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What’s the next President’s position on abortion?
By Lauren | October 17, 2008
Continuing my series on ethical issues facing the next President, let’s step away from economics and turn to one of the most divisive social issues in America today: abortion. During Thursday’s final debate, Senators McCain and Obama were asked if they would impose a “litmus test” on Supreme Court nominees with regard to the most famous abortion decision, Roe v. Wade. Both candidates said that they would not; in the course of that discussion, their views on abortion emerged.
To summarize: Senator McCain thinks Roe v. Wade should be overturned. He describes himself as “proudly pro-life,” and spoke about improving adoption in this country and changing the culture to support young women who are facing a difficult decision. Senator Obama thinks Roe v. Wade was rightly decided, and that “women in consultation with their families, their doctors, their religious advisers, are in the best position to make this decision.” He said he would support a ban on late-term abortions, partial birth and otherwise, “as long as there’s an exception for the mother’s health and life.” He also spoke in favor of educating youth to prevent unintended pregnancies, providing options for adoption, and helping single mothers who want to keep their babies. Senator McCain disagrees with exceptions on abortion bans for the health of the mother; he said “that’s the extreme pro-abortion position, quote, ‘health.’”
Neither candidate addressed the fact that subsequent Supreme Court decisions have abandoned the rationale behind Roe v. Wade, upholding women’s Constitutional right to abortion as a liberty right rather than a privacy right and rejecting Roe v. Wade ’s use of trimesters to determine when and how the government can restrict abortion. Several of the current sitting Justices on the Supreme Court are ripe for retirement in the next few years, and the new Justices who are appointed will undoubtedly be presented with the opportunity to affirm or overturn Roe v. Wade. While Senators McCain and Obama have both said they would not impose an abortion litmus test on their Supreme Court nominees, voters can expect the next President to nominate judges who broadly share his views on abortion.
No one can deny that this is a powerful ethical issue, with strongly-held opinions on both sides. Have you taken a careful look at your candidate’s position on abortion, and are you okay with it? You decide.
Topics: Personal Ethics, Presidential Campaign, Social Ethics |
October 23rd, 2008 at 11:55 am
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October 23rd, 2008 at 5:20 pm
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