According to a new Gallup poll 41% of Americans who now identify themselves as "pro-choice" is down from 47% last July and is one percentage point below the previous record low in Gallup trends, recorded in May 2009. Fifty percent now call themselves "pro-life," one point shy of the record high, also from May 2009.

Since 2001, the majority of Republicans have consistently taken the pro-life position, but by a gradually increasing margin over "pro-choice." The percentage of political independents identifying as pro-choice is 10 points lower today than in May 2011, while the percentage pro-life is up by six points.

This represents a clear shift from 2001 to 2008, when Gallup most often found pro-choice adherents in the plurality.

Couple question

What if anything will this mean in the upcoming political races?

Will Republicans attempt to sway independents with this issue instead of focusing on the Obama economy?

Will President Obama downplay this issue during the campaign?