New Republic Examines Efforts Of Democrats Who Oppose Abortion Rights

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 11 Aug 2008 - 6:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

The New Republic on Friday examined how the advocacy work of groups such as Democrats for Life of America to change the Democratic Party platform on abortion is "welcomed by some Democrats as a way to broaden the party's support," while "others see them threatening the party's principles." Kristen Day, executive director of Democrats for Life, said, "Republicans do nothing to help pregnant women who are facing pregnancy." She said many women lack the resources to sustain a healthy pregnancy, adding, "If you make abortion illegal, what are these women going to do?"

The Democratic Party's platform calls for abortion to be "safe, legal and rare." In 2004, Democrats decided not to add language to the platform that called for a reduction in the abortion rate. A 186-member Democratic platform drafting committee last week accepted submissions on suggestions to change the platform, including Democrats for Life's suggestion of adding language calling for the reduction of abortions. The proposal does not mention Roe v. Wade, according to the New Republic. Over this weekend, the committee will finalize a draft to recommend to the national convention. Ramona Oliver, communications director of EMILY's List, said, "These kinds of efforts are perennial. They're based on the assumption that Democrats' position isn't in the mainstream, and that's just wrong. They've not succeeded in curtailing Democrat's principles, and I don't think they will in the future."

According to the New Republic, the debate over language in the platform is a "proxy war in larger internecine face-off: What role should pro-life activists play in a pro-choice party?" Day said many positions consistent with a stance opposing abortion could be supported by supporters of abortion rights, including forbidding insurance companies from classifying pregnancy as a pre-existing condition, which would make coverage more accessible for pregnant women. However, other proposals supported by Democrats for Life have been criticized by abortion-rights supporters, such as granting health insurance to fetuses, encouraging ultrasounds for women considering abortions and requiring "informed consent" forms from women seeking abortions, the New Republic reports.

"It's been our view as Democrats that women should make their decisions based on their moral values," Kate Michelman, former president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said, adding, "The pro-life Democrats' language is a means to an end, and the end is to limit abortions." Michelman said she supports pledges to reduce the "need for abortion," while Day said she believes there is "never a need for abortion." Day said if her group does not succeed in changing the party's platform this year, it will try again in 2012, adding, "I truly believe my party will be the one to solve this issue" (Zimmerman, New Republic, 8/8).

Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.

© 2008 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.

• Additional
• References
• Citations