[McCain warning] Republican Candidates Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul Lead Pro-Life Rallies:

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 25, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Pro-life GOP presidential contenders Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee both took part in leading pro-life rallies in Washington and Atlanta protesting 35 years of abortion since the infamous 1973 Roe v. Wade decision and called for legislation protecting life from the moment of conception. Republican frontrunner John McCain, however, reiterated his support for embryo destroying stem-cell research even as his Senate colleague Sam Brownback reaffirmed his endorsement of McCain at the National March for Life.

"The debate about when life begins should not be a debate," Rep. Ron Paul told the tens of thousands of marchers rallied together on the Washington Mall. "Let me assure you that all life begins at conception."

Paul, an OB/GYN doctor who delivered more than 4,000 babies in his career, told the crowds that in medical school he "quickly learned" that "when I dealt with a pregnant woman I always had two patients."

Paul has sponsored pro-life bills such as H.R. 300, which would nullify the legal force of Roe v. Wade by removing the ability of federal courts to interfere with state laws regarding abortion. Paul also wrote legislation that would define life as beginning at conception (H.R. 1094) and renewed his call to make legal protections for life from conception.

Paul has gained the endorsement of Norma McCorvey, "Jane Roe" of Roe v. Wade, who is reported in a press release from the Paul campaign as saying, "He has never wavered on the issue of being pro-life and has a voting record to prove it." McCorvey goes on to say, "He understands the importance of civil liberties for all, including the unborn. "

"After taking all of the presidential candidates into consideration, it is obvious that Ron Paul is the only one that doesn't just talk the talk," McCorvey stated.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee also led a record crowd of more than 5,000 pro-life demonstrators at a rally in Atlanta organized by Georgia Right to Life to show his support for a new state amendment that would directly challenge the foundations of Roe v. Wade.

"The Paramount Right to Human Life Amendment" or HR 536 sponsored by Rep. Martin Scott, R-Rossville would define human life as beginning at conception and state life is a right to be held above all others.

"We're in the middle of 35 years of a national nightmare that needs to end soon," Huckabee said. "I've always said I got into politics because I'm pro-life."

"There cannot be a geographical distinction when it comes down to something that is either right or wrong," Huckabee continued. "The logic that each of the states can come up with their own definition of how to respect human life is the logic of the Civil War. And we saw how that turned out." Huckabee emphasized that abortion "is not a political issue, it is a moral issue" and called for a similar amendment protecting life to the US constitution. The candidate did not mention his own run for the GOP nomination, which is struggling from lack of funds. Huckabee has received the endorsement of Georgia Right to Life.

While campaigning in Florida where he hopes to pick up another primary win, Arizona Sen. John McCain told the Catholic News Agency (CNA) that he still stands by his support for embryonic stem-cell research on what he called "surplus" embryos. The statements came even as staunchly pro-life Sen. Sam Brownback repeated his strong endorsement of McCain at the National March for Life and tried to reassure the crowds of McCain's pro-life credentials. McCain's choice appeared to convey the agony of "personally pro-life" politicians who support legal abortion saying his vote was "a very agonizing and tough decision."

"All I can say to you is that I went back and forth, back and forth on it and I came in on one of the toughest decisions I've ever had, in favor of that research. And one reason being very frankly is those embryos will be either discarded or kept in permanent frozen status," he told CNA. McCain then added, "I understand how divisive this is among the pro-life community."

The latest poll from NBC and the Wall Street Journal shows Sen. McCain as the national frontrunner with 29% support, followed by Huckabee with 23 percent, former Gov. Mitt Romney at 20 percent, Rudy Giuliani at 15 percent, and Ron Paul at 4 percent. McCain and Romney are currently neck-and-neck going into Florida, January 29, the last primary before the Super Tuesday primary on February 5.

Statement of Faith

By Rep. Ron Paul, MD.

The Covenant News ~

We live in times of great uncertainty when men of faith must stand up for our values and our traditions lest they be washed away in a sea of fear and relativism. As you likely know, I am running for President of the United States, and I am asking for your support.

I have never been one who is comfortable talking about my faith in the political arena. In fact, the pandering that typically occurs in the election season I find to be distasteful. But for those who have asked, I freely confess that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior, and that I seek His guidance in all that I do. I know, as you do, that our freedoms come not from man, but from God. My record of public service reflects my reverence for the Natural Rights with which we have been endowed by a loving Creator.

I have worked tirelessly to defend and restore those rights for all Americans, born and unborn alike. The right of an innocent, unborn child to life is at the heart of the American ideal of liberty. My professional and legislative record demonstrates my strong commitment to this pro-life principle.

In 40 years of medical practice, I never once considered performing an abortion, nor did I ever find abortion necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman. In Congress, I have authored legislation that seeks to define life as beginning at conception, H.R. 1094. I am also the prime sponsor of H.R. 300, which would negate the effect of Roe v Wade by removing the ability of federal courts to interfere with state legislation to protect life. This is a practical, direct approach to ending federal court tyranny which threatens our constitutional republic and has caused the deaths of 45 million of the unborn. I have also authored H.R. 1095, which prevents federal funds to be used for so-called “population control.” Many talk about being pro-life. I have taken and will continue to advocate direct action to restore protection for the unborn.

I have also acted to protect the lives of Americans by my adherence to the doctrine of “just war.” This doctrine, as articulated by Augustine, suggested that war must only be waged as a last resort-— for a discernible moral and public good, with the right intentions, vetted through established legal authorities (a constitutionally required declaration of the Congress), and with a likely probability of success.

It has been and remains my firm belief that the current United Nations-mandated, no-win police action in Iraq fails to meet the high moral threshold required to wage just war. That is why I have offered moral and practical opposition to the invasion, occupation and social engineering police exercise now underway in Iraq. It is my belief, borne out by five years of abject failure and tens of thousands of lost lives, that the Iraq operation has been a dangerous diversion from the rightful and appropriate focus of our efforts to bring to justice to the jihadists that have attacked us and seek still to undermine our nation, our values, and our way of life.

I opposed giving the president power to wage unlimited and unchecked aggression, However, I did vote to support the use of force in Afghanistan. I also authored H.R. 3076, the September 11 Marque and Reprisal Act of 2001. A letter of marque and reprisal is a constitutional tool specifically designed to give the president the authority to respond with appropriate force to those non-state actors who wage aggression against the United States while limiting his authority to only those responsible for the atrocities of that day. Such a limited authorization is consistent with the doctrine of just war and the practical aim of keeping Americans safe while minimizing the costs in blood and treasure of waging such an operation.

On September 17, 2001, I stated on the house floor that “…striking out at six or eight or even ten different countries could well expand this war of which we wanted no part. Without defining the enemy there is no way to know our precise goal or to know when the war is over. Inadvertently more casual acceptance of civilian deaths as part of this war I’m certain will prolong the agony and increase the chances of even more American casualties. We must guard against this if at all possible.” I’m sorry to say that history has proven this to be true.

I am running for president to restore the rule of law and to stand up for our divinely inspired Constitution. I have never voted for legislation that is not specifically authorized by the Constitution. As president, I will never sign a piece of legislation, nor use the power of the executive, in a manner inconsistent with the limitations that the founders envisioned.

Many have given up on America as an exemplar for the world, as a model of freedom, self-government, and self-control. I have not. There is hope for America. I ask you to join me, and to be a part of it.

Sincerely,

Ron Paul

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