FRC Blog » President Obama’s abortion statement

FRC Blog » President Obama’s abortion statement

"On the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we are reminded that this decision not only protects women’s health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters. I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose.

"While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue, no matter what our views, we are united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce the need for abortion, and support women and families in the choices they make. To accomplish these goals, we must work to find common ground to expand access to affordable contraception, accurate health information, and preventative services.

"On this anniversary, we must also recommit ourselves more broadly to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights and opportunities as our sons: the chance to attain a world-class education; to have fulfilling careers in any industry; to be treated fairly and paid equally for their work; and to have no limits on their dreams. That is what I want for women everywhere."

Andrew Tallman had some good points about this statement, notably that Obama doesn't mind gov't intruding on any other medical matter. I would add that if Obama truly was determined to prevent unintended pregnancies, he would support abstinence-only education (or at least education that tells the significant failure rates of condoms and illustrates how shipping condoms at high temperatures -- by truck through the sun belt, for example -- makes them less effective). I would hardly call killing unborn babies a "private family matter" when it's the nullification of family (just as the proper term would be "Planned Unparenthood").