Free Republic

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 - Democratic leaders say their party needs to de-emphasize the issue of abortion rights, concerned that Republicans have hurt the Democratic Party by portraying it as an uncompromising champion of abortion. In interviews and public appearances since Election Day, Democratic officials have said that the party should open its doors to abortion opponents and that candidates should make abortion a less central focus of future campaigns. Party leaders said they were not abandoning their fundamental support for abortion rights, but said Democrats should consider accepting some restrictions that enjoy popular support - like parental notification when teenagers...

John Kerry explained his views on abortion last weekend to the Telegraph Herald of Dubuque, Iowa. "I oppose abortion, personally," he said. "I don't like abortion. I believe life does begin at conception. But I can't take my Catholic belief, my article of faith, and legislate it on a Protestant or a Jew or an atheist . . . who doesn't share it." Mr. Kerry seems to be trying to re-assure voters that his personal religious beliefs on abortion will not influence his policy-making (an assertion borne out by his 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America). And that's fair enough....