A Woman’s Choice – The Road to the White House

by Nicole Carcel, NWPC LA Westside Board Member

President Barack Obama released a statement on Sunday, January 22, 2012, reaffirming his commitment to protect a woman's right to choose.

His moving statement was delivered on the 39th anniversary of the landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court on the issue of abortion, Roe v. Wade.

“As we mark the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we must remember that this Supreme Court decision not only protects a woman’s health and reproductive freedom, but also affirms a broader principle: that government should not intrude on private family matters. I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose and this fundamental constitutional right. While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue -- no matter what our views, we must stay united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, support pregnant woman and mothers, reduce the need for abortion, encourage healthy relationships, and promote adoption. And as we remember this historic anniversary, we must also continue our efforts to ensure that our daughters have the same rights, freedoms, and opportunities as our sons to fulfill their dreams” 

    –President Barack Obama

2012 will undoubtedly be one of the most watched political years in our nation’s history.  As we look to the future it is imperative that we choose a leader who believes in equality, period.

In my opinion there is a clear champion in the 2012 Presidential Election.  Here are a few facts and statements about two of our Presidential hopefuls:

Current President and Democratic candidate, Barack Obama, has proven time and again he stands with NWPC on a woman's right to choose.  

Within the first ninety days in Office, President Barack Obama released a statement restating support for Roe v. Wade decision that allowed virtually unlimited abortions and has resulted in at least 50 million abortions since 1973.  He also implemented funding for pro-abortion groups that either promote or perform abortions in other nations. As a result a decision to overturn Mexico City Policy sends part of $457 million to pro-abortion organizations.  Additionally he nominated pro-abortion Kathleen Sebelius to become Secretary of Health and Human Services.  Kathleen Sebelius has been instrumental on health care reform and protecting a woman's right to choose.  Watch YouTube Clip.

Barack Obama has demonstrated that a woman’s right to choose is a freedom that every woman should be granted.  During his first year he appointed appeals court judge Sonia Sonotmayor as a Supreme Court nominee. Sotomayor agrees that the courts should make policy, such as the Roe v. Wade case. Sotomayor was later opposed by pro-life groups and supported by pro-abortion groups and those who know her say she will support abortion on the high court.  He also signed a bill that overturned the 13-year-long ban on funding abortions with tax dollars in the nation’s capital.

In 2010 he signed the pro-abortion health care bill into law that contains massive abortion funding, no conscience protections and rationing.  In the same year, Obama named pro-abortion activist Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court; she is strongly opposed by pro-life groups.

In 2011 he refused Speaker John Boehner’s request to cut taxpayer funding to the Planned Parenthood abortion business.  Most recently, Barack Obama forced insurance companies to pay for abortion drugs under Obamacare.

While Barack Obama supports pro-choice, his Presidential opponents support pro-life. Rick Santorum, a 2012 Republican Presidential candidate, caused quite a stir on Piers Morgan Tonight when he inferred that rape victims should accept their babies as gifts from God.  During the interview, the most socially conservative hopeful remained steadfast in his opposition to abortion, even in cases where rape is involved.

Morgan pressed Santorum on the issue and asked how the right-wing candidate would feel if his daughter came to him begging for an abortion after being raped. Santorum said, “I think the right approach is to accept this horribly created — in the sense of rape — but nevertheless a gift in a very broken way, the gift of human life, and accept what God has given to you.” He added that rape victims ought to “make the best of a bad situation.”

I don’t know about you but this is not what I want in the White House.