Would you vote for a female politician if you knew she had had an abortion?

Question

I'm considering investigating if people's perceptions on abortion/other issues in a politician's private life can affect a candidate's chances of being elected to government in my dissertation. Any thoughts on if abortion/ drugs/ general scandals in a person's past would influence your decision when voting, be it local or national government, would be much appreciated, thanks.

Answer 1

Having an abortion isn't a scandal.  Having an abortion would be the last of my considerations in who to vote for.  Scandals in the past have to be considered by the situation and the terrain.  Each one must be evaluated on its merit.

Answer 2

I dated some who have and was deeply in love with a women who had two and did not want children I'm advice to man the 2nd time around find a women who has and loves kids The ones don't are self centered Just my opinion

Answer 3

It would depend whether she had repented or not and what else she stood for.

I deffo wouldn't vote for an unrepentant murderer!

Nor would I ever vote for anyone who was Conservative

Answer 4

I never considering  when a woman had an abortion can influence my decision because will be part of her private life! And I think it is a woman's choice, there is no woman happy after abortion!

Answer 5

That depends on the situation.

Was she playing around and then used abortion for "birth control", which it is not?  Birth control is preventive, abortion is retroactive.

I would never vote for anyone I knew had been involved as a participant in a scandal of any kind!  Goering Warcrimes Bush has violated seven international laws to attack Iraq and the United Nations told us so before we attacked that non-warring nation!  (Non-warring because we kicked their asses back to Iraq during Desert Storm the way we should also be doing to Israel!).  Bush went AWOL for one year from his Air National Guard unit during the Viet Nam war because he was arrested for cocaine use by a Texas Highway Patrolman in Houston Texas!  Yet he later became governor and US president when he should have been disqualified!

Most people do not pay attention to records and history anyway, like the 8-million Democrats who voted for George Bush in the 2000 election and then blamed Ralph Nader's 2-million votes for Bush's "election" (Gore actually won the election!)

Answer 6

Yes, I would, but only if her policies were agreeable to mine. She made a private decision and it should stay that way.

Answer 7

Sure, if she had the guts to do that to her own flesh and blood, imagine what she'll do to our enemies.

Answer 8

I would be more inclined to vote for her....Its a good sign she wouldn't be blinded by religious beliefs when carrying out her duties.

Answer 9

I have great compassion for anyone that has to make that decision & go through that.Yes, it wouldn't be any of my business really....As far as drugs so I am concerned about McCains wife cause she is very wealthy & stole money from a charity to pay for drugs & has brought up alot of issues that show they both have a lack of integrity.

Answer 10

I would vote for her proposals not her private life.

who am i to judge.

Answer 11

Absolutely not. Murder and abortion are the same thing if you ask me.

Answer 12

Yes...that wouldn't affect my decision...i think women have to go through enough to arrive at that decision and it's a personal one.

Answer 13

it depends on if she regrets her desition or not. if she regrets it i would definatly vote for her since she is going to fight abortion more then most other woman would because she has a personal attachment to the issue- plus, i beleive that we all make mistakes in our lives.

if she dosent regret it then she can forget it.

Answer 14

Yes, but I wouldn't want to know in the first place. That is a personal issue, and I pity anyone who would pass judgment on others.

Answer 15

It wouldn't influence me one way or the other probably. The issue of drugs, however, does concern me.  I'm suspicious of any sort of dependency issues in my leaders -- drugs, alcohol, s*x, gambling -- whatever.  I don't want a weak leader.

Answer 16

Yes. The fact that she has had an abortion is a personal matter and not a political issue.

Answer 17

it would not effect my decision. it's none of my business what another woman choses. it's her body, not mine.

Answer 18

No.  Do you know any that have?

Answer 19

we all have a past. As long as the person was doing what they belived was right for the country and was tacklng important issues that would benefit the people then no that should not be an issue.

I think its sad that perosnal issues like that should be dug up about a person. reliving an experience which you may still be dealing with yourself nevermind having the whole of the country judging u on such a matter that does not concern anyone else but yourself.

Answer 20

highway companion and earth angel I both agree with. That's her private affairs and I don't have the will or the right to want to know about those issues. Failed relationships, disagreements with her family members is all her business. Abortion is legal by the way. But child abuse is not, and that shows a chicken **** weakness I would want to know about, and would definitely vote against. I know some will argue its the worst form of child abuse. But having an abortion because your not ready for a child is better in my eyes than smacking the kid around after its born because you weren't ready and resented it.

Answer 21

Unless she had been raped, no. If she can't control what happens to her body, I wouldn't put her in charge of my life.

Answer 22

not really concerned about the petty issues,as long as they get their work done in a legitimate manner. anyway, what politician is completely clean?

Answer 23

Yes, I would.  She would have had the sense not to bring an unwanted baby into the world, conceived mistakenly.

Answer 24

Does it really matter? I dont want to know, nor do I care. Its a woman's choice alone, and I feel sorry for those who dont see that.

And if I agree with what she says, sure I would vote for her in a heart beat.

Answer 25

I dont believe in judging people on their past experiences, however, if i did find out id probably want 2 kno the reason behind her abortion.  in som instances, i believe an abortion is appropriat, however i do not support the idea.

Answer 26

I wouldn't want to know.

Answer 27

I would NEVER vote for a female politician. Period!

Answer 28

we would not know if a women had done a termination and we should not know as its none of our business.

even politicians are entitled to a private life