This is the first of several posts about where the six front runner candidates stand on the issues. The text is from the Pew Forum. Today's post is on (alphabetically first) Abortion.
Hillary Clinton
Clinton says abortion rights are protected by the Constitution but that there is "an opportunity for people of good faith to find common ground in this debate." She says the government should actively try to minimize the number of abortions through better sex education and improved access to birth control. Clinton has praised religious groups for promoting abstinence.
John Edwards
A supporter of abortion rights, Edwards also favors funding for "family planning." Edwards' presidential candidacy has won the support of a prominent abortion rights advocate, Kate Michelman, who is helping the campaign reach out to women.
Rudolph Giuliani
When asked about abortion in a February 2007 interview, Giuliani said, "I hate it," but added, "I believe in a woman's right to choose." As mayor of New York City, Giuliani approved government funding for abortion and opposed a ban on partial-birth abortion, saying he wanted to "preserve the option for women." Prior to his first campaign for mayor in 1989, Giuliani opposed abortion rights.
John McCain
McCain supports overturning Roe v. Wade and banning abortion except in cases of rape, incest or threat to the life of the mother. He has an anti-abortion voting record, and has promised, if elected, to appoint justices who "strictly interpret the Constitution of the United States and do not legislate from the bench."
Barack Obama
Obama supports abortion rights. In the Illinois State Senate, he voted against a bill to ban late-term abortions. Obama said that he did not support the ban because it did not contain a clause to protect the life of the mother.
W. Mitt Romney
Romney describes himself as "firmly pro-life." He says he believes that abortion should be banned except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. Romney acknowledges that earlier in his career, he was "effectively pro-choice," and as governor of Massachusetts, he kept a campaign pledge to protect "a woman's right to choose" despite his personal opposition to abortion.
Unless I am missing something I think that all candidates except one are somewhat pro-choice ... unless you count Romney :)
You forgot Brownback. 100% pro-life. And Thompson's not too bad, either.
ReplyDeleteDidn't forget Brownback - after all he is a Kansan :)
ReplyDeleteI have only included the six leaders but may revisit later.
Hey thanks for posting these. I haven't really looked at any of the candidate in depth yet but I need to. I'm hoping someone else enters the race because I'm not seeing anyone I really want to vote for. I appreciate the info.
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