US Abortions Down 25% Since 1990 High

Not even 'conservative issue' for older generation: Goodman

(NEWSER) - Abortion has become “the purity test for remaining in the GOP’s inner circle,” writes Ellen Goodman in the Boston Globe: The Republican Party is shedding and shunning abortion-rights supporters it once called its own. But it wasn’t always that way—even “Mr. Conservative” Barry Goldwater supported a woman’s right to choose, saying it wasn’t “a conservative issue.” More»

Purists rip Dobson for praising limits, not full prohibition

(NEWSER) - The recent Supreme Court ruling against partial-birth abortions has ignited a battle among anti-abortion groups, the Washington Post reports. The bickering highlights a divide between groups working for a wholesale ban and those seeking limits. In newspaper ads, a religious coalition ripped the ruling as "wicked" and slammed longtime ally James Dobson of Focus on the Family for praising the decision. More»

No more vacillating: Rudy will test GOP will by backing abortion rights

(NEWSER) - Rudy Giuliani will cut the embarrassing equivocation and declare himself in favor of abortion rights in the coming days, reports the New York Times. The GOP frontrunner, who's drawn flak for trying to explain away his support for abortion in his mayoral days, will risk alienating the conservative portion of the Republican base. More»

What's a mother to do? It's up to her, says Salon

(NEWSER) - Surrogate moms-to-be who have learned they've been stiffed by out-of-cash firms that arranged their pregnancies face a major decision. The only way for these women to quit "working" is to obtain abortions, notes William Saletan in Slate. He fervently hopes the women will see their pregnancies through. So what's a woman to do? It's still up to her, no matter how convoluted the surrogate situation is, writes Tracy Clark-Flory in Salon. More»

(NEWSER) - Michael Steele has again stirred up some trouble with his Republican constituency, this time by making an intricate but obtuse argument about his stance on abortion, the Washington Post reports. In an interview with GQ, the RNC chair was asked if he supported a woman’s right to choose. “I think that's an individual choice,” he said, before quickly clarifying. “The states should make that choice.” More»