The Boston Fog Rolls Over Kerry's Position on Abortion

George W. Bush ^ | May 19, 2004

[RWR8189]

The Boston Fog Report
An ongoing examination of John Kerry’s “nuances and shades of gray in both foreign and domestic policy.” (Editorial, “A Primary Endorsement,” The New York Times, 2/26/04)

for·a·gainst adverb.

1. To be both for and against something at the same time: e.g. “I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it.” (Glen Johnson, “Kerry Blasts Bush On Protecting Troops,” The Boston Globe, 3/17/04)

"John Kerry's reversal today on appointing pro-choice judges shows a startling lack of conviction on an issue that someone seeking the presidency should approach with principled clarity."

-Steve Schmidt, Bush-Cheney '04 Spokesman

KERRY SAYS HE MAY APPOINT PRO-LIFE JUDGES …


Kerry Says He Would Appoint Anti-Abortion Judges. "'Do they have to agree with me on everything? No,' Kerry said. Asked if they must agree with his abortion-rights views, he quickly added, 'I will not appoint somebody with a 5-4 Court who's about to undue Roe v. Wade. I've said that before.' 'But that doesn't mean that if that's not the balance of the court I wouldn't be prepared ultimately to appoint somebody to some court who has a different point of view. I've already voted for people like that. I voted for Judge Scalia.'" (Ron Fournier, "Kerry Open to OK Anti-Abortion Judges," The Associated Press, 5/19/04)

Kerry Calls Himself "Strict Constructionist." "Calling himself a strict constructionist, a phrase Bush has used to describe himself, Kerry paraphrased former Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart and said: 'A good justice is somebody that when you read their decisions you can't tell if they are Republican or Democratic or liberal or conservative, a Christian or a Jew, a Muslim, male or female. You just know you're reading a good judicial opinion.'" (Ron Fournier, "Kerry Open to OK Anti-Abortion Judges," The Associated Press, 5/19/04)

Kerry Boasts Of Having Approved Pro-life Judges. "Kerry said he has voted in favor of 'any number of judges who are pro-life or pro-something else that I may not agree with,' some of whom were nominated by Republican presidents." (Ron Fournier, "Kerry Open to OK Anti-Abortion Judges," The Associated Press, 5/19/04)

BUT KERRY PROMISED PRO-CHOICE LITMUS TEST IN THE PRIMARIES …

Kerry Says He Will Provide Abortion Rights Supporters "Clearest Possible Choice" In Kerry/Bush Contest. "And if elected president, I will nominate judges who will seek to expand rights and opportunities-not reduce them. In this area, anyone who values a woman's right to choose in particular or constitutional privacy rights in general will have the clearest possible choice between me and President Bush in 2004." (Sen. John Kerry, A Call To Service, 2003, p. 182)

Kerry Stated He Would Only Support Nominees Who Pledge To Uphold Roe V. Wade. "The potential retirement of Supreme Court justices makes the 2004 presidential election especially important for women, Senator John F. Kerry told a group of female Democrats yesterday, and he pledged that if elected president he would nominate to the high court only supporters of abortion rights under its Roe v. Wade decision. … 'Any president ought to appoint people to the Supreme Court who understand the Constitution and its interpretation by the Supreme Court. In my judgment, it is and has been settled law that women, Americans, have a defined right of privacy and that the government does not make the decision with respect to choice. Individuals do.'" (Glen Johnson, "Kerry Vows Court Picks To Be Abortion-Rights Supporters," The Boston Globe, 4/9/03)

KERRY CLAIMS HE "HASN'T PLAYED GAMES" WITH ABORTION

Kerry Says He's Only Presidential Candidate "Who Hasn't Played Games" With Abortion Issue. "'I'm the only candidate running for president who hasn't played games, fudged around,' said Kerry, a Massachusetts senator. 'If you believe that choice is a constitutional right, and I do, and if you believe that Roe v. Wade is the embodiment of that right ... I will not appoint a justice to the Supreme Court of the United States who will undo that right.'" (Mike Glover, "Kerry Says No 'Games' On Abortion," The Associated Press, 1/26/04)

[Lexinom]

Kerry Calls Himself "Strict ConstructionistObstructionist."

[Texas Eagle]

Kerry Calls Himself "Strict Constructionist."

I'd call him more of a "Thorough Fabricationist".

[Cicero]

Kerry has almost completely avoided talking about his record.

Kerry has the most liberal record of any Senator presently in office. And he has one of the most liberal records on abortion. A number of Democrats broke ranks on Partial Birth Abortion, but not Kerry.

As a rule, the record is a better guide than campaign promises. And on most issues, Kerry's record is abysmal.

[Texas Eagle]

I voted for Judge Scalia.'"

Hmmmmm.....this information could come in handy. I wonder how many other RATS voted for Scalia. I doubt if any of President Bush's judicial nominees are any more Conservative than Scalia. And if they were okay with Scalia, then they should have no reason to oppose any of President Bush's judges.

If only Republican Senators had the nads to use that argument.