http://www.debates.org/index.php?page=october-7-1984-debate-transcript
Abortion
Mondale: “One final point: President Reagan, as Governor of California, signed a bill which is perhaps the most liberal proabortion bill of any State in the Union.”
Rebuttal
THE PRESIDENT: “Yes. Well, with regard to this being a personal choice, isn’t that what a murderer is insisting on, his or her right to kill someone because of whatever fault they think justifies that?
Now, I’m not capable, and I don’t think you are, any of us, to make this determination that must be made with regard to human life. I am simply saying that I believe that that’s where the effort should be directed — to make that determination.
I don’t think that any of us should be called upon here to stand and make a decision as to what other things might come under the self-defense tradition. That, too, would have to be worked out then, when you once recognize that we’re talking about a life. But in this great society of ours, wouldn’t it make a lot more sense, in this gentle and kind society, if we had a program that made it possible for when incidents come along in which someone feels they must do away with that unborn child, that instead we make it available for the adoption? There are a million and a half people out there standing in line waiting to adopt children who can’t have them any other way.”
THE PRESIDENT: With regard to Social Security ... I will say this: A President should never say “never.’’ But I’m going to violate that rule and say “never.’’ I will never stand for a reduction of the Social Security benefits to the people that are now getting them.
President Reagan evolved over many years from a union Democrat, to a Republican, to a conservative.
Saving unborn children is a categorical imperative. Politics is largely utilitarian: maximizing the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people.
With all due respect ... President Reagan didn’t think that
a president should ever say “never,” and neither should we.
You know, tumblin, I wish you’d just say what you mean to say. Lately, your posts have been so cryptic that it’s hard to determine whether you’re agreeing or disagreeing with Jim Robinson.