Planned Parenthood Chief Criticizes Kerry

[davidinalameda]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&u=/ap/20050201/ap_on_re_us/planned_parenthood&printer=1

The outgoing president of Planned Parenthood (news - web sites), Gloria Feldt, commended her anti-abortion adversaries Tuesday for their political skills and criticized ally John Kerry (news - web sites) for an ineffective defense of abortion rights during his losing presidential campaign.


"I have great respect for John Kerry, but there's no question he did not articulate these issues well," Feldt said in an interview. "He seemed equivocal. He ceded the moral high ground to the other side."


Feldt, 62, resigned last week — effective immediately — after eight years as president of the country's most influential and controversial family planning organization. Her path to the top was unlikely: at 15, she was newly pregnant in a small West Texas town; by 20, she had three children and dim career prospects.

[Guns Aximbo]

1. I agree...

He took no stand on anything... Thanks Iowa for choosing Kerry for the rest of us.

[progressoid]

2. Yep, she's right

[iamjoy]

3. I Have To Agree With Her

This isn't just dumping on Kerry.
I remember being very disappointed and actually cringing at the way he addressed the choice issue. Somtimes, he seemed to be pandering to the Pro-Choice crowd while offering a defense that made him sound wishy-washy and could not hope to win over moderates.

He said in his heart he believed abortion was wrong, but that was a religious belief that he wouldn't impose on the nation. He said he'd only nominate pro-choice judges, but also said there were some circumstances he might not.

He should have turned the debate around.

"Reduce the causes of abortion: poverty, ignorance and unplanned pregnancies."

"I don't like government getting involved in personal health decisions. Where does it end?"

"This crusade against abortion is not just about the termination of a pregnancy, it is about whether women can decide when, if and how many children they have."

"We must never put the interests of an embryo or fetus ahead of the well-being of a woman."

"Scientific and religious leaders have mixed views on when life begins. Who is the government to make that decision?"

[Wind Dancer]

4. Great framing of the issues.

Why aren't our leaders addressing this?

The Repubs hate the government controlling their lives but believe the Orwellian language used by this administration. We have to address the real issues in simple language.

Great post.

[iamjoy]

9. Thanks

I read George Lakoff "Don't Think of an Elephant..."

I'm trying to put it into play. The problem with the abortion debate is we so often accept the premise that abortion is wrong. Once we do that, it is hard to justify why we would want it legal.

[KharmaTrain]

5. Watching Meet The Payola Was Painful

It seems sacrilidge here to say how poorly certain elements of last year's campaign were without starting a flame war or being called "defeatist" or "sell-out", but someone last night framed it best..."Kerry only focused on a couple of states and gave up early on ones that could have made a difference".

His nuancing of key issues...which many of us understood, were taken by the Rove machine and it's paid for pundits and Kerry was pummelled repeatedly with it. Abortion was one of those issues. His waffling...trying to NOT offend is what offended many.

Some politicians, like Clinton, are good at telling different audiences different things and everyone comes away convinced he's on their side. When Kerry tried it, he came off weak and indecisive...and the Rove machine pounced on it.

Unfortunately, Senator Kerry still is see-sawing. It seems like every statement he makes is conditional, or loaded with disclaimers. For me his MTP appearance was painful to watch. First, for him...as Russert just let him consistantly hang himself...then for me waiting for him to finally get to the point. Sorry kids...he should stick to the Senate floor and work within the caucus to fight the good fights.

The media is out to re-inforce their love for Bunnypants...and Russert did his job with Kerry...certainly assuring those who didn't vote for Kerry they did the right thing. Kerry played right along.

I've always had a great deal of respect (and am a big supporter) of Planned Parenthood and their views mean a lot to me and my wife. While it's a bit late, it's good to hear their voices and ours are in similar tune.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. He was all over the map on many issues.

Abortion, Iraq, "Free" trade, gun control, gays,...

A weak candidate on a weak platform.

[ernstbass]

7. He didn't articulate anything well

[drthais]

8. now wait just a cottonpickin minute here....

does NO ONE on this board
recall the abortion question posed
during the presidential debate?

I was QUITE pleased with Kerry's response
he indicated that
(a) this was not as black-and-white an issue as people would have one believe. It is quite complex
(b) to outlaw abortion hands down gives no consideration
of the protection of the life of the mother, should that be necessary
(c) as to parental consent, how can you ask a 13-year-old girl to get the parental concent of her father if he is in fact the one who raped her?

please do not be so quick to respond in a haphazard fashion
Kerry has been very specific about his stance on the abortion issue.
It should be safe, legal, and rare.
That is the Democratic response in a nutshell

[iamjoy]

10. I Just Remember Cringing

as he acknowledged that in his religious view life began at conception, but the Constitution guaranteed women the right to choose.