One thing about writing a daily blog. If the composition gets delayed, something new almost always seems to come along that can be added to what you've already written.

I was in the midst of writing about the political action arm of Planned Parenthood burying its head in the bosom of its hero, Sen. Barack Obama, when I came upon a piece in the New York Times. Michael Powell was writing about Obama's Fred Astaire-like moves, as he dances from one position to another on a range of issues only to end up where he began (but with a flourish). I shall return to this momentarily.

But then an old friend sent along a piece from CNN's "Political Ticker," discussing the standing ovations pro-life Sen. John McCain received in Ohio. A word of background is needed to help put this in context.

As you know from Part Two of the July 7 TN&V, Sen. McCain made his pro-life convictions unmistakably clear, and assured the NRLC 2008 convention attendees, "I will proudly defend my record of protecting human life during key debates on domestic and international policy." [www.nrlc.org/News_and_Views/July08/nv0707b08.html]

Sen. McCain is not waiting until the debates to draw the clear delineation between himself and pro-abortion militant Sen. Obama. Yesterday CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby reported that McCain used another question as an opening to talk about abortion. After offering praise for President Bush's efforts to expand faith-based programs, McCain said, "I also think that we should do everything that we can, and one of those in my view is respect for human life both born and the unborn."

Hamby observed, "Here, the audience leapt to their feet, eagerly applauding McCain."

Speaking at a town hall Wednesday, McCain "also drew a distinction between himself and Barack Obama on abortion," Hamby wrote, "calling it 'a big difference" between them.'" McCain, himself an adoptive parent, used the occasion to promote adoption. "I want us to understand that every life is precious, and that there is family in America for every child," he said.

McCain received a similar enthusiastic response June 26 in suburban Cincinnati. "[S]everal hundred donors gave McCain only polite applause throughout his remarks," Hamby wrote. "But when McCain mentioned his support for 'the sanctity of human life,' the small audience roared with approval."

Meanwhile Pro-abortion Maximus Sen. Obama was receiving the endorsement of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. This was a mere formality, but the reasons offered are very much worth noting.

In its press release the Action Fund explained that Obama had taken part in a conference call with some of its members. Obama vowed to them, "As president I'll make sure women have access to affordable health care, including affordable reproductive services. I thank you for your endorsement and your leadership."

Barack Obama and Planned Parenthood--the perfect anti-life couple.

But, to be fair, Obama did deserve the organization's endorsement. Among other sterling attributes (from the Action Fund's perspective),

*  "Sen. Obama has received a 100 percent rating from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. As a state senator in Illinois and a U.S. senator, Sen. Obama has a strong voting record when it comes to women's health."

*  "Sen. Obama supports a woman's right to choose and is a co-sponsor of the Freedom of Choice Act, which would codify and protect a woman's right to choose."

*  "Sen. Obama is a champion of family planning access for women worldwide and voted to repeal the destructive global gag rule, which bars any U.S. aid for international family planning organizations that perform or promote abortions."

That's only the half of it. One related point and I'll end.

A sympathetic but not totally sold-out family member smiled at me the other day and said, "No one is 'pro-abortion.'" Let me explain when and how and why we can say someone is pro-abortion.

Someone is pro-abortion when (to name just three components)

1. Whatever excuses they make, they oppose even the most marginally protective measure, even those, such as parental involvement, which are widely supported by the public. Obama opposes parental involvement.

2. They will defend any abortion, under any circumstance. For example, the hideous partial-birth abortion technique. Obama hammered the Supreme Court last year for upholding the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.

3. They work hand in glove with the Abortion Establishment to multiply the number of abortions at home and aboard. It is no accident that Obama is a co-sponsor of the "Freedom of Choice Act." FOCA would toss all commonsense restrictions on abortion into the trash bin along with the bodies of all the additional babies that would be sacrificed.

Nor is it coincidental that Obama would deep-six the "Mexico City Policy," which bans U.S. funding of private organizations that perform abortions or work to legalize abortion in foreign countries. However they couch it in euphemisms, someone who is pro-abortion really does believe there aren't enough dead babies in the United States and the developing world.

Tomorrow we'll talk more about NRLC 2008 and finish up on Sen. Obama's rhetorical rigmarole defending himself against the charge (as the Times's Michael Powell put it) that he is "pirouetting, leaping, lurching even, toward the political center." Whatever direction Obama is heading on other issues, he is not deviating an inch on his support for abortion on demand, here and abroad.

Part Two -- "A Special Urgency"