AP/San Francisco Chronicle Examines Future Of Antiabortion Movement Amid Democratic Control In Washington

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 14 Nov 2008 - 6:00 PST

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The AP/San Francisco Chronicle on Wednesday examined the outlook for the antiabortion movement as its leaders "brace for a future with fewer friends in high places" following Democrats' strong performance in the election. The victory of President-elect Barack Obama, the increased Democratic majority in Congress and the rejection of antiabortion ballot initiatives in South Dakota, Colorado and California were a "stinging defeat" for abortion-rights opponents that has left leaders of the movement "more defiant than deflated," according to the AP/Chronicle. Obama's election also "dashed hopes" among abortion-rights opponents for Supreme Court nominations of judges who might support the reversal of Roe v. Wade, the AP/Chronicle reports. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, said that the outcome of the election on all levels "brings about feelings of great disappointment, of anger ... But that disappointment and anger are forms of energy." He added, "I believe a lot of people on the sidelines for the last eight years will now get engaged."

The AP/Chronicle reports that antiabortion groups are "likely to refocus on street protests, grassroots activism and state legislation" as Democrats take control of both the White House and Congress. Pavone predicted that antiabortion advocates likely will stage more mass demonstrations and abortion clinic vigils. Groups already have scheduled a three-day protest in Washington, D.C., beginning the day after Obama's inauguration, the AP/Chronicle reports. Pavone added that the election results highlight weak points in antiabortion groups' strategy and will lead to efforts to register voters who oppose abortion rights and rally clergy members to be more vocal in future campaigns. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, said, "The election forces the pro-life movement to go back to what we do best -- local grassroots organizing."

The "ever-growing" system of pregnancy centers run by abortion opponents -- which attempt to persuade women with unintended pregnancies to choose raising the infant or adoption over abortion -- is "[a]nother outlet for activism," the AP/Chronicle reports. Melinda Delahoyde -- president of Care Net, which supports 1,100 pregnancy centers -- said the group is focusing expansion efforts on urban areas with high populations of blacks and Latinos. "While legislative efforts to protect the unborn and women from abortion may be limited in future years, the work of pregnancy centers is advancing stronger than ever," she said. Delahoyde also said that antiabortion groups "have a lot to bring to the table" and that she hopes Obama will reach out to groups with different viewpoints on abortion rights (Crary, AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 11/12).

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