[ QUOTE ]
The better question to fit your hypotheses is "which party best represents public opinion on abortion?" The answer is the Democratic Party. The reason abortion may even out or even possibly help Republicans more is that there are more fervent pro-life people than there are fervent pro-choice people. This could also be the case with gay marriage although I haven't seen any data on that explanation yet.
This is why I and many Democratic strategists want Roe v Wade overturned- because it would fire up the pro-choice crowd and force Republican leaders to actually take action on abortion instead of hiding behind Roe v Wade and yelling about it. Only a few states have a majority who want to ban abortion, and their electoral votes are few.
[/ QUOTE ]Proof:
http://www.pollingreport.com/abortion.htm
"Regardless of how you usually vote, which party comes closer to sharing your view on abortion: the Democratic Party or the Republican Party?"
Democratic- 45
Republican- 35
Pew research did a good (as always) analysis on abortion and public opinion just a couple weeks ago:
http://people-press.org/commentary/d...AnalysisID=119