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In She We [Don't] Trust

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If there’s one thing Sarah Palin has been verbal about, it is her belief in giving a voice to those without.

I’m speaking, of course, about unborn children.

Palin has positioned herself as a strong anti-abortion activist, shouting "Pro Life" from Alaska’s rugged peaks to Washington’s white steps.

But according to a new poll, few American women have belief in Palin to accurately represent their views on women’s health issues as a whole.

A survey was conducted for Planned Parenthood by Democratic pollster Hart Research Associates and found that “just 24 percent of registered voters chose Palin as trustworthy on women’s health issues, versus 54 percent who consider Planned Parenthood Trustworthy.”

Voters’ lack of trust in Palin stems from their thinking she is “out of step” with their views on the issues.

Forty-three percent of all registered voters lack belief in Palin; 31 percent say she is, in fact, in line with their beliefs.

The poll reached 802 voters split evenly across party lines in early November and has a margin of error of 3.5 percent.

According to a Politico analysis of the poll, “The trust question showed a clear problem for Palin among women voters.” Researchers asked, “Whom do you trust more to represent your views on women’s health issues?” For all women voters, 58 percent trust Planned Parenthood while only 22 percent trust Palin.

“The Planned Parenthood survey also asked about Republican proposals on women's health issues, particularly plans to curtail access to abortion. It found 74 percent to oppose higher taxes on health insurance plans that cover abortion, which Planned Parenthood contends certain Republican legislative proposals would entail. The same number disagreed with abstinence-only education, which does not include information about contraception or STDs,” according to the Politico piece.

So where did Palin go wrong? A loaded question, no doubt, but it seems she’s losing credibility and momentum in her quest to be a leading advocate for women’s health, women’s rights and the Pro Life debate.

Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards said, “The message of the poll is that unlike the new leadership in the House, the vast majority of American voters clearly support taking proactive steps to prevent unintended and teen pregnancy, such as providing real sex education to young people and making birth control affordable and available.”

"The incoming leadership of the House should take heed that Americans clearly don't want their elected officials imposing new ideological restrictions on women's health and rights," said Richards.

Palin and the Republican party don’t so clearly see that women have an evolving outlook on health care, family life and decisions about their bodies. Palin has a very powerful and loud voice but the Planned Parenthood poll shows that she’s not singing the tune that American people can believe, trust or support.

Jezebel: Surprisingly Sensible Voters Not Fooled by Palin on Women’s Health
http://jezebel.com/5707080/surprisingly-sensible-voters-not-fooled-by-palin-on-womens-health#ixzz17QekboDi

Politico: Palin Not Trustworthy on Abortion
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1210/45984.html#ixzz17QfkQxdR

Planned Parenthood
http://www.plannedparenthood.org

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Bailey Mosier
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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