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Obama Friend Wants Abortion Reduction Plank
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ShareJune 25, 2008 11:07 AM
ABC News' Teddy Davis and Gregory Wallace Report: Before the Democrats convene in Denver, the Rev. Jim Wallis plans to urge Barack Obama to go along with adding an “abortion reduction” plank to the party platform.
“Abortion reduction should be a central Democratic Party plank in this election,” Wallis told ABC News. “I’ll just say that flat out.”
Wallis, who hosted a Democratic candidates’ forum on CNN last year, discussed his plans after defending Obama against Dr. James Dobson’s charge that the Illinois Democrat distorted the traditional understanding of the Bible when he spoke to Wallis’s Sojourners group in 2006.
Beyond his plans to make a personal plea to Obama, Wallis said that he pitched the idea last week to DNC Chairman Howard Dean. The Rev. Tony Campolo, who sits on the party’s platform committee, also supports the plank and plans to push it, according to Wallis.
“This is going to be a big Denver conversation,” said Wallis. “You don’t have to call for criminalizing anyone. You don’t have to take a different stance about a woman’s right to choose. But you begin with the need for reducing abortion dramatically.”
The abortion reduction plank that Wallis envisions would call for making adoption easier, supporting low-income women, and stepping up pregnancy prevention efforts.
Without calling for restrictions such as parental consent laws, Wallis believes that if the Democrats were to alter their abortion platform, it could help them make inroads among young evangelicals and Catholics.
“Taking abortion seriously as a moral issue would help Democrats a great deal with a constituency that is already leaning in their direction on poverty and the environment,” said Wallis. “There are literally millions of votes at stake.”
Obama spokesman Bill Burton reacted to the concept of an abortion reduction plank by saying, "Sen. Obama has said repeatedly he wants to reduce unintended pregnancies, and has sponsored legislation to do just that. We welcome and listen to all voices in our platform process."
Obama backs two bills pertaining to preventing unintended pregnancies, according to Burton.
The Prevention First Act would increase funding for family planning and comprehensive sex education that teaches both abstinence and safe-sex methods. The Act would also expand insurance coverage of contraception, improve awareness about emergency contraception, and provide assistance to rape victims.
To combat unintended pregnancies in communities of color, Obama supports the Communities of Color Teach Prevention Act of 2007. The bill would provide grants to promote community-based services regarding teen pregnancy. It also would support research on teen pregnancy in communities of color.
June 25, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (90)
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As though it wasn't arrogant enough that Obama lounges around in his multi million dollar massion while re-designing the presidentail seal...he now wants to tell americans how they should interpret the bible.
Posted by: Richard | Jun 25, 2008 11:21:50 AM
I wish him luck.
Obama is pro abortion. One of the few in this country who was pro-infanticide. He sat on the bill in Illinois that would of stop Infanticide.
He wants a Democratic President so they can appoint a Supreme court justice who will not over turn rowe vs wade.
He even made comments that he would favor his own daughters having abortions than to have to suffer with a unwanted baby.
For Obama to take a major swing in the opposite side of abortion. It would make him look like a fool, since he is a major supported of abortion, and nothing has made him ease his decision on it at all.
Posted by: seah | Jun 25, 2008 11:27:10 AM
Obama told us to 'consume' less, told us to drive smaller cars and give up the SUVs, told us to set the thermostat higher, told us to 'share our slice of pie', to pay more taxes and now he adds abortion control. If this is not socialism/comunist platform then I don't know what is. Enough already with all this governement imposed control.
Posted by: ex-democrat | Jun 25, 2008 11:28:53 AM
seah
Obama is for a woman's personal right to choose in a horrible situation. Not "for" abortion...
do you ever come out with a statment using a fact...ever.
Posted by: dl | Jun 25, 2008 11:29:03 AM
Who does Jane Roe support?
Posted by: Sally | Jun 25, 2008 11:30:20 AM
Richard you also have to speak to those who do not follow the bible as closely and do not use it to base their decisions.
Posted by: marie | Jun 25, 2008 11:31:19 AM
seah your an idiot...To be pro choice and also be pro education / reduction is not a contradiction
Posted by: Jim | Jun 25, 2008 11:33:31 AM
Richard,
That's not what Obama is doing. I bet you didn't even hear his speech.
McCain has EIGHT houses. And you want to rip Obama for his house? Lounging around his house? Where the hell have you been? he spent only 10 full days at home last year. Back away from the glue...
Posted by: Craig | Jun 25, 2008 11:34:23 AM
ex-democrat....there is nothing about abortion control. it is about improving the factors that lead to it.
Posted by: marie | Jun 25, 2008 11:34:58 AM
'Richard' and the rest of the Dobsoniacs are misled by their 'spiritual leader'. James Dobson is a false prophet who uses his forked tongue to say that he may not vote for John McCain although everyone knows Dobson is a GOP straight-ticket all the way. He condemns all Democrats with generalizations that are misinterpreted, non-contextual, and flat out falsifications. He knowingly and willingly condemns all Democrats... yet sits on his hands and turns a blind eye to the crimes and sins of the GOP leadership. Go ahead, Dr. Dobson, toss another stone... but don't forget to pick up another case of Windex for your house.
Posted by: Champ | Jun 25, 2008 11:38:33 AM
The lawmakers who voted to allow for partial birth abortions should experience the procedure.
Posted by: Jamie | Jun 25, 2008 11:46:19 AM
Seah...I was unaware that Christianity was a new and emerging religion.
Posted by: marie | Jun 25, 2008 11:50:34 AM
marie - it's about the fact that I am tired of beeing told what I should and should not do. I am a free person I am free to make my decisions I am free to drive whatever car I want, I am free to eat whatever I want. I don't want to be controlled like I am a stupid child - I don't want to be told I can not smoke, I can not eat saturated fats, I can not drive my Hummer I can not have an abortion if I choose to have one. This is about the freedom principle - this is aboit the principles America was founded on. Obama does not respect them.
Posted by: ex-democrat | Jun 25, 2008 11:52:19 AM
Ex-democrat...he is not telling you you can't do anything. Where are you getting this crap?
Posted by: marie | Jun 25, 2008 11:56:22 AM
ex-democrat- What about the babies rights to life and liberty. Are you for legalizing partial birth abortions? If so, it should be open season on everybody.
Posted by: abortionsucks | Jun 25, 2008 11:57:12 AM
Guys check out these great article:
"The Country I Lie To"
Obama LIES on his first general election ad! Also, a short background check on Obama's VP adviser; Eric Holder.
http://savagepolitics.com/?p=800
"Tyrants or Children"
Kim Jong Il and his North Korean murderers endorse Barack Obama. Also, a short profile of Cindy McCain and her charity work.
Posted by: chloe | Jun 25, 2008 12:01:03 PM
Far too many girls/women used abortion as simple birth control instead of just saying NO. I am for pro-choice when the pg is the result of rape, incest, etc but not because two people chose to HAVE FUN on Saturday night. Abortion should not be impossible to get but much harder to get. Just saying NO is a lot less painful and expensive.
Posted by: Mary | Jun 25, 2008 12:05:36 PM
Mary - Good argument. I am conflicted on this issue, and of course there will never be concensus. If people just followed some set of moral standards we might reduce the number of these killings, but I think the moral fabric of our nation is too far gone.
Posted by: Huh | Jun 25, 2008 12:07:53 PM
Wow, 1.5 million babies a year. These abortion docs must be soleless sociopaths. How much do they get paid for ripping a baby apart anyway?
Posted by: Pal | Jun 25, 2008 12:15:42 PM
But again. everyone is missing the point. This is platform would provide prevention and hopefully reduction in abortions.
Posted by: marie | Jun 25, 2008 12:22:29 PM
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