I have a question about Sen. Obama, for those in the know:

[kestrel91316]

What is Obama's stand on abortion rights for women? I can find no mention of reproductive rights on his website. In other words, is he or is he not UNEQUIVOCABLY PRO-CHOICE??

This matters to me. Any candidate who is not pro-choice is not EVER going to get my vote. I'll stay home before I will give them the time of day.

And no, I am NOT a Clintonite at this time.

[MadBadger]

1. 100% Rating by NARAL

He is Pro-Choice, dont let anybody tell you otherwise.

[polichick]

2. I've heard him speak about this...

Even when talking to fundies, he says that it's a matter of privacy and he supports the right to choose.

[Levgreee]

3. He is completely pro-choice, strongly believes in the separation of church+state nt

[cali]

4. then you weren't looking. He's 100% pro-choice

including the wrongly named "partial birth abortion". He's got a 100% rating from NARAL and he speaks about his support for choice frequently.

[kestrel91316]

5. Perhaps you could send a link to where on his website it mentions NARAL

rating him. I looked and gave up.

[Cant trust em]

8. Can you send me a link

to where it shows this on the website? I'm looking in the issues section and can't find it. Or at least it isn't readily apparent where it is. I'm a supporter, I just want to know where to find the official source.

[maximusveritas]

13. Here's one

http://www.barackobama.com/factcheck/2008/01/08/fact_check_obamas_strong_proch.php

But really, you shouldn't be relying on just campaign websites for info

[Cant trust em]

14. That's true, but a candidate should have these things on their site

instead of trying to filter information through other articles doing Google searches to find out. If we want to know where a candidate stands they should tell us.

[kestrel91316]

18. I'm not, but I was a bit concerned when I saw no mention of

abortion rights on his site, and thought it odd.

I guess he doesn't feel the need to harp on it, lol. Probably figures every knows already where he stands.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

6. He's so pro-choice he makes Kucinich look like Eric Rudolph.

Oh yes I went there.

:P

[kestrel91316]

7. Thank you to the first three responders who refrained from getting snarky.

I have not previously heard about the NARAL 100% rating. It's definitely good enough for me.

[MH1]

10. Also

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/womenissues

REPRODUCTIVE CHOICE
Supports a Woman’s Right to Choose:
Barack Obama understands that abortion is a divisive issue, and respects those who disagree with him. However, he has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving women’s rights under Roe v. Wade a priority as President. He opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in that case.

Preventing Unwanted Pregnancy:
Barack Obama is an original co-sponsor of legislation to expand access to contraception, health information and preventive services to help reduce unintended pregnancies. Introduced in January 2007, the Prevention First Act will increase funding for family planning and comprehensive sex education that teaches both abstinence and safe sex methods. The Act will also end insurance discrimination against contraception, improve awareness about emergency contraception, and provide compassionate assistance to rape victims.

[Fresh_Start]

9. here's a nice response from Obama on the issue

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/06/obama-explores-abortion-issue/

But I too believe it should be clear on his website

[rox63]

11. Planned Parenthood of Illinois (his home state) loves Obama

And Kate Michelman (former head of NARAL) recently endorsed him.

[Nailzberg]

12. "More Pro-Choice Than NARAL"

That's what wingers say about him:

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=18647

[kestrel91316]

19. HAHAHAHA!!! Good.

[Nailzberg]

15. Check out this video if you have the time. Obama speaking at PP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUl99id2SvM

A friend of mine had this on her myspace. (She works in development for Planned Parenthood, women's health is her first voting consideration.) It's 20 minutes or so.

[grantcart]

23. please see # 21 below thanks

[katty]

16. Barack on pro-choice

http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/elections/statements/obama.html

[kestrel91316]

20. I definitely approve of THAT message.

[rox63]

17. Found this on his site

http://women.barackobama.com/page/community/post/stephaniefine/C7Ly

Illinois NOW’s story on Obama has changed over time

By Steve Trombley
President & CEO of Planned Parenthood/Chicago Area

I’m here to set the record straight about Barack Obama’s record on reproductive choice. Barack Obama has always been committed to a woman’s right to choose. He has a 100% pro-choice voting record both in the U.S. Senate and the Illinois Senate.

Barack Obama has NEVER wavered.

You wouldn’t know this from Illinois NOW’s recent statements on Obama’s record. The fact is that it is NOT Obama who has wavered, Illinois NOW is the one who’s changed its mind.

When Obama was an Illinois state senator he worked with Planned Parenthood to develop a strategy combating a series of extreme anti-choice measures designed to paint pro-choice legislators into a corner. Obama and numerous other state senators voted “present” on these bills in order to protest the politicization of the health and safety of Illinois women. Illinois is one of the few states that allows legislators to voice their objections to legislation through a “present” vote. These “present” votes are counted in the official roll call of the bill, and they DO affect the outcome. For all intents and purposes, they are a vote against the bill. As a matter of fact, Senator Obama wanted to vote “no” on these bills. But, he stood with his colleagues in protest against the anti-choice extremists who controlled the Illinois Senate at the time.

During his time as a state senator, no major pro-choice organization questioned Obama’s present votes. Instead, Obama received endorsements from Personal PAC, NARAL of Illinois PAC, the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council, and, YES, EVEN Illinois NOW.

That’s right! Illinois NOW endorsed Barack Obama in his elections in 1998 and 2002 AFTER he voted “present” on several bills. As Illinois NOW officials have stated, they were aware of the “present” vote strategy, and they still endorsed him. They also endorsed several other prominent Illinois politicians who voted the same way.

It is only after years have past that Illinois NOW has changed its mind. Apparently, these days they don’t agree with the strategy that they originally endorsed. Why didn’t they think that in 1998 or 2002?

I don’t know why Illinois NOW has changed its opinion of Barack Obama since his record has remained the same and since his time as a state senator, he has only demonstrated a full and steady commitment to choice.

I don’t take issue with Illinois NOW having a preference for a woman candidate for President. However, I do take issue with their distortion of Obama’s record.

My organization has not made an endorsement yet because we have two solidly 100% pro-choice candidates running for President. However, we feel it is important to defend Senator Obama (or any candidate) who has stood with us to protect our precious reproductive freedoms.

If we don’t defend people who stand with us, how can we ever expect them to be there when the going gets tough?

[grantcart]

21. Please watch this and it will answer your questions about

Obama on choice and why somepeople are confused about it


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVuMYKs8iJs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7llr2oLjDN0

[Nailzberg]

25. Hadn't seen the San Fran video. Thanks!

[grantcart]

26. she is great

[bigwillq]

22. He is pro-choice (nt)

[TheWraith]

24. He is. 100% rating from NARAL, and you know how hard they are to please. NT