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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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 SLIDESHOW 
22

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

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(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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President Obama speaks at Notre Dame.   (msnbc)

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22 comments
VIEWING:
 
Newser001
May 17, 09 1:51 PM CDT
Steele, GOP - STFU! You have enough problems in your own house; stop throwing stones, f-ing hypocrites. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+7
IN RESPONSE:
ClearSight
May 17, 09 6:38 PM CDT
An open mind is an empty mind...... I see your taking the American dictators suggestion to heart.
Vote up! Vote down!
-8
IN RESPONSE:
Snarfeh
May 17, 09 11:02 PM CDT
Clear, I'm not exactly a fan of Obama; I simply am a Democrat who mostly supports the party platform, but not on all issues. If you could ask my friends, they would tell you I have predicted much of what he has done...or, has not done, as the case may be. But if he is a dictator in your mind, or ultimately actually becomes one, it is only because the dictator who came before him opened alllll the doors for a dictatorship to flourish in this country. The Patriot Act is just one of the doors created and opened by Bush, Rove and Cheney, and domestic spying is another door opened by the same three fascist pigs. Limiting personal bankruptcy right before taking down our economy is yet another way the Bush-Rove-Cheney trio made it easy to put people away for "crimes" against corporations. Using the media to tell us what to think and how we should define "patriot" was a special talent of the neo-cons. Remember the stupid freedom fries? Mission accomplished? Need I go on? I daresay, I do not...
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
ClearSight
May 18, 09 10:54 AM CDT
Snarfeh, I look at whats happening with Obama as the culmination of a long series of events that go back through Republican and Democrat administrations. What Obama brings, is this dangerous messianic following, combined with his documented Marxist beliefs. I've read both his books and have analyzed whats been written and his documented associations and their beliefs. I agree that the Bush has caused extreme damage to our Republics freedom. If the left is so ready to bash bush policies then let them repeal the Patriot Act(sic). If Obama would do that then I might moderate my level of discourse, but they will not do that. They will continue to fault Bush, but use his policies and if anything continue to build off its success(sic).
Vote up! Vote down!
0
Lula
May 17, 09 2:15 PM CDT
Yes, Newer001, the Republicans are all hyocrites. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2

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The full text of Obama's speech
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A key moment for Obama with Catholic voters
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GOP's Steele thinks honorary degree 'inappropriate'
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