Posted on 08/18/2008 10:32:28 AM PDT by presidio9
When Barack Obama and John McCain offered their sharply divergent views on abortion this weekend at an Orange County church, it was a rare chance to hear the presidential rivals address one of the most contentious issues in American politics.
Each has sought to steer clear of the often fierce disputes between their parties on abortion, relegating it to the low ranks of campaign quarrels.
With the election being fought largely over centrist voters, the White House hopefuls have tried to reach out to those who disagree with their views on abortion.
Obama, a Democrat who supports abortion rights but reminded the audience at Saddleback Church that he wanted to make the procedure less common, has managed to make accommodations to abortion opponents without complaints from his party's base.
But McCain, who opposes abortion, has ignited new tensions with the Republican Party's conservative wing by trying to mollify those who want it to remain legal.
Despite their efforts to downplay the issue, McCain and Obama almost certainly would steer the country in opposite directions on abortion through their appointments to the Supreme Court, which may be just a conservative vote short of overturning Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 decision that established a constitutional right to abortion.
"Whoever is elected president will have the power to fundamentally transform the future of abortion politics," said Cynthia Daniels, a political scientist at Rutgers University.
In navigating abortion politics, McCain faces a much tougher climate than Obama.
The Arizona senator sparked threats of a conservative revolt
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
I was also facinated by Senator Obama's response to a particular question: The Senator was essentially asked to name the current justice whom he would not have nominated. Of course Senator Obama picked Thomas, because, because the Senator is colorblind, right? But I wish Conservative pundits would start hammering him for his explanation: He said that Justice Thomas was incredibly inexperienced for the job (also, he had once made a dirty joke about pubic hair). So, my question would be: Senator, why is experience so important for a Suprememe Court nominee, but not for the CIC?
Senator Obama probably realized the hole he was digging for himself when he said that he would also get rid of Scalia ("Um, Senator, we only aked for on name..."). It's worth noting that in a discussion of policy and morals he named the two most devout Catholics on the bench.
That was by far McCain's best performance. I am still not naive enough to think McCain will be the next Reagan, but that performance was almost Reaganesque. We will see if McCain will stay that course, or wonder back into media-kissup mode.
Justice Thomas resume makes Obama's look like a complete neophyte.
I saw a total different McCain--one whom I could support. I thought he was on fire! Now, don't blow it with the VP choice.
What pure, unadulterated bullsh** spin.
McCain's answer was unequivocal. He helped cement the pro-life section of the base and also cemented his appeal to swing-vote Dem Catholics who are critical in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Obama wandered all over the map and still went nowhere.
Obama tried to navigate the issue. McCain answered the question directly and from the heart. This article is pure damage control by the Oessiah's team
It would be surprising how a reporter can natter on for paragraph after paragraph without actually saying anything—if we didn’t see the same thing virtually every day.
Obama never saw a baby he didn’t want to kill, but he doesn’t like to say so, unless he’s talking to his moonbat base.
McCain is mostly pro life (with the fetal stem cell exception), and he doesn’t mind saying so, plain and simple.
Only readers raised up in duckspeak by the public schools and brainwashed by the media could possibly read this article without throwing it down in disgust.
That was my take on the title.
McCain didn’t “navigate” the issue, he answered it based on his core values.
Bambi, if he has core values, has to hide them and “navigate” the issue.
Could the LA Times spin this sophistic bilge any further in Obama's direction?
This sort of "reporting" is why I cancelled my subscription to this wretched rag.
Many Evangelicals and conservatives in general have had second thoughts about John McCain. The differences that came out of Rick Warren's "interviews" with Obama and McCain were striking.
Both mens answers to the abortion issue summed up the whole night. Mac said, "life begins at conception", while Obama said, the abortion issue was "above my pay grade".
McCain won the night hands down. If he keeps this up through the three debates with Obama, he will win.
The MSM has been saying this since 1980 and have never gotten it right. Fact is, abortion is a very important issue to pro-life voters, but is isn't to most pro-choice voters, who tend to be moral relativists.
Yes his answer on life got me a bit emotional.
Yes IF he picks a Pro-Life running mate I will vote for him.
But I must say that I am prepared to be sorely disappointed in President McCain. I just pray that disappointment has nothing to do with the life & family issues.
Not much room of navigating there.
“Yes IF he picks a Pro-Life running mate I will vote for him.”
Why not tell Senator McCain how we feel and even give him a few suggestions?
John McCain 703-418-2008 and e-mail jpblack@mccain08hq.com and http://www.johnmccain.com/Contact/
Today I heard on tv that McCain is giving Mitt Romney a hard look, and while Romney is far, far better than Ridge, Gov. Crist or Joe Lieberman, it bothers me that Romney’s universal health care plan in MA allowed some money for abortions.
Laura Ingrahm assuaged somewhat my concerns about Mitt's Pro-Life+Conservative conversion. So while I'd prefer other picks I'm not expecting someone more to the right than Romney.
Religious Voters Favor McCain, Poll Claims
Sen. McCain holds private meeting with Archbishop Chaput
John McCain's Remarks on Abortion in Speech to National Pro-Life Convention
McCain campaign plans ‘very aggressive’ outreach to Catholic voters
McCain Meets with Selected Catholic Leaders
Obama sank like he had a millstone around his neck.
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