A Comprehensive and Unbiased Source of Information on United States Politics

Abortion

An abortion is the removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus from the uterus, resulting in or caused by its death. The two main groups involved in the abortion debate are the pro-choice movement, which generally supports access to abortion and regards it as morally permissible, and the pro-life movement, which generally opposes access to abortion and regards it as morally wrong. The pro-choice movement argues that abortion is right (or permissible) because it allows a woman her right to control her body. The pro-life movement argues that abortion is wrong based on a belief that an embryo is an innocent person with a right to live. They also argue that it deprives the embryo of a valuable future.

Joseph Biden on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Ban on partial-birth abortion, but not over turning Roe
Description: Biden believes that life begins at conception. He has voted no on public funding for abortion, maintaining ban on military abortions, and criminal penalties for harming an unborn fetus during crime.
Citations:
1. South Carolina Democratic debate transcript (8/2/07)
When asked about the public's opinion of partial birth and late term abortions and the actions and stances of the democratic candidates...

"I strongly support Roe v. Wade. I wouldn't have a specific question but I would make sure that the people I sent to be nominated for the Supreme Court shared my values; and understood that there is a right to privacy in the United States Constitution.

That's why I lead the fight to defeat Bork. Thank God he is not in the court or Roe v. Wade would be gone by now.

Number two, that's why I was so outspoken and have been criticized for being outspoken and leading the effort to try to defeat Roberts and Alito. That's why I opposed, the other, Thomas on the court.

The truth of the matter is that this decision was intellectually dishonest. I think it is a rare procedure that should only be available when the woman's life and health is at stake.

But, what this court did is it took that decision, and it said -- put a Trojan horse in -- through dishonest reasoning, laid the groundwork for undoing Roe v. Wade.

That's the danger of this decision. Not the specific procedure, but the rationale offered to justify, I think, the next step they're going to try to take."
2. Senator Joe Biden on Choice (7/13/07)
Has quotes that he said about abortion and also how he has voted on abortion related issues.
Michael Bloomberg on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Pro-Choice
Description: Michael Bloomberg supports a woman's right to choose.
Citations:
1. Mayor Takes Hard Line On Abortion (7/19/07)
Michael Bloomberg criticizes politicians who take a middle ground on abortion and commits himself to "woman's rights"
Sam Brownback on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Pro - Life
Description: Brownback believes that every life, from beginning to end, is sacred. He opposes abortion in all circumstances except to save the mother's life. He believes that even the child of a rape victim should be considered a "viable life." Brownback believes roe v. wade should be overturned and supports pro-life laws. He pledged that as president he would appoint judges who support illegalizing abortion.
Citations:
1. Republican Presidential Debate, June 5, 2007 (8/6/07)
"I think it's the life issue clearly, and I'm pro-life and I'm whole life.

And one of the things I'm the most -- the proudest about our party about is that we've stood for life. We've been a party that has stood for a culture of life. And it was in our platform in 1980, and it continues today.

And with that respect -- and I have respect for my other colleagues -- that's why I don't think we can nominate somebody that's not pro-life in this party, because it is at our core.

We believe that every life is beautiful, is sacred, is a child of a loving God from natural -- from conception to natural death.

And that applies not only here and in the womb, it applies to somebody that's in poverty, it applies to the child in Darfur.

And that philosophy, being pro-life and whole life, is something I think can really help move us forward as a country and as a party."
2. Republican Debate Transcript, South Carolina (7/26/07)
On May 15, 2007 Fox News moderated the second debate between Republican presidential candidates running for the 2008 bid. It was held in Columbia, South Carolina. Speakers included:
Sam Brownback, Member (R - KS), U.S. Senate
James S. Gilmore
Rudy Giuliani
Duncan Hunter
Mike Huckabee
John McCain, Member, U.S. Senate (R-Ariz.)
Ron Paul
Mitt Romney
Tom Tancredo
Tommy Thompson
3. Brownback at CPAC: Roe v. Wade should be overturned (7/26/07)
Brownback's position on Roe v. Wade
4. Brownback is Pro-Life (7/26/07)
Brownback speaks about his Pro-life stance (video)
Hillary Clinton on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Pro-Choice
Description: Clinton has expressed that she is personally opposed to abortion, but she does not believe it should be illegal. Clinton has been a staunch supporter of the legal right of a woman to end her pregnancy by abortion as determined in the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision of 1973. Clinton believes that the acceptance and availability of birth control and sex education will reduce unwanted pregnancies and the number of abortions. A July 13, 2005 New York Times article titled "The Evolution of Hillary Clinton" characterizes Clinton as seeking to find middle ground between voters with various views on the criminalization of abortion. In April 2007 Clinton expressed dismay at the Supreme Court's Gonzales v. Carhart ruling that upheld the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. National Abortion Rights Action League gave Clinton a score of "100%". She votes in favor of maintaining the legality of abortion with every vote on the subject.
Citations:
1. Remarks to the NYS Family Planning Providers (7/5/07)
Hillary want support for programs that reinforce the idea that abstinence at a young age is not just the smart thing to do, it is the right thing to do. But we should also recognize what works and what doesn't work, and to be fair, the jury is still out on the effectiveness of abstinence-only programs. She doesnt want the debate to be about ideology, it should be about facts and evidence.
2. GOP hopefuls laud abortion ruling (7/5/07)
In April 2007 Clinton expressed dismay at the Supreme Court's Gonzales v. Carhart ruling that upheld the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.
3. Congrssional Record on Choice (7/5/07)
The full 2005 record of Hillary's votes regarding abortion.
John Cox on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Pro-Life
Description: Stand for the rights of the unborn. Pro-life without exception, from conception to natural death. If there is a question about protecting life versus protecting someone's personal choices, we should ALWAYS resolve it in life's favor. We should embrace the broadest possible definition of life, and err on the side of protecting it. Government has a role in defining life as a fundamental right. - John Cox Campaign Site
Citations:
1. Standing For Life (9/9/07)
As president, I will stand for the rights of the unborn. I am proudly pro-life without exception, from conception to natural death. If there is a question about protecting life versus protecting someone's personal choices, we should ALWAYS resolve it in life's favor. We should embrace the broadest possible definition of life, and err on the side of protecting it. Government has a role in defining life as a fundamental right.
Christopher Dodd on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Pro-Choice
Description: Dodd stated, "Abortion isn't something that I take very great joy in occurring. I think it ought to be rare, safe and legal. That's been my position on it for years. We ought to be working together on how we reduce the incidents of abortion. Why not do more to help out, in terms of expanding the opportunities for adoption? Giving people other choices. We've been screaming at each other about abortion now for 34 years. It's about time, the law being what it is, that we try to reduce the number of incidents of it, provide the kind of support for families and women so they're not confronted with only that choice."
Citations:
1. Democratic Candidates' Debate for April 26, 7 p.m. ET (7/24/07)
Dodd fields a question about abortion during a debate.
2. CNN Newsroom (7/24/07)
"Abortion isn't something that I take very great joy in occurring. I think it ought to be rare, safe and legal. That's been my position on it for years. We ought to be working together on how we reduce the incidents of abortion. Why not do more to help out, in terms of expanding the opportunities for adoption? Giving people other choices. We've been screaming at each other about abortion now for 34 years. It's about time, the law being what it is, that we try to reduce the number of incidents of it, provide the kind of support for families and women so they're not confronted with only that choice." - Dodd
John Edwards on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Pro-Choice
Description: John Edwards is Pro-Choice.
Citations:
1. South Carolina Democratic debate transcript (8/2/07)
When asked about the public's opinion of partial birth and late term abortions and the actions and stances of the democratic candidates, John Edwards responded with:

"No, I don't believe it is. I would say first that this decision by the Supreme Court is actually a perfect example of what's at stake in this election. The kind of people that will be appointed to the United States Supreme Court by the next president will control whether a woman's freedom, freedom to choose, make her own health care decisions will be made by her or will be made by the government or by some men sitting on the United States Supreme Court.

So I think it's really crucial for all voters who are listening to this debate, including here in South Carolina, to make a very hard decision about who's most likely to be strong in winning this election.

Now, on the issue of abortion, I think -- I believe in a woman's right to choose, but I think this is an extraordinarily difficult issue for America.

And I think it is very important for the president of the United States to recognize, while I believe the government should not make these health-care decisions for women -- I believe they should have the freedom to make them themselves -- this is a very difficult issue for many people. And I think we have to show respect for people who have different views about this."
2. Abortion Rights Activist Backs Edwards (7/6/07)
This article discusses why pro-choice activist Kate Michelman is supporting the Edwards campaign.
Newt Gingrich on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Anti-Abortion
Description: Newt Gingrich does not believe abortion should be legal and believes there should be rights for the unborn.
Citations:
1. Exclusive "American View" Interview: Newt Gingrich On Abortion, Homosexuality, Biblical Government; Rejects "Narrow" View Of Our Founders (8/26/07)
An interview with The American Review where Newt Gingrich Talks about abortion. The American Review's website no longer works so we have to use the google cache. Im not sure this is the best source.
Rudolph Giuliani on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Pro-Choice
Description: Giuliani personally believes abortion is morally wrong but respects and upholds a woman's right to choose. He advocates measures to decrease abortions (i.e. adoption). Giuliani supports the ban on partial-birth abortion, the Hyde amendment, and parental notification.
Citations:
1. Republican Presidential Debate, June 5, 2007 (8/5/07)
"And my view on abortion is that it's wrong, but that ultimately government should not be enforcing that decision on a woman.

That is my view that I -- I consult my religion. I consult my reading of the Constitution. I consult my views of what I think are important in a pluralistic society, and the reality that we have to respect the fact that there are people that are equally as religious, equally as moral, that make a different decision about this, and should government put them in jail?"
2. Republican Debate Transcript, South Carolina (8/4/07)
"I think we can agree, all of us on this stage, that we should seek reductions in abortion. I ultimately do believe in a woman's right of choice, but I think that there are ways in which we can reduce abortions. Abortions went down 16 percent when I was the mayor. Adoptions went up 133 percent during the eight years that I was mayor, compared to the prior eight years. So there are ways in which we can work together and achieve results that we all want."
3. Giuliani sets himself apart on abortion (6/25/07)
2007 GOP Republican primary debate held at the Reagan library on May 3, 2007, hosted by MSNBC
4. Giuliani Hones Abortion Stance for GOP Primary (11/2/07)
Pro-abortion GOP presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani says that as president, he would appoint strict constructionist Supreme Court judges who believe the constitution does not guarantee the right to abortion. That's also the belief of Republican primary voters who Giuliani needs to win the nomination.
5. Giuliani Shifts Abortion Speech Gently to Right (10/25/07)
Rudolph W. Giuliani takes with him a belief in abortion rights that many think could derail his bid to capture the Republican nomination.
Al Gore on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Pro-Choice
Description: Al Gore opposed the ban on partial-birth abortions and opposes legal protection for unborn children. Al Gore supports using tax dollars to pay for abortion. Gore also believes parents do not have the right to be informed that their minor daughter is pregnant and considering an abortion.
Citations:
1. Bush and Gore Strike Sparks in First Debate (9/27/07)
...Gore said, he would appoint those who support a woman's right to an abortion. "Here's the difference: He trusts the government to order a woman to do what he thinks she ought to do," Gore said. "I trust women to make the decisions that affect their lives, their destinies and their bodies."
2. Al Gore Selects Pro-Abortion Lieberman as Running Mate (7/19/07)
A stance on abortion for Gore and Lieberman
Mike Gravel on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Pro-Choice
Description: In response to the ruling regarding the legality of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 Gravel stated, "I am opposed to today's ruling that places restrictions on reproductive freedom. Today's decision authorizes federal intervention to prohibit a procedure that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has found at times to be medically necessary. Any decision on abortion should remain between a woman and her doctor. There is no room for interference from politicians and judges. Gravel is also an advocate of embryonic stem cell research
Citations:
1. The Issues (7/25/07)
Mike Gravel gives his stance on a variety of key election issues on his campaign website
2. On the Issues: Abortion (7/25/07)
Candidates views on the topic of abortion
Chuck Hagel on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Anti-Abortion
Description: Senator Chuck Hagel is pro-life and has supported everyone of President Bush's judicial nominees.
Citations:
1. Issues: Pro-Life (8/14/07)
Senator Hagel has been a consistent supporter of life since he came to the Senate and has supported everyone of President Bush's judicial nominees, including Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Samuel Alito.
Mike Huckabee on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Pro-life
Description: He believes life begins at conception. Huckabee stated, "I support and have always supported passage of a constitutional amendment to protect the right to life. My convictions regarding the sanctity of life have always been clear and consistent, without equivocation or wavering. I believe that Roe v. Wade should be over-turned." He also supports a ban on partial birth abortion.
Citations:
1. Republican Debate Transcript, South Carolina (8/4/07)
"... But I'm pro-life because I believe life begins at conception, and I believe that we should do everything possible to protect that life because it is the centerpiece of what makes us unique as an American people. We value the life of one as if it's the life of all, and that's why we go out for the 12-year-old Boy Scout in North Carolina when he's lost; that's why we look for the 13 miners in Sago, West Virginia, when the mine explodes; that's why we go looking for the hikers in Mount Hood, because we value life, and it's what separates us from the Islamic jihadists who are out to kill us. They celebrate death. They have a culture of death. Ours is a culture of life.
Now, if something is morally wrong, let's oppose it. The honest argument is I don't think it's morally wrong, and someone could take that position and then justify abortion. But if it's wrong, then we ought to be opposed to it, and we ought to find ways to find better ways to deal with our respect for human life."
2. Interview with Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (7/25/07)
washingtonpost.com's Chris Cillizza and Washington Post reporter Dan Balz interviewed Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) on May 16 as part of an ongoing series of conversations with potential 2008 presidential candidates.
3. Issues: Sanctity of LIfe (7/25/07)
Huckabee's pro-life views on abortion, roe v. wade, and stem cell research from his website.
4. Mike Huckabee Fox New GOP Debate 4 (7/25/07)
Mike Huckabee responds to Rudy Guilianis stance on abortion.
Duncan Hunter on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Pro-Life
Description: Suppports a Right to Life Amendment: "I would amend the U.S. Constitution and provide blanket protection to all unborn children from the moment of conception by prohibiting any state or federal law that denies the personhood of the unborn. Likewise, I have also introduced the Right to Life Act, which would legally define "personhood" as the moment of conception and, therefore, guarantee all constitutional rights and protections, including life, to the unborn without utilizing a constitutional amendment."
Citations:
1. Hunter's Core Principles (7/24/07)
Hunter's positions on a variety of key election issues from his official website.
Dennis Kucinich on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Pro-Choice
Description: Kucinich believes abortions should always be legal.
Citations:
1. South Carolina Democratic debate transcript (8/2/07)
When asked about Roe v. Wade and its impact on potential supreme court justice appointees...

"Any of my appointments to the high court would necessarily reflect my thinking. I don't know how it could be otherwise. I intend to be a president who's a healer, who understands that this country has been put in a debate that has torn it apart.

But the truth of the matter is, it's possible, I believe, to take a course of action where you can get all the people of America in support of a culture of life which includes prenatal care, postnatal care, child care, universal health care, a living wage, all those things that give support to life.

And we also need to listen carefully to those who are concerned about abortion.

At the same time, a healer as president would help reconcile this nation, and cause a woman's right to privacy to be protected unquestioningly, protect Roe v. Wade, but also go out and listen to people and engage people and open up hearts -- because this is an issue that requires an enormous amount of compassion, and that's the approach I would take."


2. Congressional Election 2006 National Political Awareness Test (7/9/07)
A survey Kucinich took about which issues he would support if he became president.
3. ALL of Dennis Kucinich's replies @ 11-15-07 Dem. debate (11/16/07)
Kucinich would appoint pro-choice judges to the Supreme Court.
John McCain on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Pro-Life
Description: "I'd love to see a point where it is irrelevant, and could be repealed because abortion is no longer necessary. But certainly in the short term, or even the long term, I would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade, which would then force X number of women in America to [undergo] illegal and dangerous operations." - John McCain
Citations:
1. McCain Softens Abortion Stand (7/5/07)
McCain clears up comments he made to CNN.
Barack Obama on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Pro-Choice
Description: "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." - Barack Obama
Citations:
1. South Carolina Democratic debate transcript (8/2/07)
When asked about the public's opinion of partial birth and late term abortions and the actions and stances of the democratic candidates...

"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.

And I think that's where most Americans are.

Now, when you describe a specific procedure that accounts for less than 1 percent of the abortions that take place, then naturally, people get concerned, and I think legitimately so.

But the broader issue here is: Do women have the right to make these profoundly difficult decisions? And I trust them to do it.

Now, there is a broader issue, though. And that is can we move past some of the debates around which we disagree and can we start talking about the things we do agree on? Reducing teen pregnancy; making it less likely for women to find themselves in the circumstances where they've got to anguish over these decisions.

Those are areas where I think we can all start mobilizing and move forward rather than look backwards."
2. Obama's Past Offers Ammo for Critics (7/5/07)
This article discusses Barack Obama's voting record in the Illinois senate.
3. Planned Parenthood Action Fund - Barack Obama (7/5/07)
This page details Barack Obama's voting history when it comes to abortion.
4. Senator Barack Obama (10/4/07)
Quotes and voting record for Obama on abortion.
Ron Paul on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Pro-Life but Favors State Regulation Over Government Regulation
Description: Representative Ron Paul holds that the United States Constitution does not grant the federal government any authority to legalize or ban abortion. He personally opposes abortions. He believes that his pro-life stance aligns with his libertarianism, on the premise that abortion is aggression against a person.
Citations:
1. Federalizing Social Policy (7/5/07)
Ron Paul talks about how abortion is not a constitutional issue.
2. H.R 4379 (7/5/07)
Ron Paul introduced H.R. 4379 that would prohibit the Supreme Court from ruling on issues relating to abortion, birth control, the definition of marriage and homosexuality and states that the court's precedent in these areas would no longer be binding.
3. Ron Paul Interview (7/5/07)
Ron Paul briefly discussed his view of the proper role of the federal government and states in regulating abortion.
4. Life and Liberty (7/28/07)
"Many talk about being pro-life. I have taken direct action to restore protection for the unborn."
5. Sanctity of Life Act of 2007 (HR 1094 IH) (7/28/07)
Ron Paul proposed this bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. It attempted to define life as: "To provide that human life shall be deemed to exist from conception."
6. Sanctity of Life Act of 2007 (HR 2597 IH) (7/28/07)
This is the bill that Ron Paul introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that defines life as beginning at conception.
7. Ron Paul's Abortion Rhetoric (10/3/07)
in 1981, Ron Paul made some harsh remarks about pro-choice. This article examines if his stance puts him at odds with his libertarian ties.
Bill Richardson on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Pro-Choice
Description: Richardson stated, "And I want to protect the rights and health of our younger women too. The right to control their own reproductive choices, and the right to medical privacy. I am the ONLY candidate to explicitly commit to protecting Roe v. Wade through appointing ONLY Supreme Court justices who recognize it as settled law. Some people call this a "litmus test." I call it respecting precedent and putting women's lives above politics.The United States should end the global gag rule on family planning and restore funding for women's health research here in the United States. "
Citations:
1. Speech: Women for Richardson Announcement (7/24/07)
Speech given in New Hampshire on 07/16/2007 in which Richardson announced his national platform for women.
Mitt Romney on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Pro-Life
Description: "He describes himself as pro-life, argues that Roe v. Wade should be replaced with state abortion regulations, and cites the science he studied amid a legislative debate over embryonic stem cell research as the basis for his position." - MSNBC
Citations:
1. Republican Presidential Debate, June 5, 2007 (8/5/07)
"Well, people can look at my record. I'm not going to apologize for the fact that I became pro-life. I served as governor. As I was governor, as we were debating cloning and as we were debating also embryo farming, I said Roe v. Wade has gone too far."
2. Mitt Romney says he opposes abortion (7/19/07)
Talk about how Mitt Romney has had two epiphany's in regards to abortion.
3. What Romney Believes (7/19/07)
Talks about Romney's struggle with abortion issues
Tom Tancredo on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Pro-Life
Description: "The innocent unborn enjoy a God given right to life. Roe is a scar on the moral and intellectual history of the country; but, contrary to popular belief, overturning it would merely permit and not require states to prohibit abortion. To protect life, we also need to educate the public about the second victim of abortion, the mother who is subject to potential life long medical and emotional scarring." - Tom Tancredo
Citations:
1. Preserving Life (7/26/07)
A summary of Tancredo's feelings on Abortion
Fred Thompson on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Pro-Life
Description: Thompson does not believe abortion should be criminalized but states should have the right to impose "reasonable restrictions on abortions such as parental notification" and that, "The ultimate decision on abortion should be left with the woman and not the government." As a senator, Thompson voted for legislation to ban so-called partial-birth abortion and to prohibit federal funding of abortions except in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is in danger. Thompson opposes embryonic stem cell research, but supports adult stem cell research.
Citations:
1. EXCLUSIVE: Fred Thompson Pro-Life Video Address (7/24/07)
A pre-recorded Fred Thompson video addressing the National Right to Life conference tonight in Kansas City. Because of his schedule, he couldn't be there in person so instead he recorded a two and a half minute video for the pro-life crowd.
2. Interest Flares for Thompson's Papers (7/24/07)
Article discussing findings in the politicians old papers and possible inconsistencies in his political stances.
3. Fred on the Issues (7/24/07)
Video of Thompson answering questions regarding his stance on a variety of issues
4. Fred Thompson Talks about Abortion (7/24/07)
Fred Thompson gives his views on whether or not abortion should be criminalized.
5. Fred Thompson at the Orlando Debate (1 of 5) (10/26/07)
Fred did some work for planned parenthood in his days as a lawyer but says he has voted anti-abortion in every bill in the Senate.
Tommy Thompson on Abortion More on this candidate
Stance: Pro-Life
Description: Governor Tommy Thompson is pro-life but believes the constitution leaves the decision up to individual states to decide.
Citations:
1. GOP Presidential Candidates Debate for May 3, 2007 (7/26/07)
"I believe [abortion laws] should be left up to the states. That was what was originally implied, and the Constitution was changed when the Supreme Court made the decision.

I, like a lot of people up here, have made a record of pro-life for a long time, signing the partial-birth abortion, pre-notification for parents and so on."



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