Tim Kaine is pro life

[runaway hero]

Hillary can't choose him imo

http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/284379-abortion-is-weakness-for-clinton-vp-favorite
While Kaine does not back overturning the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion, he is personally opposed to the practice and has backed controversial restrictions, such as parental ­notification laws and a ban on late-term abortions.
A range of groups supporting abortion rights, including EMILY’s List, NARAL Pro-Choice America and Planned Parenthood, declined to comment or did not respond to inquiries when asked if they had concerns about Kaine’s record on abortion — a silence that suggests there are Clinton picks they’d prefer to Kaine, who is reportedly being vetted for the position.

[Siwsan]

1. I think MOST of us are pro-life. At least I hope so. I'd consider him to be anti-choice

I know - picky picky, but it's a term that always drives me a little spare.

[synergie]

38. He's actually not anti-choice.

http://www.ontheissues.org/Social/Tim_Kaine_Abortion.htm

He does support some of the more moronic and damaging anti-choice restrictions though, but not choice itself.

[Siwsan]

45. Interesting.

We are all guilty, to a degree, of rationalizing. But the use of the term 'pro-life' has always raised my hackles. To a degree.

[synergie]

49. It's the name they chose for themselves, Orwellian, like most other names that the

CONS use. They're not conservative or compassionate, Christian or "right" either. They simply are anti-choice, and once they've denied choice, their interest ends.

[calimary]

53. I'd submit that the CONS really ought to rethink their "pro-life" positioning, because they AREN'T.

Anyone who strongly supports the death penalty CANNOT call themselves "pro-life."

Anyone who denies climate change (now ravaging the planet and impacting life on Earth) CANNOT call themselves "pro-life."

Anyone recklessly insisting that we need those coal-mining jobs back, and we don't have to conserve, and we don't have to recycle, and we don't have to stop being wasteful CANNOT call themselves "pro-life."

Anyone who yells "drill baby drill" CANNOT call themselves "pro-life.

Anyone whose first choice is war-making before negotiating or promoting peace treaties CANNOT call themselves "pro-life."

Anyone who hates immigrants and immigration and doesn't give a damn what happens to immigrants CANNOT call themselves "pro-life."

Anyone who wants to help Donald Trump build that ol' wall CANNOT call themselves "pro-life."

Anyone who defends the wanton, reckless "guns for anybody who wants 'em" position DEFINITELY CANNOT call themselves "pro-life."

I think we should start kicking the supports out from under this whole "pro-life" canard. Connect the dots and attack it at its roots.

Let's help people drill down a little farther below the meaningless talking-point or sloganeering. Let's examine what it REALLY means to be "pro-life."

The whole "pro-life" crap needs to be re-examined, attacked, and undermined.

[John Poet]

58. They're only "pro-life" when you're unborn.

Once you're here, it's "every man for himself"....


and I do mean, "every MAN for himself"...

[synergie]

63. They don't much care about your life when you're an embryo or a fetus either

it really is just all about controlling your mother and her body, nothing more.

[synergie]

62. I'd like to submit that CONs think in the first place :-)

[Siwsan]

56. That's why I hate it.

It's like if you don't agree with them, you are pro death??? And, they are pro life, right up to the point of birth, then they really don't care, anymore. Then they become the party of "You are on your own".

[synergie]

61. Yes, they do tend to start screaming at how you're a murderer if you should

happen to think that women receiving proper medical care for their condition is a good thing. They really are not pro-life at all, they care nothing about the health of the pregnancy, nor do they care about the fetus itself. Note how they're against women receiving health care, food stamps, even when they're pregnant and attack the EPA, which regulates toxins that affect fetal development.

There is no instance in which they are pro-life.

[Rhiannon12866]

78. Kaine has been approved by both NARAL and Planned Parenthood for his record on abortion rights

Pro-abortion rights groups give Kaine nod of approval

"While Senator Kaine has been open about his personal reservations about abortion, he’s maintained a 100% pro-choice voting record in the U.S. Senate. He voted against dangerous abortion bans, he has fought against efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, and he voted to strengthen clinic security by establishing a federal fund for it," NARAL President Ilyse Hogue said in the statement.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/288952-pro-abortion-rights-group-give-kaine-nod-of-approval

[Bluenorthwest]

2. He was opposed to not just marriage equality but also civil unions for LGBT for years and years

he was one of the last grudging holdouts to 'support' equality. His career has been very, very anti-gay and anti civil rights.
He's not an acceptable choice at all, in the least.

[CrispyQ]

5. Anti-choice, anti-gay, anti-civil rights.

How does a guy like this get a D behind his name? Our tent is too damned big. If she picks Kaine, I'll leave the top of the ticket blank.

[Mass]

3. There are a ton of reasons why he is a bad choice, starting by his abysmal tenure as DNC chair and

leaning right on pretty much any issue (may be not gun rights).

The fact he is anti-choice is really only a problem in case of a 50-50 vote in the Senate on choice.

[Arizona Roadrunner]

4. We don't need a "pro Life"' "enabler" on the ticket.

Normally this might not be a big deal. But given the climate that we live in with all of the restrictions being enacted, do we really need a so called "pro life" "enabler" an the "ticket"? NO!!!!!!!!

[femmocrat]

6. Meanwhile, the anti-choice groups consider him pro-abortion.

I don't want to list any links to right-wing sources, but if you are interested, please google it.

It seems like he manages to offend both sides of the issue by trying to remain in the middle.

[runaway hero]

7. So he is the front runner then.

He's the exact same as Hillary.

[FSogol]

12. Offends both sides? Not true. Kaine on the issue:

Abortion
2016 Planned Parenthood Action Fund - Positions (Lifetime) 100%
2015 Democrats for Life of America - Positions 20%
2015 NARAL Pro-Choice America - Positions 100%
2015 National Right to Life Committee - Positions 0%
2015 Planned Parenthood Action Fund - Lifetime Score 100%
2015 Population Connection - Positions 100%
2014 NARAL Pro-Choice America - Positions 100%
2014 National Right to Life Committee - Positions (June 4, 2014) 0%
2013-2014 Campaign for Working Families - Positions 0%
2013-2014 National Right to Life Committee - Positions (113th Congress, full session) 0%
2013 NARAL Pro-Choice America - Positions 100%
2013 National Right to Life Committee - Positions (Jan. 14, 2014) 0%

Kaine gets a bad rap. He's a good Democrat.
Remember that Joe Biden has the exact same viewpoint.

[Bluenorthwest]

14. As late as 2012 your 'good Democrat' was ranting about finding a way to 'license' same sex

couples without marriage rights or civil unions, both of which Kaine opposed until that opposition made him a glaringly obvious bigot. He's a hate monger who has contributed to the atmosphere of bigotry that creates the violence we see around us. He should not even be considered.

[synergie]

39. I believe the issue being discussed was the abortion one,

and as to marriage equality, there was quite a lot said by "good progressives" that would offend many.

It would seem you are a bit hyperbolic with the "hate monger" terminology and blaming him for violence and bigotry for holding a position that Bernie himself did until the sentiment of the nation changed is rather over the top.

[Bluenorthwest]

73. The issue being discussed is Tim Kaine as VP. Kaine's positon was bigoted, not at all similar to

Bernie's. Not in the slightest. Verbiage like that demonstrates that you do not approach these issues with respect.
Tim exploited LGBT persons for his own advancement for years, a gay baiting conservative. I understand you don't like to hear that fact, but it's the fact nonetheless.

[Silver_Witch]

23. This is the problem with the party a hater is a good Dem!!!

[FSogol]

26. If you think Kaine is a hater, you are just showing you don't know anything about the guy.

He's one of the most compassionate, thoughtful persons in the Senate.

[synergie]

40. The problem with calling Kaine a hater for holding the positions that he did on

topics like marriage equality etc. is that even Bernie qualifies as a "hater" based on his positions against marriage equality in favor of state's rights.

Perhaps turn down the "hater" nonsense a little bit and realize that you need to actually know a bit about what someone has said and done specifically lest you set standards that even your own favorites would fail miserably if fairly applied.

[femmocrat]

32. Yes, and thanks for doing the research.

One article that I read said most of the opposition goes back to when he was governor. Since being in the Senate, his support from the pro-choice establishment has increased or improved. Those are very good ratings.

I know that he and Obama is or were friends and was on the short list for VP. And he is a Roman Catholic (as is Biden), which no doubt shapes his positions.

[FSogol]

34. While he was governor, the GOP tried the clinics must meet the same standards as hospitals" route,

but Kaine blocked all those bills. Of course, Bob McDonnell signed them when they came up again and a lot of clinics closed until Terry McAuliffe reversed it.

[think]

8. Numerous Wall Street donors identified Tim Kaine as their preferred vice president

Numerous Wall Street donors identified Virginia Senator Tim Kaine as their preferred vice presidential nominee.

http://fortune.com/2016/06/20/wall-street-elizabeth-warren/

[TeddyR]

9. I wonder what litmus tests we are imposing on

A potential VP? In other words, what political positions do you think are absolute non-starters?

[runaway hero]

11. IMO

We can't sell a "pro-life" VP to democratic women. Or someone who changed their position on LGBT.

[synergie]

41. I fail to see why you'd thinkthat Democratice women are not pro-life, the pro-choice position

is pro-life, the anti-choice position is not. Kaine is not anti-choice. Also, many people changed their positions on LGBT issues, including Bernie and many others, why would that disqualify anyone?

[dflprincess]

68. Being the preferred choice of Wall Street.

(see post #8)

[FSogol]

10. Yet Planned Parenthood gave him a 100% lifetime rating.

https://votesmart.org/candidate/50772/tim-kaine#.V2rR_6LGDE8

He's personally against abortion, but has always voted to protect a woman's right to chose.
He shouldn't be faulted for that.

[TwilightZone]

13. NARAL 2014 on Tim Kaine: 100%

http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/government-and-you/us-government/congressional-record-on-choice/state-page.html?state=VA

They did, however, appropriately chastise him for the 2009 "crisis pregnancy centers" bill.

[Bluenorthwest]

15. Rainbow avatar defending a man who opposed LGBT rights to even civil Unions less than five

years ago. Ironic.

[TwilightZone]

18. Poster still fighting the primaries...

criticizing others for their avatars supporting solidarity after Orlando: sad.

[Blue_Adept]

36. It's still a black and white world around here for many

Though that's been the way for most of it, it was just we had more nuance posters for a while.

[Vattel]

64. Bullshit. Bluenorthwest's support for LGBT rights has nothing to do with any primary.

[Bluenorthwest]

74. I always criticize affectations of 'support' from those who actuall just make snarky comments to

and about LGBT posters every chance they get. The sport that avatar on cue, but the content is often devoid of empathy, fact or basic decency.


You for example feel free to suggest that my advocacy for LGBT of whom I am one is about the primary. Revoltingly privileged bullshit you fling.

[Silver_Witch]

24. This^^^

[La Lioness Priyanka]

16. Kaine is my least fav of her picks

[obamanut2012]

76. Mine too

He was very anti choice and anti LGBT rights until just a short time ago.

[Sivart]

17. It shouldn't matter......

If he is a D, then that is all that matters.

[VulgarPoet]

20. Big tent...

The fact that we keep getting shovel-headed with "but they'll get rid of abortion if Clinton doesn't get in" by her supporters, coupled with the prospect of a pro-lifer for VP just tells me this tent is way too damn big. If a pro-lifer can somehow contrive to have a D behind their name, the tent is too damn big.

[Sivart]

22. All that matter is defeating Trump.....

that is what Clinton supporters have been telling Sanders supporters all this time. It is selfish to put one's own views and principals above a win for the party. It benefits Trump to do so. This is what we have been told for months.

All that matters is defeating Trump. We don't need a perfect candidate, or even one that we agree with on most things. It just needs to be a Democrat.

[synergie]

43. So one must be against policies that promote life to be a Democrat?

You do realize that the most pro-life position is the pro-choice one, since it promotes sane and rational notions of a doctor and a patient making the best decisions that affect the life and health of a woman, right?

It's time to stop banging one's head with a shovel and pretending it's someone else doing it, and to finally do your homework.

Time Kaine is pro-choice, and if Clinton the Democratic nominee does not get elected we truly will be facing a supreme court that is anti-life, anti-choice and anti-women, that is simple fact and simple reality, even if it it hurts your head to admit it.

It has nothing to do with tents, and I would think it behooves a person with a D behind their name to be pro-life, it's what fuels the fight for healthcare, promote women's rights and ensures that women's lives matter.

Please take some time to actually do some research on the man you've been told falsely holds positions he does not.

http://www.ontheissues.org/Social/Tim_Kaine_Abortion.htm

[geek tragedy]

19. Pro-life is fine, anti-choice isn't nt

[uponit7771]

21. +1

[TwilightZone]

25. Agreed

[runaway hero]

29. From one of the strongest women's right guys here?

Really?

[geek tragedy]

30. i must not have been clear enough

who isn't 'pro-life?'

that's their language, not ours.

what matters is whether women have the choice to govern their own bodies

[runaway hero]

31. And we both agree they should

So why doesn't the potential vice president?

[geek tragedy]

33. supposedly he's 'evolved' nt

[synergie]

44. Really. Learn what the words he wrote mean, you'll be less incredulous.

The pro-life position is the pro-choice one, then anti-choice positions leads to women dying.

[runaway hero]

47. Fine but

How do we sell this? To the center left.

[synergie]

50. Sell what? The actual left understand words.

[runaway hero]

54. *Moderates

I'm talking even center left soccer moms in places, not even the Bernie Bros/Women.

[synergie]

60. What is it that you feel needs selling?

[AntiBank]

27. Kaine also voted with the Repugs for fast track for the TPP

[SheilaT]

28. As I'm fond of pointing out:

If you don't believe in abortion, then don't have one. But do not presume to tell me how to run my life.

[liberalnarb]

35. Sounds a lot like my senator. Bob Casey. I wouldn't want him to be veep either.

[obamanut2012]

37. Kaine is my least favorite of her Veep choices

By far.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

42. I personally oppose abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, and unjust wars.

I believe in a culture of life from the womb to the tomb . However we live in a pluralistic society and many of these decisions reside with the individual.

[apnu]

46. Say it with me. Warren! Warren! Warren! (nt)

[zonkers]

48. Doesn't seem to bother the progressives on these boards.

[HassleCat]

51. I think Kaine would be a poor choice.

It would make it tougher for me to vote for president. I have reconciled myself to voting for our nominee, but Kaine on the ticket would make me have a serious case of buyer's remorse.

[tonyt53]

52. So is Joe Biden, but he keeps his religion (reason for pro-life) separate from his gov't job.

He has stated it over and over. Kaine has stated the very same position as Biden.

[Brother Buzz]

67. ^^^^This^^^^

Late to the party again, or I would have posted the same.

[bigtree]

55. you mean anti-choice

[Retrograde]

57. What are his positions on contraception?

And comprehensive sex education for teens? Those are better ways of preventing abortions than outlawing them.

[Hekate]

70. He upholds secular law.

[jcgoldie]

59. Have been "with her" since the fall

..but I'll be disappointed if the choice is Kaine.

[Ken Burch]

65. He is "anti-choice". We should never have agreed to call anti-choice types "pro-life".

It gives their position an assumed moral privilege it doesn't deserve.

None of us who defend choice are against "life". If we were, we wouldn't go on living.

And it is especially unpleasant to call people "pro-life" when they oppose reproductive choice but support war, the death penalty, and global policies that cause poverty and famine.

[Rauchkp]

66. What if a liberal sees abortion as inherently wrong?

"Pro-life" and "pro-choice" are both political terms trying to frame one's personal views on the issue of abortion in the best possible way. Neither should apply to the issue of abortion alone. In fact, Democrats are unquestionably more pro-life and Republicans are more pro-choice on the vast majority of issues across the political spectrum.

Focusing our language on abortion alone, there are quite a few liberal people who see abortion as something that has no moral foundation. Biologically, human life begins at fertilization, and there is no scientific evidence (nor will there ever be) of fetal afterlife or that aborted babies go anywhere but straight to their deaths. I believe that true pro-lifers should promote paid maternity leave, Medicare-for-all, and other pro-government issues that have become commonplace in most contemporary democratic societies. When linking together the rights of both pregnant mother and unborn child, abortion (in most circumstances) is often seen as a morally unacceptable "solution" to the issues that can arise from pregnancy, undermining the nature of motherhood in itself. True (consistent) pro-lifers should naturally be Democrats and not Republicans.

[uppityperson]

72. Welcome to DU. How are Republicans more pro-choice on the vast majority of issues?

I'm also unclear on what you mean by "undermining the nature of motherhood itself".

I agree that there needs to be a lot more support for parents to be able to provide best for their children.

[Hekate]

69. This has come up here before. He is not anti-choice. He upholds secular law.

In other words, he does not impose his personal religion on the rest of us -- which is what we want in our public officials.

[runaway hero]

71. She should just choose Warren.