FROM NARAL PRO-CHOICE AMERICA
January 24, 2008
A Message to Pro-Choice Voters Regarding the Democratic Presidential
Primary
Nancy Keenan is president of NARAL Pro-Choice America.
This week Americans mark the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, a milestone that coincides with the 2008 presidential election. As we celebrate this occasion, and this critical time for women's reproductive freedom, NARAL Pro-Choice America is proud that we have such strong pro-choice candidates like
Sens. Hillary Clinton
http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/election
s/statements/clinton.html
and
Barack Obama
http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/election
s/statements/obama.html
and former Sen. John Edwards
http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/election
s/statements/edwards.html
running for president.
http://www.bushvchoice.com/archives/2008 01/a_message_to_pr.html
As the political leader of the pro-choice movement, NARAL Pro-Choice
America has researched the voting records, public comments, and actions of each of the candidates and shared the information we've documented with the more than one-million activists, supporters, and members our organization represents.
http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/election
s
Beginning in Iowa, continuing into New Hampshire, and now in South Carolina and the states voting in the February 5 contests, there has been an undercurrent of speculation and innuendo that calls into question Sen. Obama's record on choice.
This has the potential to divide the pro-choice community and create tension where none should exist. Today, for the sake of our issue and our movement, I am asking that these tactics stop.
As someone who spent nearly two decades as an elected official before coming to
NARAL Pro-Choice America, I know that, in the heat of the campaign,
charges and counter-charges are made in the honest belief that one
candidate is somehow better than another. I get that.
<http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/about-us/meet-nancy>
Let me be clear: Here are the facts pro-choice voters need as they head
to the polls, whether this weekend in South Carolina, on "Tsunami
Tuesday" to vote for the Democratic Party's nominee, or on November 4
when we all vote for the next president of the United States: Sens.
Clinton, Edwards, and Obama are fully pro-choice. NARAL Pro-Choice
America endorsed all three candidates in their previous campaigns. All
of the candidates have voted pro-choice; have publicly affirmed that
they are pro-choice; and have taken actions that back up their
pro-choice voting records and statements. All three candidates endorse
the Freedom of Choice Act
http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/issues/a
bortion/access-to-abortion/freedom-of-ch
oice-act.html
which would codify Roe and protect the right to choose for future generations. Sens.
Clinton, Edwards, and Obama have steadfastly supported and defended a woman's right to make the most personal, private decisions regarding her reproductive health without interference from government or politicians.
NARAL Pro-Choice America has not yet endorsed a candidate for president
because there are such equally strong pro-choice contenders in the
Democratic primary. We understand that other organizations have made
different decisions; we respect that. But our collective long-term goal
as a pro-choice movement must be to advance the cause.
This focus on nonexistent differences between the pro-choice candidates
distracts from the real goal. We must focus our fight on defeating the
anti-choice Republican candidates who have called for the overturn of
Roe.
NARAL Pro-Choice America will continue to support pro-choice candidates
and defend them all against attacks. We can only hope that in the
future, we, as a unified pro-choice community, will be defending against
anti-choice politicians, not one another.
|
|
|
Permalink :: 26 Comments :: Post a Comment
|
In order to post a comment, you must be logged in. If you have a member account, please log in to comment.
If not, you can make an account right here. It's quick and free.
