McCain Presidency Poses 'Danger' To Women's Reproductive Rights, Opinion Piece Says

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Abortion;  Sexual Health / STDs;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 12 Mar 2008 - 10:00 PDT

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Any voter who "worries about governments dictating to women what they can do with their bodies needs to understand the danger" posed by electing Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to the presidency, St. Petersburg Times columnist Robyn Blumner writes in an opinion piece. Blumner writes that there is "no moderate McCain or reach-across-the-aisle McCain" on issues related to abortion rights, birth control and sex education, adding that he is an "antagonist of sensible family planning and effective sex education."

According to Blumner, McCain has said he thinks Roe v. Wade should be overturned and wants to promote a "nation of traditional values that protects the rights of the unborn." McCain has promised to "nominate strict constructionist judges," which is code for "will overturn Roe if given half a chance," according to Blumner. McCain also supports the so-called "global gag rule," which bars overseas family planning groups from receiving U.S. funds if they advise clients on abortion or advocate for legal abortion, Blumner writes. In 2005 and 2006, he voted against funding for services to reduce unplanned pregnancies and for comprehensive, medically accurate sex education for youth, Blumner writes, adding that McCain "is much more comfortable with President Bush's wasteful and utterly ineffective" abstinence-only sex education approach.

Women in the U.S. are "on the cusp of losing the right to control our bodies and determine our family size," and a McCain presidency "promises as much," Blumner writes, concluding, "Roe can't survive another president like Bush, and McCain is promising to be just like him" (Blumner, St. Petersburg Times, 3/9).

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