July 9, 2008
Obama's Call For Unity Faces Abortion Test
CBSNews.com Reports: As He Courts Evangelicals, Some Activists Look To Label Dem Candidate "The Abortion President"
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Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at the League of United Latino American Citizens, Tuesday, July 8, 2008, in Washington. (AP)
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Abortion Debate
It's one of the most hotly debated political and social issues in America. Review a history of that debate since the historic Roe v. Wade decision.
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney showed up at Barack Obama's Capitol Hill office building Tuesday with a sign featuring a mockup of the presumptive Democratic nominee dressed as Uncle Sam.
Under Obama's image were these words: "I WANT YOU TO PAY FOR ABORTIONS!"
The sign, which you can see here, labeled Obama "The Abortion President."
Mahoney, the Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, argues that because Obama's health care plan would include expanded access to "reproductive health services" - including abortion - the Illinois senator will effectively mandate that taxpayers, among them people of faith that are strongly against abortion, pay for the procedure.
"Senator Obama is pretty clear that he is not opposed to taxpayer funded abortions," Mahoney said in an interview Tuesday afternoon.
In response to Mahoney's charge, the Obama campaign released a statement saying the candidate "understands that the best way to reduce the need for abortions is to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies."
Added spokesman Nick Shapiro, echoing an earlier statement from the campaign: "He is committed to commonsense solutions to achieve that objective and to changing the tone of the discourse which for too long has devolved into false and negative attacks such as this that do nothing to accomplish that goal."
Under the present version of the Hyde amendment, which was introduced in 1976 to limit federal funding of abortion, Medicaid now covers abortions only in cases of rape, incest, and life endangerment, according to the National Abortion Federation. As a state senator in Illinois, Obama voted against a bill similar to the Hyde amendment that prohibited the use of state funding to pay for abortions.
Obama has also said he supports the Freedom Of Choice Act, which states that "To ensure that a woman's right to choose whether to terminate a pregnancy is available to all women in the United States, Federal protection for that right is necessary."
His web site points out that Obama "has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving women’s rights under Roe v. Wade a priority as President."
But questions about abortion remain a significant test for a candidate whose campaign has been built largely upon a call for post-partisan unity. Republican strategist Karl Rove articulated how he sees Obama's challenge in an address to a well-known anti-abortion group on Friday.
“This is a man who stands up and says he is going to bring Republicans and Democrats together to achieve great things for the country," Rove said. “How can you claim to do that if you are at the same time supporting the divisive practice of using taxpayer dollars to fund abortion? You can’t. You cannot square that circle.”
Obama has made a point of reaching out to evangelicals during his presidential campaign, a group that Democrats have largely ceded to Republicans in recent years. He has come out in favor of faith-based programs and stressed social justice issues that appeal to evangelicals in his speeches. There is even a radio ad running on Christian stations highlighting Obama's religious rhetoric, including statements like "I submitted myself to His will, and dedicated myself to discovering His truth."
Mahoney's media offensive, which CBN's David Brody writes "represents the broader feelings with many conservative Evangelical groups," reflects an effort to counter Obama's appeals by spotlighting his stance in favor of abortion rights, which is at odds with the anti-abortion beliefs of many of the evangelicals he is now courting.
"Evangelicals, including young ones, do care about abortion, and they don't like his position on it," said Steven Waldman, Editor-in-Chief of Beliefnet, who notes that roughly 62 percent of white evangelicals are anti-abortion. "Some of them will vote for him in spite of that, because they think other issues are more important. But I don't think he's going to get a whole lot of them if he doesn't move a couple steps in their direction."
Last week, Relevant Magazine published a story in which Obama seemed to move rightward on one of the much-debated questions when it comes to abortion: The mental-health exemption, which allows doctors to legally perform later-term abortions if necessary to protect a woman's mental health.
"I have repeatedly said that I think it's entirely appropriate for states to restrict or even prohibit late-term abortions as long as there is a strict, well-defined exception for the health of the mother," Obama said. "Now, I don't think that 'mental distress' qualifies as the health of the mother. I think it has to be a serious physical issue that arises in pregnancy, where there are real, significant problems to the mother carrying that child to term. Otherwise, as long as there is such a medical exception in place, I think we can prohibit late-term abortions."
But Obama's campaign, which took heat from abortion rights activists over the comments, later backed off in a statement.
"Senator Obama believes that while 'mental distress' should not be covered by a health exception, there will be cases where carrying to term a pregnancy may seriously damage a woman's mental health and those cases should be covered," Obama spokesman Shapiro said.
Obama has come under some pressure from Sojourners founder Jim Wallis and others to consider what's known as an abortion reduction agenda. Anti-abortion voters might be more willing to look past Obama's views in favor of abortion rights, some believe, if the candidate were to embark on a serious effort to reduce the number of abortions performed in America each year.
But the Obama campaign has resisted calls to adopt an aggressive abortion reduction agenda, possibly over fears that doing so could alienate voters - among them former Hillary Clinton backers - turned off by what they perceive as anything less than a total commitment to the abortion rights position.
Obama has seemed to move towards the center on a number of highly-charged issues in recent weeks, among them gun control, the intelligence bill known as FISA, and, to some extent, his plan for withdrawing troops from Iraq. Polls suggest that despite the stark differences between dueling advocacy groups over abortion, a middle ground exists should Obama want to seek it out.
"Most Americans want abortion to be legal but restricted," said Waldman. "They don't accept the position of pro-life activists, and they don't accept that it should be legal in all circumstances. That's where the center is."
By Brian Montopoli
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I also do not think that taxpayers should have to pay for abortions. Just like other rights, it is a right that the user of that right should pay for personally.
Posted by fstop100
He learned it from McCain! He has been flip flopping all over the universe trying to get out of statements he has made.
Although I believe a woman as a right to choose and that Roe vs Wade should NOT be overturned, there are bigger issues that need addressing during this difficult time in the country. Weighing all it out, MCCAIN still comes out on top.
Here''s a hint to Reverend Billy Bob - if his flock stopped raping and molesting little kids those kids wouldn''t get pregnant and wouldn''t need abortions reducing the number of abortions by about 90%
I realise that for him to tell his flock to stop abusing kids is to go his C**tstain beliefs which endorse and revere paedophilia; if he has a prolem with that maybe he should get GW Codpiece to talk to the buybee Jaysoos fella about his contradictory philosophies of no abortions aalong with reverence and support for paedophilia
translation: means fish out of water.
Now for a public servant notice the word servant.
translation: means master / slave.
Now if you are a slave and your master says jump you better ask how high on the way up. So flip flopping is bad if you are a fish or a wing nut.
The majority of the right wants "Smaller government" so why do those want the government to pass legislation banning various pet issues? (ie, abortion, gay marriage, etc.) Doesn''t this go against that very principle?
Seriously, I''d really like to know.
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Posted by bfjones666 at 09:13 AM : Jul 09, 2008
Guess you didn''t research his stance on late birth abortion, did ya? His stance was that women should be trusted to make that decision...now he doesn''t trust them anymore...
Sometime do your research on something besides Obama''s lying website.
-The best way to prevent abortions is to reduce pregnancy.
-Ultimately is the woman''s choice. It''s between her and God (if there is one ;-)
I like the way Hillary said it: "Abortions should be rare, safe, and legal"
Posted by RowdyWicca at 09:16 AM :
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As usual, you are misconstrueing what was said.
The ONLY thing Obama has flinched on is the Mental Distress issue.
If you don''t agree with abortion do what I do...don''t have one. In the meantime mind your own business and keep your nose out of other peoples crotches.
They%u2019re against abortion under any circumstance yet,
They%u2019re against *** Education,
They%u2019re against the Pill,
They%u2019re even against the Morning after pill.
They%u2019re only for abstinence which is totally naove.
Pregnancies are going to happen.
They think they can Nah it, Pray it, or Wish it away.
Grow up folks
I don''t believe we have ever agreed on anything before.
One of us must have taken the right meds this morning.
This is between women, their doctors, their partners (maybe), and their God. Let''s educate our daughters that contraception is their responsibility, then let''s provide safe, effective contraceptive methods.
After all is said and done, if you don''t support abortion, then don''t have one.
Posted by bfjones666
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I agree with your post 100%,
but the 666 in your name is scaring the $hit outta me :-)
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Posted by Ariel133 at 09:46 AM : Jul 09, 2008
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Total LIE. Show me the quote Repug
front page.
What a sad day in America when a person running for public office feels that is required of him to make this kind of statement.
If you do not want to beat a child then don''t and leave me alone.
If you don''t want to kick a puupy then don''t, but leave me alone.
If you don''t want to kill your elderly parents because they are hard to take care of then don''t, but leave me alone.
your argument is of little value
I would much rather have to help pay to just have them all fixed to where they cant reproduce, then we wont have to worry bout who dare baby daddy be!
This is between women, their doctors, their partners (maybe), and their God. Let''''s educate our daughters that contraception is their responsibility, then let''''s provide safe, effective contraceptive methods.
After all is said and done, if you don''''t support abortion, then don''''t have one.
Posted by barbaraf4 at 09:45 AM : Jul 09, 2008
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98% agree with you Barbaraf4. I don''t agree that''s it''s the woman''s total responsibility for contraception. If I were President, I would try to enact a program where Males reaching puberty could get a free reversible vasectomy. Far Out, Huh?
Posted by frootloop47
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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/
front page.
Posted by Ariel133
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My Apologies Ariel133!
I watch the interview last night on MSNBC. Sure didn''t look like he was concerned during the interview. His girls are great!
The reason I see primary contraception as the woman''s responsibility is that she will pay the consequences for an unplanned pregnancy.
How about child abuse (for the already born)? And, when you say abortion is child abuse - see above.
What a sad day in America when a person running for public office feels that is required of him to make this kind of statement.
Posted by Oscarez at 09:52 AM : Jul 09, 2008
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Obviously, you''ve never been baptised.
When your little fairy tale ends, you''ll see that this guy''s a complete fraud.
His attempt to explain his FISA flip-flop is a policy "disagreement" is laughable!!
And his argument that we''re expecting too much when we expect to never disagree with him is equally pathetic!!
Only Obama is calling his flip-flop a disagreement. Informed progressives on the other hand, are calling it what it is: a lying stab in the back.
We already made agreements, Barack: As you put it, we don''t need the government spying on Americans, and we don''t need Scooter Libby justice.
But now Obama has [already] broken both [and many other] agreements. He''s a double talking fraud whose going to get eating up in the domestically and in the Middle East.
Clearly Obama''s problem is he''s not nearly as smart as everyone around his is saying he is. Time, his legislative and foreign policy failures, his gridlocked politics, his lies and double talk, and his eventual alienation of voters will prove it.
Vote your conscience progressives.
Vote for a trustworthy third-party candidate.
Since you are eliminating men from the discussion lets eliminate child support when a man does not want a baby, but the women has it anyways.
No man should have a voice in the abortion debate. If men had to give birth, abortion would be a sacrament.
This is between women, their doctors, their partners (maybe), and their God. Let''''s educate our daughters that contraception is their responsibility, then let''''s provide safe, effective contraceptive methods.
After all is said and done, if you don''''t support abortion, then don''''t have one.
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You sound like a bitter Shrillary SagBreasts Supporter.
Couldn''t agree more. Late term abortion must remain an option for the health of the woman. That said it must be an extreme case to allow one.
As an "informed progressive", surely you realize the new FISA act is totally different than what the old one is. What Obama has said, is the the new FISA is not exactly what he wanted, but it was a good comprimise. The most important thing is the new FISA is that it total does away with non-warranted wire taps.
There must be guidelines, however, otherwise it will be used as a means of birth control. Clearly that isn''t the intention.
I respect Obama''s view in alllowing the woman to make the choice. Whether right or wrong, abortion shouldn''t be a political bone of contention. Roe vs Wade should stand forever and no man, woman or government should make another individual choose her form of medical treatment. Period.
If you don''t agree, then don''t have the procedure done. In the same vein, do NOT condemn someone for electing to have the procedure. It''s none of your personal business. Period.
I agree I enjoyed the interview and was impressed with this totally likeable American family. I''m sorry that Obama wasn''t pleased, maybe he needs to lighten up a little. It''s been a long campaign already.
Murdering children is a national disgrace. When Obama becomes president, I hope he eventually comes to know this, and helps our nation perform acts of pennance to correct this horrible evil and injustice among us.
There must be guidelines, however, otherwise it will be used as a means of birth control. Clearly that isn''''t the intention.
I respect Obama''''s view in alllowing the woman to make the choice. Whether right or wrong, abortion shouldn''''t be a political bone of contention. Roe vs Wade should stand forever and no man, woman or government should make another individual choose her form of medical treatment. Period.
If you don''''t agree, then don''''t have the procedure done. In the same vein, do NOT condemn someone for electing to have the procedure. It''''s none of your personal business. Period.
Posted by saycricket at 10:11 AM : Jul 09, 2008
I couldn''t have said it better myself. BRAVO!!
http://www.newsweek.com/id/145031
The only one "Confused" Obama, is YOU.
You can not make a statement of this magnitude without visiting the country and speaking to military commanders first.
If this is the way you plan to lead a country we don''''t need your inexperiance.
Also, Obama%u2019s argument here makes no sense. He%u2019s complaining that Americans don%u2019t speak the native language when we visit Europe, but that we don%u2019t speak the immigrant language when people move to the United States. With that argument, shouldn%u2019t we expect Europeans to speak English when we travel there?
I agree that everyone should learn a foreign language. I spoke French for a while, and I know a little Spanish from growing up in Southern California, and I studied Irish for several years. The study of foreign language not only broadens one%u2019s cultural perspective, but it also helps in understanding one%u2019s native tongue. However, to argue that Americans should learn Spanish as a higher priority than insisting that immigrants learn English is nonsense, and Obama%u2019s argument for it is a giant non-sequitur. It carries a strong whiff of America-bashing, too.
Murdering children, is quite obviously that. Murdering children that are already born, are outside the womb, kicking and screaming.
I''m consistently amazed at the religious right who continue to use "murder" in their plea. It''s nothing of the sort and you know it.
Good point, it would be cheaper. Why don''t we take it a step farther and take out everybody on welfare and save the tax payers a lot of money.
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Tell us again about McCain Latin American Free Trade Agreement. What a hoot the Bumpkins are!
Why not? Atheists and agnostics are having their tax dollars diverted to support churches.
Fake Republicans.