Events Forcing Abortion Issue on Kerry

[kskiska]

Reticence as Much Personal As Political, His Aides Say

Sen. John F. Kerry is getting pulled, sometimes reluctantly, into the national debate over abortion as result of recent court action, church politics and some pressure from Democrats outside of his campaign.

The Massachusetts Democrat, who throughout his 30-plus years in public life has tried to balance his personal opposition to abortion with public support for a woman's right to have one, rarely talks about the issue on the campaign trail -- unless he is forced to. Kerry's reluctance to discuss abortion is as much personal as political, reflecting the Democratic presidential candidate's uneasiness in talking about religious views and divisive church issues, aides say.

But recent events, including Tuesday's court ruling that the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act is unconstitutional, are forcing Kerry to deal with an issue that some Democrats fear could complicate his efforts bid to win over independents and disgruntled Republicans and could detract attention from his focus on economic and national security issues.

It started several weeks ago, when a few Roman Catholic leaders began warning that Kerry -- and other politicians who support abortion rights -- should not be allowed to receive Holy Communion because the Catholic Church considers abortion murder. A task force of U.S. bishops is considering whether the church should take action against Catholic politicians who advocate positions contrary to Catholic teaching.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11083-2004Jun2.html

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. I wish just once Kerry would ask if the RCC plans on taking the same tack

with pro-war and pro-death penalty Catholics. That would shut them up.

[kysrsoze]

8. I think he ought to do it. Point out the hypocrisy

He ought to say once and for all, "I believe in a woman's right to consider that option and do so if she decides she must do it."

[JI7]

11. he did say it at least once

maybe last month i think. it was around the time this started and kerry brought up the thing about the death penalty.

[bemildred]

2. "Events" my ass. nt

[Feanorcurufinwe]

3. You said it. nt

[MasonJar]

4. What was that scripture about throwing the first stone? And the

glass houses cliche might also apply.

[JDPriestly]

5. Kerry is not the only candidate

who disagrees with his church's teachings on abortion.
Bush supports the criminalization of abortion although he is a Methodist.

Here is the United Methodist stance on abortion:

Our belief in the sanctity of unborn human life makes us reluctant to approve abortion. But we are equally bound to respect the sacredness of the life and well-being of the mother, for whom devastating damage may result from an unacceptable pregnancy. . . . we recognize tragic conflicts of life with life that may justify abortion, and in such cases we support the legal option of abortion under proper medical procedures. We cannot affirm abortion as an acceptable means of birth control, and we unconditionally reject it as a means of gender selection.

We oppose the use of late-term abortion known as dilation and extraction (partial-birth abortion) and call for the end of this practice except when the physical life of the mother is in danger and no other medical procedure is available, or in the case of severe fetal anomalies incompatible with life. We call all Christians to a searching and prayerful inquiry into the sorts of conditions that may warrant abortion. We commit our Church to continue to provide nurturing ministries to those who terminate a pregnancy, to those in the midst of a crisis pregnancy, and to those who give birth.

Governmental laws and regulations do not provide all the guidance required by the informed Christian conscience. Therefore, a decision concerning abortion should be made only after thoughtful and prayerful consideration by the parties involved, with medical, pastoral, and other appropriate counsel.

http://www.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1732

Of course, the United Methodists have an open communion policy, so Bush does not have to fear denial of that rite. Nevertheless, to the extent that he approves the criminalization of abortion, he is in disagreement with his own church.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

9. Well the church of Lee Atwater sleazeball, divide and conquer politics

says that he can and you can't serve two masters...so there ya go. ;-) (the Jesus thing is just a prop...goes back in a trunk after the cameras are off)

[loyalsister]

10. The Methodist Church has always been prochoice

They filed a friend of the court brief in favor of Roe during the case. Anyone who is interested in the history should read Sarah Weddington's book. She outlines the history of the clergy's involvement. They were early supporters, and even referred young women to "safe" providers in an underground network in TX.
Off topic--
I recently talked to a Baptist pastor recently who said that they were the most logical supporters of choice AND same sex marriage.
His reasons:
They are the people who council young women in their time of crisis and should want them to have a safe place to have a abortion performed if that is the choice she makes. They know it will happen in some cases no matter what the preacher thinks is best and they should want to see that young girl again.
They also council people as they come out of the closet, and if they are serious about the jobs they do, they should want them to have every opportunity for happiness that everyone else has.
WOW!!! I was very impressed to listen to such logical, humanitarian arguments coming from a baptist pastor. I'm basically nontheistic, so I consider myself an observer of religion. I was so pleased to see it observed and practiced with such a high level of appreciation for people! The religious left is out there. It just needs to find it's voice!

[Voltaire99]

6. Better not pander to NASCAR, Kerry.

The candidate had better show some due respect for his base.

[JayS]

7. I'm not a big fan of (the politician) Kerry but I'll be the first to...

...say that he has done a remarkable job in publicly dealing with what is a deeply personal and private issue. This cannot be easy.

[Zynx]

12. The Republicans want to talk about abortion because it solidifies their

base. With most Republicans that I know, opposition to abortion is what keeps them from voting Democrat. If you make it an election year issue, you limit your potential gains.