While I was thrilled last night that the candidates finally tackled an issue important to many women and an issue that they will have to deal with in their presidency, I was not thrilled with either of their responses. While Sen. Barack Obama went 90% of the way in standing behind women's reproductive freedom, he fell short when he started using Republican terminology such as "partial birth abortion" - something that does not even exist, but was made up by the anti-choice community to sound scary - and claiming he would ban late term abortions. And at no time during his ending remarks about us coming together to end unintended pregnancy did he mention birth control! This is a man endorsed by NARAL and Planned Parenthood and given his pro-choice education at the hand of Kate Michaelman, I was disappointed.
In response to Sen. Obama's comments about a ban on late term abortions (as long an there is as exception for the health of the mother) Sen. John McCain used air quotes to mock "health of the mother"! At that moment, he secured every undecided woman's vote for Barack Obama. He also allowed his true radical thoughts about women, the respect they deserve and their right to choose to shine through.
In an ad that played immediately following the debate, a young woman calls out Gov. Sarah Palin for feeling she should have to carry a child to term after being raped. I believe after his mocking last night, it is clear Sen. John McCain agrees. And in another example of his disregard for womens' health, in a January 2000 interview with Tim Russert John McCain states he understand that due to his policies women could die. I don't believe there should be any further doubt that a John McCain presidency would mean a slip backwards in time for womens' health.
