John McCain is Strongly Anti-Abortion

List by: Picka

Last Updated: 9/6/2008

At the Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency, John McCain, when asked at what point a baby is entitled to human rights, replied without hesitation, “Life begins at conception”. His audience of evangelicals cheered his response.

What indeed would this mean for a John McCain presidency? In his own words:

“I have a 25-year pro-life record in the Congress, [and] in the Senate”. ^[1]

“As President of the United States, I will be a pro-life President, and this Presidency will have pro-life policies”. ^[1]

"I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned." ^[2]

“With all due respect, [I would not have nominated Supreme Court] Justice Ginsburg, Justice Breyer, Justice Souter, and Justice Stevens”…[supporters of Roe versus Wade]. ^[1]

“There will be two maybe three vacancies [on Supreme Court]. Nomination should be based on the criteria of proven record of strictly adhering to the Constitution of the United States of America". ^[1]

McCain will not change the 2004 Republican Party Platform on abortion.

Although McCain has sought to change the Party Platform on abortion to make exceptions for incest, rape and health, he no longer will push for that change to avoid alienating his evangelical voting base.

Abstinence from sexual activity is the only protection that is 100 percent effective against out-of-wedlock pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, including sexually transmitted HIV/AIDS. ^[3]

Supports doubling abstinence education funding. ^[3]

Opposes school-based clinics that provide referrals, counseling, and related services for contraception and abortion. ^[3]

Opposes abortion, but our pro-life agenda does not include punitive action against women who have an abortion. [note no exceptions for incest, rape, or health of mother]. ^[3]

Supports a human life amendment to the Constitution. ^[3]

Endorses legislation to make it clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protections apply to unborn children. ^[3]

Endorses legislative and judicial protection of that right against those who perform abortions. ^[3]

What are the implications of a McCain Presidency?

All kinds of embryo research become questionable, starting with the stem-cell research. ^[4]

Couples who undergo in vitro fertilization and then choose not to implant all the embryos would surely be violating the rights of those that are discarded or frozen. ^[4]

Some forms of contraception, such as IUDs and the morning-after pill, would presumably be illegal if they affect the ability of an egg to implant. ^[4]

The birth control pill itself, while designed to prevent ovulation so no egg is fertilized in the first place, may also have the effect of blocking implantation of any egg that sneaks through. ^[4]

Doctors performing abortions for whatever reason would be criminalized. ^[4]

Is this what the general public and especially women really want?

Few Americans (less than 20 percent) want to return to an America in which abortion is almost always illegal. ^[5]

And 46 percent of women backing John McCain also want Roe v. Wade to remain the law of the land. ^[5]

If they knew McCain's true views on reproductive rights, most would not vote for him. ^[5]

Yet the President's appointment of Federal Judges and Supreme Court judges could significantly influence the direction the country takes on social issues like abortion.

Categories: Abortion & Womens Rights
People: John McCain

List Views: 331

List Sources

[1]
Article: Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency - Thirty Thousand Organization, Saturday, August 16, 2008
[2]
Article: Sen. John McCain: 'I Do Not Support Roe v. Wade' - Fox News, Monday, February 19, 2007
[3]
Link: Republican Party Platform - 2004 - Friday, August 22, 2008
[4]
Article: McCain and Obama on Abortion - Time Magazine, Sunday, August 17, 2008
[5]
Article: Abortion Contortion - Slate, Thursday, August 21, 2008