Anti-Abortion 'Extremists' Got Nothing on Prez

Zealous Notre Dame protests will further hurt their cause

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted May 17, 2009 11:34 AM CDT

(Newser) – Randall Terry and other “Catholic extremists” will lead protests against President Obama’s speech at Notre Dame today—but their anti-abortion zealotry will only continue to hurt their cause, writes Frances Kissling in Salon. “The idea that anything goes in fighting abortion died” in the ‘90s when providers were shot, but that hasn’t stopped an “unapologetic” Terry from parading a blood-covered doll around the campus.

Some 74 American bishops are also standing against Obama’s speech and receipt of an honorary degree. But Notre Dame is likely following the lead of a former university president who “decried the bishops' unyielding opposition to abortion.” The “smooth and disciplined” Obama will probably keep quiet on the issue in his speech, but if he mentions it, he’ll do it in terms that helped him win over a portion of Catholics in the election.

[Images (3)]

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Alan Keyes, former Republican presidential candidate, is arrested during an anti-abortion protest Friday, May 15, 2009 in South Bend, Indiana. (AP Photo/Joe Raymond)

Randall A. Terry, founder of Operation Rescue, talks about his group's plan to get arrested during a protest during the Democratic National Convention last year. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Father Norman Weslin is carried on a blanket by Notre Dame police after his arrest during an anti-abortion protest Friday, May 15, 2009 in South Bend, Indiana. (AP Photo/Joe Raymond)

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Obama yoked the strongest possible feminist affirmation of the right to choose abortion to his message of abortion reduction—and many pro-life Catholics voted for him anyway. - Frances Kissling

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Anti-Abortion 'Extremists' Got Nothing on Prez