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Obama Calls for 'Open Minds, Fair-Minded Words'

By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff

Posted May 17, 2009 1:32 PM CDT

(Newser) – Speaking amid the swirl of controversy as his pro-choice views and the pro-life values of a Catholic university collided, President Obama today called for "open minds" and "fair-minded words" in Notre Dame's debate surrounding abortion, reports the AP. Amid heckles and students booing hecklers, Obama faced the treacherous issue head-on, conceding that while the two sides are "irreconcilable," open discourse could bring "at least the possibility of common ground."

"That's when we begin to say, 'Maybe we won't agree on abortion, but we can still agree that this is a heart-wrenching decision for any woman to make, with both moral and spiritual dimensions,'" Obama said. "So let's work together to reduce the number of women seeking abortions by reducing unintended pregnancies, and making adoption more available, and providing care and support for women who do carry their child to term. Let's honor the conscience of those who disagree with abortion, and draft a sensible conscience clause, and make sure that all of our health care policies are grounded in clear ethics and sound science, as well as respect for the equality of women."

An unknown protester is arrested for being on campus and protesting President Barack Obama giving the commencement address at Notre Dame, Sunday, May 17, 2009.
An unknown protester is arrested for being on campus and protesting President Barack Obama giving the commencement address at Notre Dame, Sunday, May 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Eric Y. Exit)
President Obama delivers the commencement speech during the 2009 graduation at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Sunday, May 17, 2009.
President Obama delivers the commencement speech during the 2009 graduation at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Sunday, May 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President Obama delivers the commencement speech during the 2009 graduation at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Sunday, May 17, 2009.
President Obama delivers the commencement speech during the 2009 graduation at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Sunday, May 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
A protester is escorted out as he heckles President Obama as he delivers the commencement speech during the 2009 graduation at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Sunday, May 17, 2009.
A protester is escorted out as he heckles President Obama as he delivers the commencement speech during the 2009 graduation at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Sunday, May 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
A protester is escorted out as he heckles President Obama as he delivers the commencement speech during the 2009 graduation at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Sunday, May 17, 2009.
A protester is escorted out as he heckles President Obama as he delivers the commencement speech during the 2009 graduation at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Sunday, May 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President Barack Obama talks with Notre Dame President the Rev. John Jenkins as he arrives to deliver the commencement speech during the 2009 graduation in South Bend, Ind. Sunday, May 17, 2009.
President Barack Obama talks with Notre Dame President the Rev. John Jenkins as he arrives to deliver the commencement speech during the 2009 graduation in South Bend, Ind. Sunday, May 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President Barack Obama waves as he arrives to deliver the commencement speech during the 2009 graduation in South Bend, Ind. Sunday, May 17, 2009.
President Barack Obama waves as he arrives to deliver the commencement speech during the 2009 graduation in South Bend, Ind. Sunday, May 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President Obama smiles after he receives an honorary degree during commencement at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Sunday, May 17, 2009.
President Obama smiles after he receives an honorary degree during commencement at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Sunday, May 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President Barack Obama is hooded as he receives an  Honorary Doctorate Degree in Laws during commencement at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., campus Sunday, May 17, 2009.
President Barack Obama is hooded as he receives an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Laws during commencement at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., campus Sunday, May 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
President Barack Obama receives an honorary degree during commencement exercises at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Sunday, May 17, 2009.
President Barack Obama receives an honorary degree during commencement exercises at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Sunday, May 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President Barack Obama delivers the commencement speech during the 2009 graduation at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Sunday, May 17, 2009.
President Barack Obama delivers the commencement speech during the 2009 graduation at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Sunday, May 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Alan Keyes, who was arrested on Friday and released, protests President Obama giving the commencement address at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., Sunday, May 17, 2009.
Alan Keyes, who was arrested on Friday and released, protests President Obama giving the commencement address at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., Sunday, May 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Eric Y. Exit)
Norma McCorvey, bottom center, is confronted by police after marching on campus at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., Sunday, May 17, 2009.
Norma McCorvey, bottom center, is confronted by police after marching on campus at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., Sunday, May 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Eric Y. Exit)
An unidentified woman protesting President Obama giving the commencement address at Notre Dame is led away by a security officer after being arrested in South Bend, Ind., Sunday, May 17, 2009.
An unidentified woman protesting President Obama giving the commencement address at Notre Dame is led away by a security officer after being arrested in South Bend, Ind., Sunday, May 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Eric Y. Exit)
President Barack Obama leaves the White House in Washington, Sunday, May 17, 2009, for South Bend, Ind. to deliver the commencement address at the University of Notre Dame.
President Barack Obama leaves the White House in Washington, Sunday, May 17, 2009, for South Bend, Ind. to deliver the commencement address at the University of Notre Dame.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Bishop John D'Arcy speaks at Notre Dame's Baccalaureate Mass Saturday May 16, 2009 in South Bend, Ind. D'Arcy declined an invitation to attend Obama's Commencement ceremony.
Bishop John D'Arcy speaks at Notre Dame's Baccalaureate Mass Saturday May 16, 2009 in South Bend, Ind. D'Arcy declined an invitation to attend Obama's Commencement ceremony.   (AP Photo/Joe Raymond)
President Barack Obama walks off Air Force One at Michiana Regional Airport in South Bend, Ind., Sunday May 17, 2009, prior to delivering the commencement address at the University of Notre Dame.
President Barack Obama walks off Air Force One at Michiana Regional Airport in South Bend, Ind., Sunday May 17, 2009, prior to delivering the commencement address at the University of Notre Dame.   (AP Photo/Joe Raymond)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
vendetta
May 18, 2009 12:08 PM CDT
Gay marriage, abortion, the right to choose, we will never surrender against control, against taking away rights. Keep up the good fight, this too shall pass as more people join us in reality and not in make believe religion land. And if there is a god, to you people that do believe in him and in the same breath spew a vile ammount of mindless rhetoric, I hope he is more forgiving than I.
Newser001
May 18, 2009 5:50 AM CDT
BlindSight, have you always lived in La-La Land...? Opinions are like a--holes, everyone has one. As a former Catholic, I believe I have a right to choose; not dictated to by theocratic mindset who attempt to rule through fear. The same who chastised da Vinci's work as blasphemous, a heretic, and continues to do so to this very day. You're preaching to the choir. Go cry on Rumsfeld's shoulder; you and he appear to share much in common...
newsrmandan
May 18, 2009 5:36 AM CDT
Seems to me like this debate boils down to this. The right and liberty of choice to kill the unborn on the left and the right of life for the unborn on the right. The truth is Margret Sanger would be totally flaborgasted by Obama and his pro-death stance. She would not know what to think. A black man (the exact race among others abortion was created to eliminate) holding her positions loudly and proudly. Before you castigate me read up on the lovely woman Margret Sanger and then let me know if you death ..oh I mean choice loving open minded people still think abortion is this great liberating freedom making and life enhancing this its made out to be. Shonangreg: your confusing the pro-choice stance don't be confused by the rhetoric that pro choice means anything else but death to babies. If its really true that pro-choice goal is to reduce abortions than make that clear. Being pro-choice is being pro-abortion end of story.

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