of Independents (67%) and nearly half of Republicans (49%) have a favorable opinion of emergency contraception.

To me, the most surprising finding was on abortion:

Overall, the Republican/Independent sample opposes overturning Roe v. Wade by 51 percent to 43 percent. Even 44 percent of Republicans oppose overturning Roe v. Wade.

OK, it's a pretty small majority who would keep Roe v. Wade, but still, I find it hopeful.

And maybe it will give pause to the people pushing Arch Fetus Fetishist Sarah Palin for 2012. *shudder*