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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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Ohio for Barack Obama


Posted by: CMD RONALD ASHBURN | Feb 17, 2008 9:27:14 PM

Obama is pretty much a blank canvass on this issue wouldn't you say? Whatever his position is it's probably better than Hillary Clinton's, right ABC? By the way, the right wing fanatics are doing everything possible to send Hillary down in flames because they perceive Obama as a weaker target. Wake up Democrats.

Commandante Ashburn, you don't have the moral authority to put the name Bush in the same sentence with Clinton. Bush is the worst President of all time, Bill Clintion is in the top ten.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Feb 17, 2008 9:33:02 PM

I am pro-choice AND pro-life. And I vote.
All you nosy people, stop thinking you have a right to determine the country's political future and my life's direction by taking away a woman's right to choose.

Posted by: Anne Ross Lyon | Feb 17, 2008 9:33:35 PM

It looks like Bill Clinton made a lot of points I agree with and he attributed them to Hillary. Bill Clinton is an effective advocate for Hillary and all the blather that he isn't is coming from those folks who want to silence him because he is a wonderful campaign asset. There are those who say that Clinton did not lose his cool in this exchange but in fact gave a thrilling speech.

Posted by: Two-cats | Feb 17, 2008 9:43:21 PM

Everytime i log read any news is all Obama this and Obama that, and of course all positive, and guess who are following his every move, their supporters that have nothing better to do than to stand besides him like disciples. Come convention day all of you will get a rude awakening from the brainwashing. I never seen followers sooo brainwashed and clueless like the Obama followers. Get over it, and start reading the facts and who's best for our country, whether is Obama or Clinton. Its time to break from the 'yes we can' bubble already.

Posted by: PB | Feb 17, 2008 9:46:07 PM

I read the headline and thought this should be an interesting story. As I'm reading the story I realized I WAS THERE! I now know first hand not to believe what you read in the headlines. The more I think about it, it's actually confusing why the writer even thought of using this as the headline.

Posted by: larry | Feb 17, 2008 9:48:48 PM

I think we still need to let both parents of the unborn child decide together what should be done. Will anyone of you that says abortion is killing an unborn child be willing to care for that child when it is born. Someone needs to love, feed, cloth and raise that child. It not enough to want to make a decision for someone else without putting your time, talent and money where your mouth and actions have taken you and others. Hillary will work hard for us. As with all careers, it appears she works harder than any of the men running, they have had their chance. It is our turn. Look at our status in the world, economy, health care and other issues here at home, I doubt she could do worse than they have done for hundreds of years. Let us have a turn it. May the best win.

Posted by: patsy | Feb 17, 2008 9:48:54 PM

Hey PB,

Yes We Can - break free from the Clinton hold on our politics!!!!

Posted by: Fred Ali | Feb 17, 2008 9:49:41 PM

I agree with JSAC and am all for the Democrats cutting out of control government spending since they control congress and NOTHING, not one penny can be spent wiothout their approval.

Posted by: Johann | Feb 17, 2008 9:52:26 PM

Why are these protest happening only when Bill speaks??? Hmmmm,..seems like the Clintons found a new way of getting media coverage without paying for it! Setup all the way,...

Posted by: eXcellente360 | Feb 17, 2008 9:55:08 PM

See, this is the reason REAL feminist have issues with Hillary. She used to be a BONA FIDE feminist back in the day. She would have just stated abortion is the right of a woman. She wouldn't be making comments about it being such a terrible thing and should only be used in special occassions.

You want to know why todays fems such a Dowd and the others are not on her bandwagon? Well, that is the reason.

Others dislike her for her rude and condesending remarks about stay at home moms, and other women in general. She basically said they were good for nothing, empty headed, bon-bon eating trolls. And stupid for standing by a man that would disrepect a woman by cheating on her. See a transcript of the 60 minutes interview conducted in 1992 for evidence of this.

Looks like the new Hillary has a change of heart. Either it is a change of heart, kissing up for votes, or a lack of conviction. Either way, it's the markings of a flip-flopper.

Yet here these women are falling all over themselves to support her. Laughable.

Posted by: Angela | Feb 17, 2008 9:56:55 PM

hillary is the right person for the presidency,

Posted by: richard | Feb 17, 2008 10:05:37 PM

Change,hope,caring,and love.

We need someone that is about bringing change here in america I can't understand why people would want hillary clinton after all the mess she and her husband been in. Hillary takes money from lobbyist bill his affair and impeachment . So much baggage on both the clintons america needs change . Change does not mean bringing someone back to the white house that already has lived there
Barack Obama is change,hope,caring and love.
JOBS,HEALTHCARE,EDUCATION,Ect.
barack obama.

Posted by: frank | Feb 17, 2008 10:08:32 PM

The Clintos beliEve abortions should be rare and every option should be out there for women TO KEEP THEIR CHILDREN. Many MEN want to control women in evEry respect. They should start by paying child support. Stop hating women. Stop hating Hillary She is a christian woman Disagree is OK. Stop the HATE

Posted by: Texas lobo | Feb 17, 2008 10:12:42 PM

I hope whomever is elected, will work on a bi-partisan effort to retreat from the Iraq & Afghanistan theatre. America needs to bring home the troops by July 4,2009 I am not sure who to support for president, but I do like the Clinton family. Also, I really enjoy reading all your posts, and learning new viewpoints.

Posted by: Dennis Andrews | Feb 17, 2008 10:18:06 PM

Here we go again with a media guru asserting that Bill C was "Angry!" I admire his remarks and to him for standing up to these bully-jerks. Anger?? I doubt this behavior even comes close to his real anger. His words, however, are realistic in a jaded world. No politician is going to bring about a magic solution for the "pro-lifers" just by saying they will when he/she becomes President. I think Obama is probably a really nice, decent guy. But I think the present system in Washington will ring his bell when he tries to make something he promised on the campaign trail just happen. He doesn't have the political clout to deal with the power in D.C. I will vote for him if he becomes the candidate, but I would rather entrust getting things done to someone who has been there, understands the rats-ass way things get done there, and who has the clout to get something else done. Change just for the sake of change, in Obama's case, isn't necessarily good.

Posted by: Dr. Right | Feb 17, 2008 10:21:59 PM

CINCINATTI,OHIO FOR Barack Obama
get registered so we can send hillary back to ny

Posted by: Peter Smith | Feb 17, 2008 10:29:00 PM

Obama's supporters have a sense of entitlement change for the sake of change, too bad that this agent of change has no plans on how to bring change to this country, I will vote for John McCain If Obama is the Democratic nominee and I urge all Hillary's supporters to do the same.

Posted by: Antonn | Feb 17, 2008 10:30:24 PM

Bill Clinton is a control freak. He just can't stand anyone telling him what's up. Also he has no morals and values. Clintons have been around too long. Let's have a new start.

Posted by: Don Tangeman | Feb 17, 2008 10:36:25 PM

abortion is going to happen no matter what. Gays havn't stopped being gay since Sodom. Moral issues are always going to be issues. The poor we will always have with us. We can't abolish these things. But we can get our troops home and we can change our economy. Wait for Jesus to come back and take care of those who have no regard for life. Start working on the things that can be changed not the things that can't.

Posted by: terrie | Feb 17, 2008 10:36:41 PM

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