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Dem: Not Having Abortion Is Palin's 'Primary Qualification'
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ShareSeptember 10, 2008 8:36 PM
ABC News' Teddy Davis, Bret Hovell, and Arnab Datta report: A Democratic Party leader said Wednesday that Sarah Palin's "primary qualification" for the vice presidency is that she has not had an abortion, prompting Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., to charge that Democrats are trying to "demean" the governor of Alaska and "wipe out" all of her accomplishments because she "disagrees with the NARAL crowd on one issue."
"Our Democratic colleagues are, quite frankly, in a meltdown," said Graham, referring to comments that South Carolina Democratic Party chairwoman Carol Fowler made to Politico. "I hope that [Sen. Obama] will take this opportunity to step out and get this campaign back on track, and reject this really outrageous, demeaning statement to someone who has accomplished a lot in her life other than not having an abortion."
Fowler did not dispute the accuracy of the Politico report. She responded to the uproar caused by her remarks by issuing a paper statement apologizing to anyone who was offended by her comments. Fowler said she was "clumsily" trying to make a point about single-issue voters.
"I personally admire and respect the difficult choices that women make every day, and I apologize to anyone who finds my comment offensive," said Fowler in her statement. "I clumsily was making a point about people in South Carolina who may vote based on a single issue. Whether it’s the environment, the economy, the war, or a woman’s right to choose, there are people who will cast their vote based on a single issue. That was the only point I was attempting to make."
Graham made his comments on a conference call arranged by the McCain campaign. He was joined on the call with reporters by Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., who sought to portray Fowler's comments as fitting into a broader pattern of sexism.
"What we are seeing is a pattern that has come into play," said Blackburn. "You can go back to the remark that Sen. Obama made to a reporter back during the primary, claiming she was referred to as 'sweetie.' And then, moving forward, he passed over Sen. Clinton, and many feel like he also passed over Gov. Sebelius, both as running mates, and then the lipstick comment that he made yesterday."
Obama spokesman Nick Shapiro responded to Fowler's comments, saying, "She was not speaking for our campaign, just as John McCain has said state parties don’t speak for him. But, obviously, this does not reflect our view."
Shapiro's comment was a reference to McCain saying earlier this year that he could not stop the North Carolina Republican Party from airing an ad against Democratic gubernatorial candidates, which featured the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Obama's controversial former pastor.
A McCain spokesman distinguished the Arizona senator's posture toward the North Carolina GOP by noting that McCain -- rather than one of his aides -- personally spoke out against the state party's ad, even while acknowledging that he was powerless to stop it.
"What she said was beyond the pale," said McCain spokesman Brian Rogers. "I think Barack Obama needs to step up and speak to this. This kind of stuff has no place in this campaign."
September 10, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (338)
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ron;
You sir, are 'Uppity'.
The last time I checked Webster's Dictionary, it is a standard word within the English vernacular.
While you are at it, look up the word 'vernacular'. I spelled it out for you.
So much for the Democratic 'Great Society' education policies that have so failed the American Public at the taxpayer's expense.
Your 'Ebonics' be damned...
Posted by: richasis | Sep 10, 2008 9:37:34 PM
When you can't beat them with ideas, try sleaze and personal attacks. ZeroBama is getting a little desperate.
Posted by: Joaquin B. | Sep 10, 2008 9:38:00 PM
We have lost all dignity here. First of all, this democractic official should have known better. This was totally a low blow.
Second, to the democratic women who feel Sarah Palin is putting her career over her famly, you are the party that says there are no limitations, remember?
Second, why do you seem to feel that Sarah's youngest wouldn't receive better medical care as a VP's child than he would in the far north of Alaska? really, come on now.
Posted by: TT | Sep 10, 2008 9:38:21 PM
That's a pretty low blow. I cant help but to laugh at the Dem meltdown going on. Nancy Pelosi pushed Prince Barak down the dems throats at the expense of Hillary....who BTW would be faring better right now than Obama if she were the nominee. I was going to vote for HRC...I might vote McCain...I sure as hell will not vote for Obama.
Posted by: Maximeliano | Sep 10, 2008 9:39:33 PM
Don't minimize Palin by demeaning her because she is pro-life. These new polls have me (a life time democrat) completely thrilled. Cheaters never prosper, Barack. Don't be expecting Hillary to do your misogynistic dirty work against Palin for you either.
To think,Barack, you could have had the most experienced, gracious, intelligent, tough female running mate by your side; but, alas, your big fat arrogant ego just couldn't take it.
I'm really gonna dig it when that younger, more attractive hocky mom sends you and your pompous DNC (which, by the way, stands for Does Not Connect) to political H-E-double hocky sticks!!!!
Barack Obama, you're one arrogant piece of work.
Posted by: ShouldaCouldaWoulda | Sep 10, 2008 9:43:00 PM
The dems are desperate and sinking below bottom line!
This is even more outrageous and blunt than Obama's "lipstick on pig" subtle attack.
Posted by: victory | Sep 10, 2008 9:43:39 PM
The evidence is mounting and the impact is clear. Obama is using carefully crafted tactics aimed at influencing the misogynistic wing of the Democratic Party in hopes of corralling all their votes. I predict he will be highly successful. Way to go Obama!
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Sep 10, 2008 9:47:23 PM
"We have lost all dignity here. First of all, this democractic official should have known better. This was totally a low blow.
Second, to the democratic women who feel Sarah Palin is putting her career over her famly, you are the party that says there are no limitations, remember?
Second, why do you seem to feel that Sarah's youngest wouldn't receive better medical care as a VP's child than he would in the far north of Alaska? really, come on now."
Well put, TT!
Posted by: Lovesthiscountry | Sep 10, 2008 9:49:28 PM
I,m calling for Ms. Fowler to reasign as chair of the DNC for S.C.effective immeadiatly. This woman has no place in the national debate. Period.
Posted by: JB | Sep 10, 2008 9:49:44 PM
Matt Damon or whatever from the Bourn Extreme just showed himself to be the same kind of moron as a butt load of other actors are in an interview today. He's just one more pretty boy actor that actually takes himself seriously that I will never spend money to watch again.
Posted by: beowulf1 | Sep 10, 2008 9:50:21 PM
The lacking of character among the democratic politicians are forcing democrats to vote for republicans.
McCain has the gut to take on his own party when they are wrong! Palin did the same thing. That shows their character!
Posted by: victory | Sep 10, 2008 9:53:20 PM
But isn't that her only qualification or did I miss something?
Posted by: Suze1 | Sep 10, 2008 9:55:27 PM
The McCain Campaign uses these hate lobbyist against Obama. These shameful people haveworked with the following companies. Lets stop supporting them ASAP until they denounce McCain. Let’s stick together and ban these businesses: Google, Verizon, US Airways, Dell, Fannie Mae, General Motors,United Technologies, Hewlett Packard, Exxon and Land of Lakes. And If McCain wins lets still boycott these companies for four years and FOX news.
Posted by: kim | Sep 10, 2008 9:57:59 PM
The McCain Campaign uses these hate lobbyist against Obama. These shameful people haveworked with the following companies. Lets stop supporting them ASAP until they denounce McCain. Let’s stick together and ban these businesses: Google, Verizon, US Airways, Dell, Fannie Mae, General Motors, United Technologies, Hewlett Packard, Exxon and Land of Lakes. And If McCain wins lets boycott these companies and FOX news.
Posted by: kim | Sep 10, 2008 10:00:30 PM
i can't find one achievement of the great black dope's, one personal tie, one family story that would make me vote for him.
further, he releases the usual attack maggots, then claims no ties to them.
this manchild is too much of a personally flawed immature candidate to be potus
Posted by: theSwimmah | Sep 10, 2008 10:08:11 PM
Obama's mother should also be qualified then. She did not have an abortion either.
Posted by: jon | Sep 10, 2008 10:09:31 PM
dear kim,
don't forget your lunch when you get on the short yellow bus tomorrow.
Posted by: akdafool | Sep 10, 2008 10:10:12 PM
Getting back to the issues for a minute, John McCain has an unmitigated anti-women voting record.
Take for example, his support for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Here we have the case of a woman who proved in a court of law that her employer, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company intentionally discriminated against her because she is a woman.
Remarkably, the Republican court told her that she was barred from suing due to the fact that she hadn't filed within 180 days of being hired! How was she supposed to sue when the salaries were secret?
What did the Democrats do? They wrote a law to reverse the Republican court and return the law to its previous interpretation.
What did the Republican's do? They FILIBUSTERED the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, showing once and for all that they don't have one ounce of decency.
What did John McCain do? He supported the filibuster and said that women like Lilly Ledbetter 'should work harder'.
Put lipstick on that pig!
Posted by: John's conscience | Sep 10, 2008 10:14:06 PM
Amending my last post:
'Take for example John McCain's opposition to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.
Posted by: John's conscience | Sep 10, 2008 10:16:24 PM
Fowler joins the list of other democratic women who are stuck in this whole abortion focus. Women care about how other women are treated. It's fine to disagree, but you don't have to demean people especially other women. When will Obama give a speech on sexism?
Posted by: rafraf | Sep 10, 2008 10:17:55 PM
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