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Fired Up Bill Clinton Goes Off on Pro-Lifers

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February 17, 2008 7:50 PM

ABC News' Sarah Amos reports: Bill Clinton spoke today in Steubenville, Ohio, a primarily working community.

About 15 minutes into his talk, a group of people holding up signs in the audience began harassing him about the issue of abortion. Although the clearly devoutly pro-life group of people were here to cause trouble, Clinton didn't take the bait, responding with a long policy-type answer about Hillary Clinton's views on abortion.

"And guess what? Even though she, as a woman, did not believe we should overturn Roe v. Wade, she said, and she said again, at the outset of this election, that every abortion is a tragedy, and they should be more rare, but safe and legal," Clinton said.

"And I agree with her. But let's look at the record. It's easy for a politician to run and say, 'I'm pro-life, you vote for me, and we'll get rid of Roe v. Wade. Nobody can tell you how they're gonna do that ... I don't ... it's not gone yet.

"But when Hillary was in the White House, she supervised our efforts to, number one, let young women, who have children out of wedlock, live with their parents and still keep all their welfare benefits, so that the grandparents can take care of the kids while, the women went to school," Clinton continued. 

"Number two, [she] led a serious effort to reduce teen pregnancy, and we had the lowest teen pregnancy rate since the statistics had been kept ... And guess what? Without overturning Roe v. Wade, or trying to keep people all torn up and upset or calling them killers, the abortion rate went down almost 20 percent on our watch."

But, clearly, that wasn't enough for the pro-life audience members. Many continued to stand silently, holding signs that said "abortion kills children," as Clinton continued speaking. Three teenagers stood with their backs to Clinton, praying with rosaries.

Eventually though one man had enough and shouted out, "what about pro-life, though?"

It appeared that Clinton had had his fill and erupted on the man as the rest of the audience applauded the former president. He was so angry, we, in the press, couldn't keep up with what he was saying. Clinton made it clear that, as a man, he disagreed on this issue.

"I reduced abortion ... tell the truth ... If you were really pro-life, you would want to put every doctor and every mother, as an accessory to murder, in prison. And you won't say you wanna do that, because you know that you wouldn't have a lick of political support.

"Now, you can't name me anybody presently in politics that did more to introduce policies that reduce the number of real abortions, instead of the hot air putting out to tear people up and make votes by dividing America."

An unrelenting Clinton continued, "This is not your rally. I heard you. That's another thing you need is a president, somebody who will stick up for individual rights, and not be pushed around, and [Hillary] won't.

"The policies she spearheaded saved a heck of a lot more lives than all the TV ads that were bought and all the hot air that was spread. And we ought to talk about that."

It seemed, at the rope line afterwards, that Clinton had pleasant words with a few of the sign holders after the event was over.

February 17, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (98)

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This headline is totally misleading.

Posted by: ohioNative | Feb 17, 2008 7:59:45 PM

Looks like Bill's got some pretty thin skin, and Hilliary has to use her man to back her up all the time. Makes you wonder who's gonna be in charge if she gets elected; Huh??? Both of these folks are bullies and control freaks. But I guess after eight years of BUSH, the people have been conditioned to accept nothing less. It's pitiful, really.

Posted by: cba | Feb 17, 2008 8:13:03 PM

now this is when he's at his best, talking policy and putting people in their place. i don't support hillary because she was along for the ride, but term #3 for this guy would get my support. never seen a bigger waste of spending than the newt fiasco, all over a little intern service, give me a break

Posted by: joe4obama | Feb 17, 2008 8:17:54 PM

Interesting that he says "the policies....saved a heck of a lot more lives...." I thought a "fetus" wasn't actually a living human. So the opposite of pro life must be pro death according to Bill.

Posted by: agc | Feb 17, 2008 8:29:05 PM

Bill Clinton's passionate and effective rant is intended to break the perceived blockage by media who, contrary to Obama, are reluctant to publish Hillary Clinton position on the issues fairly.

Posted by: Angel | Feb 17, 2008 8:31:34 PM

Abortion is a private matter for a woman alone. I don't hear about the churches conducting funeral services for all of the miscarriages, abortions, or other misfortunate events. Life begins at birth- period. That's why we have our first birthday one year later. A viable fetus should be given the chance to breathe, if successful, a birth has taken place and a new individual with rights is now among us.

Posted by: William Bergmann | Feb 17, 2008 8:37:49 PM

The Clintons are toast...no more Clintons & no more Bushes!!!

Posted by: Cynical_Me | Feb 17, 2008 8:52:44 PM

Again, the abortion debate continues - and elements of the "pro life" cadre impose themselves on a big picture gathering with a single issue.

First of all, let us - once and for all - abandon the very term "pro life" to describe those who are anti-abortion. After all, it is a far more accurately-descriptive term. If those who are anti-abortion would just say so, and describe themselves as such, I believe they would have more credibility. Certainly, their stock would be worth more with me if they were more honest.

Likewise, one should be just as accurate when referencing those on the opposite side of the fence. Since I have heard no one propose surgical termination of all pregnancies, one would accurately describe "the other side" as pro-choice. Simply, a choice to terminate an uninvited, unwelcome pregnancy.

The matter of terminating a pregnancy is intellectual, emotional and psychological. Above all else, no woman should ever have to be what is sometimes described as a "baby machine" because she has become pregnant. Through careful, thoughtful, perhaps prayerful consideration - and working within the health care system - each woman should be able to make their own decision.

To address the anti-abortion movement and its participants, I offer this: when the medical community can successfully remove an embryo from a woman's body and transplant it to a willing host, I will be first in line to personally and financially support eradication of abortions.

Until this happens, a woman should absolutely have the right to terminate an unwelcome pregnancy. And, those of the anti-abortion ilk should divert their efforts from disruption to research.

Posted by: Mylon Stark | Feb 17, 2008 8:57:17 PM

I agree with the first person - 'ohionative.' How can ABCNEWS justify such an headline? I have seen the tape of the alleged 'going-off' and I did not see anything like 'going-off.'Is Sarah Amos working fo the Obama campaign now or what? Is is insane! Where is Peter Jennings when you need him. This is such and irresponsible news editing and I have been a fan of ABCNEWS for years but when you go wrong I will tell you. This is the lowest you have gone in this campaign. I will have to look up Sara Amos on-line on her qualifications, school background etc. I need to know the caliber of the person I am trusting as my source for news and information. What is this? Tabloid ABC? Giveme a break Sara!

Posted by: Emanuel | Feb 17, 2008 8:57:29 PM

I wonder how the prolife debate will develope once artificial womb's become a reality... At that point any early term fetus could be transfered to an artificial womb for further growth rather than being aborted... I'm guessing at that point they'll probably turn over the pro-choice laws. Until then I hope women still have the right to chose.

Posted by: Shaun | Feb 17, 2008 8:58:19 PM

Where is Hillary? this is not the best way to conduct her campaign, she is loosing by using her man who is being credited by the outcomes of the Hillary's ambition to be a president. Bill has had 2 mandates and there is no need for a third mandate which was Al Gore's task, but he has lost because of Bill, Jeb Bush, Catherine Harris and the supreme court.

Posted by: BKMC | Feb 17, 2008 9:02:50 PM

While I am voting for Obama, I applaude Bill Clinton for his stand today...its a shame his moral values do not equal his speaking tone.

Posted by: Deanna G. | Feb 17, 2008 9:05:05 PM

arent dems pro-choice? those pro-lifers are a mess...

Posted by: tony | Feb 17, 2008 9:06:49 PM

infact am tired of all this clintons and bush administration. obama is the mannnnnn. bush father was there till 1992, then clinton came in in 1992, he left in 2000, again bush son came inn in 2000,now again clintons wife is about to rule again god forbid. that will not happen again,will have alot of good people who can rule this great country apart from this two family.please americans eradicate this bush& clinton administration.

Posted by: sunday | Feb 17, 2008 9:09:24 PM

I'm basically against making abortion illegal but I believe it should not be funded by the government.
But Bill Clinton talking about how great he was on abortion (how many people have had to have abortions directly because of him, I wonder...?)
just rings phony to me.
The Clinton's want to be everyone's buddy and Mr. Clinton just gets pissed when he sees that there are people, and not small in number, who just don't like him. It hurts his feelings and more so, his pride, and so he attacks. He feels everyone should like him because everyone knows what a GREAT guy he is. And BTW, the writers don't write the headlines. That's done by edit whores who write stuff like, "Britney avoids death!" because she lives through another day.

Posted by: janice | Feb 17, 2008 9:10:23 PM

He said:
"That’s another thing you need is a president, somebody who will stick up for individual rights..."

He got that part right, but Hillary has not and will not do that... her history proves that she tramps on individual rights because "it's for society's/your own good/safety", and that is called SOCIALISM.

Doesn't anyone do research any more or even know the actual meaning of words?

Posted by: Constitutionalist#1 | Feb 17, 2008 9:17:42 PM

To all you right wingers: If you are so concerned about the lives of the
unborn quit dumping trillions of dollars in debt on them before they are
even born.

Posted by: jsac | Feb 17, 2008 9:19:26 PM

I'm an Obama supporter, but (for the first time this campaign) BRAVO PRESIDENT CLINTON!

Steubenville, OH, is home to the Franciscan University of Steubenville, rated the third most conservative college/university in the nation by US News. I have friends who have done graduate work there, and all I can say is they make Liberty University look like UC Berkley. Roe v. Wade is not going away, it shouldn't go away, and I'm disgusted by the conduct of these protesters.

Posted by: Jake | Feb 17, 2008 9:21:52 PM

I am pro-choice and have always believed the government should stay out of people's personal lives. If abortion is wrong, then we will be judged by God when we die.
But what about war and armies and "Thou shalt not kill?" Why is it acceptable to
kill people when they are all grown up? When we eliminate war, then I will sit down with you and talk about abortion.

Posted by: roni | Feb 17, 2008 9:22:27 PM

I am Sick and Tired of Bush/Clinton/Bush/?? more clinton, Geeze, give us a freaking break.
Gimme Obama or McCain but anyone other than a Clinton, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Fred Ali | Feb 17, 2008 9:26:17 PM

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