Appear at NARAL Fundraiser

DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES SEEK PRO-ABORTION SUPPORT

By Carol Tobias, NRL Political Director

On January 21, all six candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for President bowed down before the country's largest pro-abortion organization and pledged to support legal abortion on demand. They also harshly attacked pro-life President George W. Bush.

Senators John Edwards (NC), John Kerry (Mass.), and Joe Lieberman (Ct.); Congressman Dick Gephardt (Mo.); former Vermont Governor Howard Dean; and Rev. Al Sharpton of New York all appeared at a "NARAL Pro-Choice America" gala to "celebrate" 30 years of killing unborn children in this country.

As she introduced the candidates, NARAL President Kate Michelman made clear the price she demanded from pro-abortion Democrats seeking her organization's support. She said, "Indeed when President Bush sends a Supreme Court nominee to the Senate for confirmation, I fully expect pro-choice senators to filibuster any candidate who does not uphold a woman's constitutional right to choose."

As the first speaker, Edwards warned that the "right" to an abortion is under attack and that "it is our responsibility to protect it." He added, "And so you have my word: I will help lead the fight to pass a federal freedom of choice act that will guarantee the right to choose no matter what the Court does." By this remark, Edwards apparently indicated his intention to reintroduce the so-called "Freedom of Choice Act," a bill pushed by NARAL unsuccessfully during the late 1980s and early 1990s. It is a proposed federal law that would prohibit states from enforcing even the minor limits on abortion that are currently permitted by the U.S. Supreme Court, such as brief waiting periods, bans on tax funding of abortion, and parental involvement requirements.

Rev. Al Sharpton received enthusiastic applause when he said that it's time for the "Christian Right" to meet the "right Christians" who support abortion. Sharpton sharply attacked President Bush, Attorney General John Ashcroft, and some of President Bush's judicial nominees.

Sharpton was followed by 2000 vice presidential nominee Joseph Lieberman. Recognizing that this was the first time all six candidates had been on the same stage, Lieberman stated, "There are probably gonna be many issues that we disagree on, but not this one. And I'd say to you in 2004, that if you are pro-choice, there will only be one choice and that is the next Democratic candidate for president of the United States."

Lieberman warned, "The President and many in Congress are preparing a fresh assault on the right to choose--probably the most aggressive attacks we've seen since Roe was decided." The "right to choose," he said, "is in grave danger from the President. This Administration has been undermining abortion rights from the day it took office."

Next to seek NARAL's approval was Congressman Richard Gephardt, who was elected as pro-life but flip-flopped in 1986, before his first run for president. Gephardt explained how he went from sponsoring a human life amendment early in his congressional career to supporting legal abortion on demand.

Gephardt said he "was raised in a working class family of Baptist faith, and I went to college on a church scholarship where early teachings were reinforced." He went on to explain that early in his political career, he "didn't yet realize the full consequences of my beliefs." But he gained "wisdom" over the next 10 years as his "eyes were opened" by friends and colleagues who lobbied him on his position, he said.

"There are many uncertainties in life, but on this earth, in this country, there is one thing that must be certain, and that is the freedom to choose," Gephardt said in closing. "That's something I've tried to protect for the last 17 years, and I don't intend to give up now."

Prior to becoming governor of Vermont, Howard Dean served on the board of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England for five years. Dean received some of the most rousing response as he tried to one-up his rivals in his opposition to policies that are supported overwhelmingly by the American public.

For example, he attacked those who oppose partial-birth abortion, claiming that "using the word partial-birth abortion divides us by conscience."

Opposed to requirements that require parents be notified before an abortion is performed on a minor daughter, Dean proudly proclaimed, "I will veto parental notification."

In attacking President Bush and his administration, Dean went so far as to say that "if one of us doesn't win, next thing, girls won't be able to go to school in America."

In contrast to Gephardt's change of position, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry proudly bragged about his long-time, steady support for legal abortion: "As I said 18 years ago in my maiden speech in the U.S. Senate: 'the right to choose is a fundamental right... neither the Government nor any person has the right to infringe on that freedom.' "

Kerry added, "So it's time we said to this President: 'we're not going to let you turn back the clock.' We need to take on this President and the forces of intolerance on the other side. We need to honestly and candidly take this cause to the country--speak up and be proud of what we stand for."

Although it was disappointing to see all the candidates appear on stage, seeking the support of this pro-abortion group, it was not unexpected. All six of these men have strong pro-abortion positions.

Senators Edwards, Kerry, and Lieberman all have solidly pro-abortion voting records.

For instance, Edwards, Kerry, and Lieberman all voted to endorse Roe v. Wade, which allows abortion for any reason, even as a method of birth control. All three voted against the bill to ban partial-birth abortions.

Before Edwards joined the Senate, Kerry and Lieberman voted to block a bill which would have prevented minor daughters from being taken across state lines for secret abortions without parental notice or consent.

As Gephardt explained, he was once pro-life but now votes solidly pro-abortion. Gephardt's only pro-life vote in the last few years has been to vote in favor of banning partial-birth abortions, but only after voting for an amendment that would have completely gutted the bill.

Gephardt voted against the bill to ban all human cloning, supporting instead the cloning of human embryos to be used in experiments that will kill them. Gephardt voted to allow minor girls to be taken across state lines for secret abortions, without parental notice or consent, and he voted against protecting hospitals and other health care providers from being forced to participate in abortions.

Edwards, Kerry, Lieberman, and Gephardt all voted to pay for abortion on demand under tax-funded federal employee health plans, and they voted to require U.S. military hospitals to perform abortion on demand.

Howard Dean and Al Sharpton have been vocal in their support for legal abortion on demand.

There is a solidly pro-life president in the White House now. George W. Bush has helped to foster a culture in which unborn children are welcomed in life and protected in law.

Pro-lifers must do everything possible in the next 22 months to educate fellow citizens regarding the positions of the candidates who would seek to lead this nation.

Will that leader believe that the lives of precious unborn children should be protected, or will that leader believe that the lives of these children can and should be discarded at will?