Question about Ron Paul

[Puregonzo1188]

I know there's a lot of flame wars on DU about Ron Paul and this post is not supposed to start another one, instead it's just a question I've had about Ron Paul for sometime.

Now I know Ron Paul is against a woman's right to choose and I also know that the right to abortion is in the Libertarian Party's platform. I'm just wondering whether this played into or effected his 1988 Presidential run with the Libertarian Party at all or if abortion was never brought up during the campaign.

I don't know why, but since hearing about this I've been curious about it.

Thanks ahead of time for anyone who has an answer.

[Mz Pip]

1. My take on Paul

is that he believes abortion is a States Rights issue.

Not my belief. I believe that what a bunch of people in Alabama believe versus what a bunch of people in California believe should not interfer with a woman's right to make her own decisions.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[Lefta Dissenter]

2. from his website...

"The right of an innocent, unborn child to life is at the heart of the American ideals of liberty. My professional and legislative record demonstrates my strong commitment to this pro-life principle."

Well, while I disagree with him on this and many other issues, at least he is speaking out against the war.

[salvorhardin]

3. He has been unwavering in his opposition to choice

Major Libertarian Candidate Opposes Party Stand on Abortion
By WALLACE TURNER, SPECIAL TO THE NEW YORK TIMES
September 4, 1987

LEAD: As they meet here this weekend to pick a 1988 Presidential nominee, the 321 delegates of the Libertarian Party have a problem arising from their long support of freedom of choice on abortions. One of their leading candidates for the nomination is a staunch opponent of abortion.

As they meet here this weekend to pick a 1988 Presidential nominee, the 321 delegates of the Libertarian Party have a problem arising from their long support of freedom of choice on abortions. One of their leading candidates for the nomination is a staunch opponent of abortion.

The Libertarians, who opened their national convention here today, will select a Presidential nominee Saturday from four candidates. One of them, Ron Paul, a former Republican Congressman from Texas, opposes abortion.

The party's proposed platform supports ''the right of women to make a personal choice regarding the termination of pregnancy.''

Mr. Paul, who joined the Libertarian Party last February, said the division of opinion on abortion showed how the Libertarian Party had grown up since its founding in 1971.

More:http://select.nytimes.com/search/restricted/article?res=F40715F73A580C778CDDA00894DF484D81#

[Puregonzo1188]

4. Thanks, I wondered if it posed a problem before hand.

Do you if after he received the nomination he a) made his anti-choice views part of his campaign b) adopted the LP's platform as his own c) made no mention of the issue. I know there was a bit of an issue in 2004 when the Socialist Party's nominee, Walt Brown, was anti-choice. During debates and stuff he would just revert the party's platform I'm wondering if Ron Paul did a similar thing.

[TruePatriot44]

5. State Rights

While Ron Paul does not like abortion, he is not against a woman's right to choose. He views laws concerning violence against a fetus to be a matter for states to decide. He has repeatedly argued there is nothing in the constitution regarding abortion and the federal government should play no role in the matter.

He believes that the fetus has rights as a living being. He argues that as a doctor he is liable for injuring a fetus and someone who kills a pregnant woman will also face two charges of murder (an additional charge for the fetus). He brings up that this is hypocritical considering a woman can kill her fetus and face no charges. This is why he believes abortion is fundamentally tied to state laws of violence against a fetus. States should determine the rights of a fetus and what punishment should come for harming it.

[pitohui]

6. my rights should be a matter for states to decide?

so if alabama is a slave state and massachusetts is a free state that's okay with him?

or is it only women who are not entitled to freedom regardless of their state of birth or residence?

this guy is no "libertarian," he is an opportunistic scumbag -- like all who wear the libertarian badge in public in my experience!

[TruePatriot44]

8. Absolutely

Your rights are definitely a matter of the state to decide. Its why there are laws protecting your rights.

On the issue of slavery, there is something called the 13th amendment of the constitution *wink wink*. Ron Paul, as the most staunch defender of the constitution and a man of morales would not support states choosing to have slavery.

This comes back to the whole point - there is nothing in the constitution on the matter of abortion or violence against a fetus. He believes the federal government should not be deciding this matter since it has no authority. State governments should determine law concerning violence against a fetus and when it has rights.

[kittykitty]

7. Maybe because Dr. Paul is/was an Ob/Gyn he is opposed to abortion?