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Why Obama Keeps Quiet on Abortion

Why pro-choice advocates are tepid on the Freedom of Choice Act

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 2, 2009 6:20 PM CST
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(Newser) – President Obama has promised to pass a "Freedom of Choice Act" to ban abortion restrictions, yet hasn't lifted a finger; nor have pro-choice advocates raised a fuss. With Democrats in Congress and a liberal national mood, why not strike now? Because the controversy over partial-birth abortion settled the issue years ago, Jon A. Shields writes in The New Republic.

With grisly drawings of speared fetuses, pro-life groups turned the public against the procedure, and abortion in general. But the partial-birth abortion ban also robbed pro-lifers of “one of the few campaigns that moved the national conscience," writes Shields. Simultaneously, it made Roe v. Wade acceptable—after all, Americans concluded, "our abortion laws are relatively restrictive." Now both sides of the debate prefer to keep quiet.

Abortion opponents march past the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, during the annual March for Life.
Abortion opponents march past the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, during the annual March for Life.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Abortion rights supporters and anti-abortion supporters march in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, during the annual March for Life.
Abortion rights supporters and anti-abortion supporters march in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, during the annual March for Life.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President Barack Obama introduces Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as his nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary, Monday, March 2, 2009, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.
President Barack Obama introduces Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as his nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary, Monday, March 2, 2009, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Anti-abortion supporters and abortion rights supporters stand in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, during the annual March for Life.
Anti-abortion supporters and abortion rights supporters stand in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, during the annual March for Life.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
Doctor-Zaius
Mar 4, 2009 6:14 AM CST
You would be wrong. Most people who are against abortion are pro-death penalty. Look it up.
northeast
Mar 2, 2009 10:43 PM CST
Which ones are these? I figured that most pro-life advocates were against any sort of human suffering...remember, church groups are constantly visiting the third world. If you wanted a legitimate complaint about their apparent hypocrisy, I'd point you to their support of the death penalty.
northeast
Mar 2, 2009 10:43 PM CST
Boring. Did not read.

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Politics • Health • US

 
Barack Obama • abortion • partial birth • pro-life • pro-choice activists • Obama administration • President Obama • Freedom of Choice Act

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