Bush tells abortion foes, 'We will prevail'

CNN.com ^ | 24 January 2006

[Aussie Dasher]

SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) -- President Bush told abortion opponents Monday that they are pursuing "a noble cause" and making a real difference in the campaign to recruit more Americans to stand on their side.

"We're working to persuade more of our fellow Americans of the rightness of our cause," the president told abortion foes gathered at the foot of Capitol Hill on a chilly, rainy day. He spoke by telephone from Manhattan, Kansas, where he was to give a speech.

"This is a cause that appeals to the conscience of our citizens and is rooted in America's deepest principle," the president said. "And history tells us that with such a cause we will prevail."

Supporters of abortion rights held a rally on Sunday, marking the 33rd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling, and urging the Senate to reject the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to succeed Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court. They held a candlelight vigil in front of the court, waving signs that read: "Alito--No Justice For Women," and "Keep Abortion Legal."

[Aussie Dasher]

No only will we prevail, we MUST prevail!

[dufekin]

Tactically I don't like this one bit. The President is right, but to prevail, we must disguise ourselves. The Alito nomination now teeters on the brink of defeat in the Senate when (and if) they should decide to vote on it. This speech might be just enough to prevent Alito from reaching the Supreme Court. Would he oppose the pro-death movement from the bench? I don't know. But any answer other than a resounding "NO" would cause the distinguished Senators to blather endlessly and vote never.

[Atlas Sneezed]

"Working to persuade"? Not very impressive stuff.

Makes me wonder why some folks here are so dead set against Condi. Because she won't give calculated lip service like Bush does?

[Tim Long]

I don't know if we'll prevail if the President will not have an abortion litmus test for justices.

[SonofLiberty1]

That is true Dufekin. But don't the ends here ultimately eclipse the means? Especially if it means lowering that 47 million and sticking by our guns (both morally AND constitutionally; I'm sure you will agree that the law is on our side here).

[Republican Wildcat]

The President is right, but to prevail, we must disguise ourselves.

Standing up for the right to life is not something to disguise.

[Always Right]

Tactically I don't like this one bit. The President is right, but to prevail, we must disguise ourselves. The Alito nomination now teeters on the brink of defeat in the Senate when (and if) they should decide to vote on it.

????? brink of defeat??? Are you serious? Alito is in if the GOP sticks to their guns.

[dufekin]

I don't see a majority--61 votes in the Senate--aligning behind Alito. And I know how wobbly and Liberal the Republicans are--especially the controlling RINO caucus. Their numbers extend considerably beyond the Gang of 14 compromisers. So I don't think the Republican Senators are capable of "sticking to their guns" enough to make the "nuclear" option viable. The pro-Alito forces may cobble together the necessary 61 affirmative votes (absent Senators don't count!), but we need the support of every Republican Senator (and we might not get even that; I haven't heard from the hard-core RINOs) plus at least 5 Democrats (if Jeffords sides with the Republicans, otherwise 6 Democrats). I just don't see those Democrats right now; all I've heard is Ben Nelson (DINO-NE).

[Reactionary]

"Abortion foes?"

Liberal idiot CNN is always true to form.

[Always Right]

Boy are you a defeatest. The Dems have not even seriously talked about actually filibustering and you are already to cave. Filibustering a well qualified candidate which most people support is a major thing. A supreme court justice has never been filibustered in our history. I know Teddy and a few may be trying to drum up the support, but I seriously doubt 40 dems will go along with it. It will paint the Democratic party as extremists and will create a precendent that will serve to bring our government into total gridlock. You think Hillary wants to support a filibuster? How would she ever get any judge appointed?

[Tim Long]

I think he does have one Tim; it is just not official.

Well, he said he wasn't going to leading up to the '04 election.

[Tim Long]

Whaddaya mean? He only needs 51.

[TAdams8591]

"You believe, as I do, that every human life has value, that the strong have a duty to protect the weak, and that the self-evident truths of the Declaration of Independence apply to everyone, not just to those considered healthy or wanted or convenient," Bush told the abortion foes.

"These principles call us to defend the sick and the dying, persons with disabilities and birth defects, all who are weak and vulnerable, especially unborn children," the president said.

Powerful and definitive remarks by the president in support of life. Most refreshing and encouraging!