Jane Hamsher: Note To Obama - Either You’re Pro-Choice Or You’re Not

[wyldwolf]

Obama wanted to take credit for opposing the bellicose Kyl-Lieberman bill -- a vote he ducked. He then said he ducked the MoveOn vote because it was political theatrics -- even though he showed up and voted "yea" on the politically theatrical Barbara Boxer bill that very morning. Now he wants us to think he's pro-choice because he ducked yet again and voted "present" on important abortion legislation, ostensibly to "give cover" to Democrats in vulnerable districts who couldn't afford to vote "yea" themselves.

Oh please. Would this pass muster if Obama had voted "present" on important civil rights legislation to give cover to Democrats who lived in districts with lots of bigots? Somehow I don't think so.

Jerome Armstrong:

Obama's rationale for voting 'present', lacking plausibility, is probably more simple:

Obama's friend Link offered another reason for the strategy: to protect those with plans for higher office. A "present" vote helped "if you have aspirations of doing something else in politics," Link said, "and I think looked at it in that regard."

It's single-issue politics and not particularly helpful to a big tent strategy, but among democratic primary & caucus voters, particularly women, it seems like a pretty big opening for groups like NOW and Emily's List to go after Obama.

I seriously doubt it. Illinois Planned Parenthood is standing behind this stupid "present" strategy like it was some kind of brilliant tactical move. But then again, Planned Parenthood national told their membership to thank Joe Lieberman for his Alito vote. This smells a lot like NARAL endorsing the "fetal pain" torpedo that right-to-lifers were trying to launch into the abortion debate in order to give cover to Democrats who didn't want to take a side on a potentially divisive vote. It's a chickenshit move to give cover to people who don't want to take a stand, and the fact that pro-choice organizations engage in this kind of ass-covering rather than defending the rights they're given big money by their membership to uphold is largely why people think their opinion on these things is worth squat these days.

The institutional pro-choice groups may line up based on who is supporting who, but I don't expect any courageous stands on principle here.

It ain't the moral trump card it used to be.

http://firedoglake.com/2007/12/05/note-to-obama-either-youre-pro-choice-or-youre-not/

[Cameron27]

1. This is an issue to take a stand on.

Interesting: "Illinois Planned Parenthood is standing behind this stupid "present" strategy like it was some kind of brilliant tactical move. But then again, Planned Parenthood national told their membership to thank Joe Lieberman for his Alito vote. This smells a lot like NARAL endorsing the "fetal pain" torpedo that right-to-lifers were trying to launch into the abortion debate in order to give cover to Democrats who didn't want to take a side on a potentially divisive vote."

[ellacott]

2. There appears to be more on this story

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3796785

[AtomicKitten]

3. of course

like clockwork

[wyldwolf]

4. completely irrelevant to what's in the OP

[ellacott]

5. Tell yourself what you need to hear. n/t

[Bitwit1234]

6. Oh no...you can't ask Obama a direct question...remember

he sits on the fence...when it comes to a hard issue. that way he can then complain about his opponents who took a stand one way or the other...

[cali]

7. aarrgh

both Clinton and Obama are pro-choice. They'd both appoint judges and justices who would uphold Roe. This is dumb.

[zulchzulu]

8. What a moronic attempt at trying to trash Obama

I guess all the organizations that have given Obama 100% ratings for being for women's choice are just plain idiots?

Senator Obama supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2006.

Senator Obama supported the interests of the Planned Parenthood 100 percent in 2006.

Senator Obama supported the interests of the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association 100 percent in 2005-2006.

Senator Obama supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 0 percent in 2005-2006.

Senator Obama supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2005.

Senator Obama supported the interests of the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council 100 percent in 2003.

Senator Obama supported the interests of the Illinois Federation for Right to Life 50 percent in 2002.

Senator Obama supported the interests of the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council 100 percent in 2001.

Senator Obama supported the interests of the Illinois Federation for Right to Life 0 percent in 1997-2000.

Senator Obama supported the interests of the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council 100 percent in 1997-1998.

http://votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=9490

Some of Hillary's supporters are nothing short of vile, imbecilic blowholes.

[SaveElmer]

11. What a moronic attempt to change the topic...

Off of Obama's cowardice when it comes to important votes...

Some of Obama's supporters are nothing short of hero worhipping, ignorant, sycophants (as long we're hurling insults)

[zulchzulu]

13. So is a 100% rating from NARAL a silly accident?

Did Celine Dion ever do a version of "Desperado"?

[BeyondGeography]

14. Ouch, man

[frazzled]

17. It wasn't cowardice: it was bravery in the face of a sham right-wing bill

If you read the article I posted below, this whole "present" and "no" hoopla had to do with a single bill that was reintroduced in 2001 and 2002 in the Illinois Senate--defeated thanks to Senator Obama. Trying to play on the gruesome image of "viable fetuses" being tortured to death, its definition of fetal viability and the potential to criminalize doctors could very well have led to the loss of women's right to choose altogether.

If you read it, you will see that even the right-wing accuses him of being the ONLY Senator to have spoken out against this bill. It was not an easy thing to do, given the graphic nature of the subject matter. You can read Obama's floor speeches--Proof Positive of his impeccable pro-choice credentials. The present votes (in addition to his no votes on this same measure) were logistical. It's really sick that "Hillary Hub" would mischaracterize this so grossly.

But typical: I see that it was a Clinton Camp member who was passing on the right-wing "Muslim" smear via email, too.

(PS: HIllary, Edwards, and Dodd voted for a similar "save the babies" bill in the US Senate, introduced by Rick Santorum. Obama voted against such a measure in Illinois--admittedly, its language was worse. So who is caving?)

[SaveElmer]

18. He voted present 10 times...

It was cowardice...a desire to avoid being on the record on controversial issues...

[BeyondGeography]

19. Your campaign is getting nowhere with this

Yesterday, two HRC surrogates, the head of Illinois NOW and the head of Emily's list, got marching orders to trash Obama on voting "present" and they both embarassed themselves. There have been threads about this; here are the stories:

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2007/12/illinois_now_for_clinton_with.html

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/12/05/497101.aspx

Time to find a new non-functioning line of attack. Or maybe, better yet, something positive for Hillary to talk about in relationship to herself.

[SaveElmer]

20. Obama is being exposed...finally...

I know it is painful for him to have people point out like...his record to him...but that is the way it is...when you dodge the important issues for political purposes it's gonna come back to bite you...

What's embarrassing is that he thought he would get away with it!

[BeyondGeography]

21. Step.away.from.the.kool.aid

[zulchzulu]

22. Perhaps you can start a thread about how NARAL and Planned Parenthood suck

Apparently they gave Obama 100% on ratings for his record of voting for women's right to choose. They must have got it all wrong.

:crazy:

[SaveElmer]

23. Completely irrelevent....

From the OP...

"Illinois Planned Parenthood is standing behind this stupid "present" strategy like it was some kind of brilliant tactical move. But then again, Planned Parenthood national told their membership to thank Joe Lieberman for his Alito vote. This smells a lot like NARAL endorsing the "fetal pain" torpedo that right-to-lifers were trying to launch into the abortion debate in order to give cover to Democrats who didn't want to take a side on a potentially divisive vote. It's a chickenshit move to give cover to people who don't want to take a stand, and the fact that pro-choice organizations engage in this kind of ass-covering rather than defending the rights they're given big money by their membership to uphold is largely why people think their opinion on these things is worth squat these days."


Obama's rating comes from his time as a U.S. Senator...and does not address his cowardice as a part time state Senator...

[zulchzulu]

25. Your point is absolutely irrelevant...

Look at Obama's ratings with the Illinois women's groups... 100% as well.

You're out of ammo...again.

[Nailzberg]

27. That was some display of hypocrisy by Illinois NOW

They criticize Obama on the present vote, yet they endorse Lisa Madigan (Illinois AG), who as a state senator was also voting present as part of the Planned Parenthood strategy.

[TankLV]

31. It's the Obama synchophants who are getting nowhere on this - just like his inexcusable behaviour on

Gay issues...

[Renew Deal]

34. The most terrible thing about this attack is Obama is being attacked for doing the right thing.

Obama is being attacked by "democrats" because he PROTECTED a womans right to choose. It's just obnoxious.

[TankLV]

30. Gee - ya noticed that too, huh?

What I hate more than disagreeing with someone's opinion, is a weasel like Obama who REFUSES to take a stand - and the idiots who try - unsuccessfully - to defend such travisties!

[femrap]

35. Anyone who is all talk and no action

is cowardly. He isn't up for the job by any means.

[rinsd]

9. Here's the kicker. Only one or two Senators in on the strategy was remotely vulnerable

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3797351&mesg_id=3797351

[Nailzberg]

24. You protect the seats you have.

The Dems have benefited from GOP scandals and have wrestled away control, but it's still essentially a swing state on a blue streak as of late. Dems want to keep the momentum, you don't give the pro-life lobby a hammer to hit you with - not even one seat.

[sandnsea]

10. No low so low that Hillary won't go n/t

[SaveElmer]

12. No vote too important for Obama not to duck...nt

[sandnsea]

15. No war lie too incredible for Hilllary not to believe n/t

[frazzled]

16. Jane Hamsher does not know what she is talking about

Barack Obama helped to scuttle this horrible horrible legislation in the Illinois senate--and he was the only one brave enough to speak out about it (read the article for that quote). I am getting sick and tired of posting this article from the Hill. Does Jane Hamsher really want to align herself with the arguments of right-wing abortion foes?

http://hill6.thehill.com/campaign-2008/abortion-foes-target-obama-because-of-his-vote-record-on-illinois-legislation-2007-02-15.html

[Cha]

36. Maybe someone

from the Obama campaign should write to her about it..she seems like knowledgable woman who would want to get the fact straight.

I'm just confused on it.

[Hope And Change]

26. From Anne and Women for Obama!

From Anne and Women for Obama!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3795539

[Perry Logan]

28. Obama figures if you don't flip, you can't flop.

[babylonsister]

43. You do, often, and thanks! nt

[CyberPieHole]

29. Obama's got a lot of people fooled...

they think that his hot-air makes him a viable candidate.:crazy:

[babylonsister]

44. Yes, lots of people can't stand him. Woe is us. So why are you

bothered? Let it go for peace of (your) mind!

[ClarkUSA]

32. Note to Jane Hamsher: Why Don't You Stop Being A Clinton Surrogate?

What a jerk. She's never been the same since she hobnobbed with Bill Clinton at that Bloggers' Meeting.

Did anyone tell her Obama has a 100% rating from NARAL?

[babylonsister]

40. 100%? Funny that never comes up. nt

[ClarkUSA]

41. Yeah, funny how Clinton tool Jane Hamsher didn't mention Obama has a 100% NARAL rating

2008 Presidential Candidate Choice Statements
Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)
Choice Statement:
Sen. Barack Obama submitted the following statement upon NARAL Pro-Choice America's request.

"A woman's ability to decide how many children to have and when, without interference from the government, is one of the most fundamental rights
we possess. It is not just an issue of choice, but equality and opportunity for all women.

"I have consistently advocated for reproductive choice and will make preserving women's rights under Roe v. Wade a priority as President. I oppose
any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's ruling in this case.

"I believe we must work together to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. I support legislation to expand access to contraception, health
information, and preventative services to help reduce unintended pregnancies. That is why I co-sponsored the Prevention First Act of 2007, which
will increase funding for family planning and comprehensive sex education that teaches both abstinence and safe sex methods. It will also end
insurance discrimination against contraception, improve awareness about emergency contraception, and provide compassionate assistance to rape
victims.

"Finally, I support the enactment and enforcement of laws that help prevent violence, intimidation, and harassment directed at reproductive health
providers and their patients."

Voting Record:
Sen. Obama received the following scores on NARAL Pro-Choice America's Congressional Record on Choice.

2006: 100 percent
2005: 100 percent

Public Statements about Choice:

A selection of Sen. Obama's public statements on this issue is below.

"You know, I think that most Americans recognize that this is a profoundly difficult issue for the women and families who make these decisions.
They don't make them casually. And I trust women to make these decisions in conjunction with their doctors and their families and their clergy."

Transcript from Democratic Presidential Debate in South Carolina, MSNBC, April 26, 2007:

"I explained my belief that few women made the decision to terminate a pregnancy casually; that any pregnant woman felt the full force of the
moral issues involved and wrestled with her conscience when making that decision; that I feared a ban on abortion would force women to seek
unsafe abortions, as they had once done in this country."
~ Barack Obama, excerpt from The Audacity of Hope published in Time Magazine, http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1546298,00.html (accessed May 9, 2007

"I strongly disagree with today's Supreme Court ruling, which dramatically departs from previous precedents safeguarding the health of pregnant
women. As Justice Ginsburg emphasized in her dissenting opinion, this ruling signals an alarming willingness on the part of the conservative
majority to disregard its prior rulings respecting a woman's medical concerns and the very personal decisions between a doctor and patient. 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."
~ Statement from Sen. Obama on Supreme Court Decision upholding Federal Abortion Ban, April 18, 2007, http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/04/obama_decision.html (accessed May 4, 2007):

http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/elections/statements/obama.html

[Jim Sagle]

33. Folks, tune out this Punch and Judy show featuring an empty suit and an empty pantsuit.

Vote for a REAL Dem - Edwards. :beer:

[Cha]

38. I hope Edwards

does really well in Iowa! We need his message not to get buried.

[whirlygigspin]

39. no thanks

Edwards??? he said he wants republicans in his administration, yuk

And I'll never vote for anyone who uses his 'religion' to discriminate against gay people.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6iYliBayh4



*only Dennis Kucinich & Joe Biden support marriage rights for all people, regardless

[zulchzulu]

37. Note to Jane Hamsher: Senator Obama has Illinois Planned Parenthood 100% rating from 1997-2003

It doesn't go higher than 100%...just a reminder.

:crazy:

[ClarkUSA]

42. Note To The Clueless Clintonian: Obama's is 100% pro-choice (see linked statements on NARAL website)

2008 Presidential Candidate Choice Statements
Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)
Choice Statement:
Sen. Barack Obama submitted the following statement upon NARAL Pro-Choice America's request.

"A woman's ability to decide how many children to have and when, without interference from the government, is one of the most fundamental rights
we possess. It is not just an issue of choice, but equality and opportunity for all women.

"I have consistently advocated for reproductive choice and will make preserving women's rights under Roe v. Wade a priority as President. I oppose
any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's ruling in this case.

"I believe we must work together to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. I support legislation to expand access to contraception, health
information, and preventative services to help reduce unintended pregnancies. That is why I co-sponsored the Prevention First Act of 2007, which
will increase funding for family planning and comprehensive sex education that teaches both abstinence and safe sex methods. It will also end
insurance discrimination against contraception, improve awareness about emergency contraception, and provide compassionate assistance to rape
victims.

"Finally, I support the enactment and enforcement of laws that help prevent violence, intimidation, and harassment directed at reproductive health
providers and their patients."

Voting Record:
Sen. Obama received the following scores on NARAL Pro-Choice America's Congressional Record on Choice.

2006: 100 percent
2005: 100 percent

Public Statements about Choice:

A selection of Sen. Obama's public statements on this issue is below.

"You know, I think that most Americans recognize that this is a profoundly difficult issue for the women and families who make these decisions.
They don't make them casually. And I trust women to make these decisions in conjunction with their doctors and their families and their clergy."

Transcript from Democratic Presidential Debate in South Carolina, MSNBC, April 26, 2007:

"I explained my belief that few women made the decision to terminate a pregnancy casually; that any pregnant woman felt the full force of the
moral issues involved and wrestled with her conscience when making that decision; that I feared a ban on abortion would force women to seek
unsafe abortions, as they had once done in this country."
~ Barack Obama, excerpt from The Audacity of Hope published in Time Magazine, http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1546298,00.html (accessed May 9, 2007

"I strongly disagree with today's Supreme Court ruling, which dramatically departs from previous precedents safeguarding the health of pregnant
women. As Justice Ginsburg emphasized in her dissenting opinion, this ruling signals an alarming willingness on the part of the conservative
majority to disregard its prior rulings respecting a woman's medical concerns and the very personal decisions between a doctor and patient. 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."
~ Statement from Sen. Obama on Supreme Court Decision upholding Federal Abortion Ban, April 18, 2007, http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/04/obama_decision.html (accessed May 4, 2007):

http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/elections/statements/obama.html

[Beacool]

45. What a surprise!!!

NOT! Obama has one of the poorest voting records in the senate and Hillary one of the best (prior to the presidential campaign). It seems that he's more than willing to condemn how other vote without bothering to vote himself. The MoveOn and Iran resolution come to mind, yet he has the nerve to criticize Hillary? Too funny!!!