Ideology and Support for Stem Cells
After Thursday's 247 to 176 vote in the House, both chambers of Congress have now passed legislation aimed at loosening federal funding restrictions on stem cell research. President Bush has said that he will veto this bill, as he has two prior attempts to ease funding restrictions. In this case, public opinion appears squarely on the side of the legislative branch.
In an April Washington Post-ABC News poll, 60 percent of Americans said they supported loosening current restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
Ideological beliefs impact support for this issue, and should President Bush veto the legislation, it would be well-received by his base.
Conservative Republicans are among the strongest opponents of such legislation: Only 32 percent supported loosening current restrictions. On the opposite side, eight in 10 liberal Democrats said they supported making this change.
Moderates tended to favor the bill, with more than six in 10 expressing support.
Do you support or oppose loosening the current restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research?
| Support | Oppose | No opinion | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All respondents | 60% | 36% | 4% | |
| Party ID | ||||
| Democrat | 71% | 27% | 3% | |
| Republican | 42% | 55% | 2% | |
| Independent | 64% | 30% | 6% | |
| Ideology | ||||
| Liberal | 76% | 21% | 3% | |
| Moderate | 66% | 31% | 4% | |
| Conservative | 40% | 56% | 4% | |
| Social ideology | ||||
| Liberal | 80% | 15% | 5% | |
| Moderate | 62% | 34% | 4% | |
| Conservative | 39% | 57% | 3% | |
| Party by Ideology | ||||
| Liberal Democrat | 81% | 19% | 1% | |
| Conservative Republican | 32% | 66% | 2% | |
Full question wording available here.
More information about Post polls is available at www.washingtonpost.com/polls.
By
Jennifer Agiesta
|
June 8, 2007; 4:49 PM ET
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