2008 Presidential Candidates React to the Supreme Court's Partial Birth Abortion Decision

Here are the statements issued by the leading candidates for President from both parties after the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the federal ban on Partial Birth Abortion.

Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)
"This decision marks a dramatic departure from four decades of Supreme Court rulings that upheld a woman's right to choose and recognized the importance of women's health. It is precisely this erosion of our constitutional rights that I warned against when I opposed the nominations of Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito."

Christopher Dodd (D)
"I am deeply troubled by today's Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of the Partial Birth Abortion Act of 2003, a decision which will needlessly endanger women's health throughout the country.”

John Edwards (D)
"I could not disagree more strongly with today's Supreme Court decision. The ban upheld by the Court is an ill-considered and sweeping prohibition that does not even take account for serious threats to the health of individual women.”

Barack Obama (D)
"I strongly disagree with today's Supreme Court ruling, which dramatically departs from previous precedents safeguarding the health of pregnant women. I am extremely concerned that this ruling will embolden state legislatures to enact further measures to restrict a woman's right to choose, and that the conservative Supreme Court justices will look for other opportunities to erode Roe v. Wade, which is established federal law and a matter of equal rights for women."

Bill Richardson (D)
"Today the Supreme Court took a dangerous step backward in regard to Americans' rights to personal choice and privacy. In doing so, the Court disregarded the opinion of experienced and respected medical professionals who oppose the ban because there are no exceptions protecting women's health.”



Sam Brownback (R)
"I am very pleased that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled to uphold the ban on partial birth abortions. This ban was enacted to put an end to one of the most grotesque forms of abortion, and it is completely in line with the respect for life that is at the very heart of our Constitution.”

Rudy Giuliani (R)
"The Supreme Court reached the correct conclusion in upholding the congressional ban on partial birth abortion. I agree with it."

John McCain (R)
"Today's Supreme Court ruling is a victory for those who cherish the sanctity of life and integrity of the judiciary. The ruling ensures that an unacceptable and unjustifiable practice will not be carried out on our innocent children. As we move forward, it is critically important that our party continues to stand on the side of life."

Mitt Romney (R)
"Today, our nation's highest court reaffirmed the value of life in America by upholding a ban on a practice that offends basic human decency. This decision represents a step forward in protecting the weakest and most innocent among us."

Mike Huckabee (R)
"I am pleased that the Supreme Court ruled to uphold the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act passed by Congress in 2003 to protect mothers and children from the use of this gruesome procedure. With this landmark ruling, I am optimistic that we are turning the tide in favor of life."

On this important issue, American voters have a clear choice.

Herb

The choice, though, will not come down to decisions on abortion or homosexuality.

The war will make the difference and no Republican supporting the war has a chance.

I still like McCain, though.

Yeah, rubber stampers or everybody else.

No brainer, as far as I am concerned. The abortion debate is a valid one, but I am not interested in it coming before a lot of other stuff.

The homosexuality debate is a non issue, until such time as choice is proved. Until then, it's the same rules for all of us, gay, black, etc...

For me, the war is front and center. The drain on us is high, the return questionable at best. Plus it's unjust.

Guess it comes down to trying to split the 70 percent of us that are not single issue voters! I know I've seen enough outta the GOP to last a long time. No vote here.

Anyone else notice the rapidly diminishing pool of W stickers?

"I still like McCain, though."

So do I. VERY much.

His support of the Iraq conflict and his expressed interest in ESCALATING it is a deal-breaker for me however. I really like that he's a moderate Republican who has a backbone to stand up to his own party's Neanderthals, but unless his tone on the war changes he will not get my vote.

McCain is an outstanding American and could be a pretty good candidate, except for his laxness on border security.

Maybe if he has a solid VP, that can be addressed.

Herb

McCain is toast. Seen his recent video clips?
This country will not elect a candidate that comes across as "reckless" in the media.

You mean the 'bomb Iran' spots?

I dunno. Mr. Reagan joked about 'outlawing Russia and starting the bombing in five minutes. In doing so, he came off as unpredictable enough that terrorists experienced a little terror of their own watching him. To our enemies, a degree of uncertainty can only help.

If bad guys, who generally only respect force, consider our leader to be just a tad nuts, that actually can be an advantage when dealing with evil-doers like Iran and totalitarian dictatorships. Why let Kim Jong Il get away with being nuts? I say we use it right back at him. And hey, it might even make the French straighten out.

Herb

The "bomb Iran" spots, and his interview with Jon Stewart where he mocks the use of I.E.D.'s.

Hey, I appreciate a sense of humor, and McCain certainly has one, but will the mainstream populace see this?

The troll sez: "On this important issue, American voters have a clear choice."

But at the same time, the troll is saying: On this important right, American women DON'T have a clear choice!

Strip a person of his hypocricy and you'll find a troll.

BINGO!

A "stripped" naked curmudgeonly(sp?) old troll who lives under a bridge in shrubs and mud and revels both in the old days of yore and RM Nixon is not a pretty sight.

I'd recommend using the newer, improved bridge a bit to the left, just upstream.

When you have nothing else to say of importance or relevance, call the poster a troll. Works every time.

Name-calling is yet another hypocritical inconsistency tolerated by the left. These are the same people who cannot grasp the difference between debating an issue and ad hominem attacks.

Simply consider the source. In addition to an act of cowardice, those who resort to it have pathetically little material, while lacking mental firepower to communicate with coherent logic. It also shines a very bright light on their personal inadequacies.

Herb

When one contradicts himself over and over again, one is indeed a troll.

"Name-calling is yet another hypocritical inconsistency tolerated by the left."

You're so right, we usually tolerate it whilst YOU engage in it, which is quite often.

Like your next paragraph:

"Simply consider the source. In addition to an act of cowardice, those who resort to it have pathetically little material, while lacking mental firepower to communicate with coherent logic. It also shines a very bright light on their personal inadequacies."

Gosh, with my tiny little brain working furiously, I'm guessing that you're being insulting right back...which lowers you to the same "pathetic" level as those you accuse, doesn't it, Mr. (Always) Right?

So even though it feels good, you might want to see 'Ironic' in the dictionary. As Pee Wee Herman famously said, "I know you are, but what am I?" (Ooops, there's my "lack of mental firepower" glaring fiercely at you)

As far as "coherent logic", time after time YOU refuse to respond with sources and facts, and then when anyone presents you with truth, you find it impossible to flat out say you were wrong, mistaken, or god forbid, apologize.

So, I guess the only thing I'm left to ponder is if my "personal inadequacy" is due to a lack of a penis.

And Jeez, will somebody turn the lights down? What is this, a tanning booth? The smarmy trolls are famous for raising blind albino cave fish and they're very sensitive!

The resident troll wouldn't understand the irony even if we hit him over the head with an iron.

Boasting, while showcasing the inability to comprehend the meaning of an ad hominem attack, is beyond irony.

Herb

Then maybe you ought to consider that and possibly tone it down a notch, Pa Kettle.

And who the heck is "boasting"?
Get over yourself.

Exactly! For example, I never proclaimed a Democratic sweep last November, but the troll certainly boasted of a GOP sweep and laughed at us if we suggested otherwise.

The troll consistantly time and time again provides his own compelling evidence of being a major hypocrite and troll.

Herb said>>>
Boasting, while showcasing the inability to comprehend the meaning of an ad hominem attack, is beyond irony.

We could say the same about what you think is the truth in the facts you put forth here on this board.

Trixter, I back up my comments with facts, something the left has yet to master. When you do, I'll listen.

Herbert M.

?!?



(goes back to other things)