The policy first was implemented by President Reagan, but overturned by President Clinton and then reinstated in 2001 by President Bush. Gallup asked adults if they approved Obama "allowing U.S. funding for overseas family planning organizations that provide abortions." The Mexico City reversal, according to the poll, was the least popular decision among seven Obama presidential decisions referenced in the poll.

The same poll found that 64 percent of adults approve of the way Obama's is "handling his job as president." Twenty-five percent disapprove. Gallup surveyed 1,027 adults via landline telephones and cellular phones Jan. 30-Feb. 1.

"This week's Gallup poll revealed the truth that President Obama's decision to roll back the commonsense Mexico City Policy is out of step with the attitudes of the majority of American taxpayers," Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement. "... I strongly urge President Obama to abandon the radical abortion bailout agenda. Americans want him to endorse policies that actually reduce abortion, not promote it at the taxpayer's expense."

Obama issued the memorandum ordering the reversal of Mexico City Policy Jan. 23, one day after the 36th anniversary of the infamous Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. On Jan. 22 he issued a statement saying he remains "committed to protecting a woman's right to choose." The anniversary, he said, reminds Americans that the 1973 Supreme Court opinion "not only protects women's health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters."

Approximately 45-50 million abortions have been performed in the U.S. since 1973.

---Michael Foust is an assistant editor of Baptist Press