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Abortion Activists Split Over Obama Comment

Remarks on late-term exceptions draw ire, support

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 10, 2008 3:07 PM CDT

(Newser) – A brief budge from a purely pro-choice position by Barack Obama last week drew a heavy round of responses from the reproductive-rights crowd, Politico notes. The blowback came after Obama said to a Christian magazine that health exceptions to a late-term abortion ban shouldn’t extend to women merely “feeling blue.” NOW’s president criticized Obama for playing into the "wingnut argument"—that women have abortions for frivolous reasons.

The former NARAL chief, on the other hand, argued that Barack was in fact countering the wingnut argument: “Obama was making it clear that he doesn’t believe that is what women do and what the law allows.” Another response from activists was simple bewilderment: one boasted of Obama’s “excellent” voting record on the issue—and said now there’s “some confusion where there shouldn’t be any.”

Michelle Obama and Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, second from right, during a working women's round table discussion.
Michelle Obama and Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, second from right, during a working women's round table discussion.   (AP Photo/Gary Malerba)
Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., laughs as he is introduced onstage during a campaign stop Thursday, July 10, 2008 in New York.
Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., laughs as he is introduced onstage during a campaign stop Thursday, July 10, 2008 in New York.   (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Democratic Presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.,  speaks at the Planned Parenthood Public Affairs Conference in Washington, Tuesday, July 17, 2007.
Democratic Presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at the Planned Parenthood Public Affairs Conference in Washington, Tuesday, July 17, 2007.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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