Obama says abortion rights law not a top priority

[snowdays]

I, for one, think it should be a priority.



edit to add link.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/marketsNewsUS/idUKN2946642020090430?pageNumber=1

Obama says abortion rights law not a top priority
Thu Apr 30, 2009 3:46am BST



By David Alexander

WASHINGTON, April 29 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Wednesday he favored abortion rights for women but that passing a law guaranteeing those rights was not his top priority, trying to avoid inflaming divisions over the issue.

"I believe that women should have the right to choose," Obama told a news conference marking his first 100 days in office. "But I think that the most important thing we can do to tamp down some of the anger surrounding this issue is to focus on those areas that we can agree on."

..........

"I would like to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies that result in women feeling compelled to get an abortion, or at least considering getting an abortion, particularly if we can reduce the number of teen pregnancies," Obama said.

As a candidate, Obama supported the Freedom of Choice Act, which would eliminate federal, state and local restrictions on abortion.

.......................

Asked about the Freedom of Choice Act at Wednesday's news conference, Obama said it "is not the highest legislative priority."..........

[Thrill]

1. Its not. Congress doesn't even have it scheduled for debate

Pelosi obviously doesn't think it needs to be done now. And its not like everything has to be done in his first yr. How many fights do people want this guy to have?

Lets get Healthcare, Education, and Energy done.

[snowdays]

6. Pelosi avoids issues

that are contraveral just like the WH does.

[Thrill]

10. Not true. If the WH avoided them. They wouldn't be doing healthcare

asking for about a 4 trillion dollar budget, closing Gitmo, releasing torture memos, overturning the abortion gag, etc....

[snowdays]

12. But DADT is

put on the back burner.

[Occam Bandage]

21. We really have no idea about that,

since repealing DADT requires all sorts of power-shuffling and dealmaking within Defense, and we're not privy to that. Any attempt to simply ram it through would result in failure just like Clinton's.

[Cha]

31. That's just not true..

Don't make statements you can't backup.

And, did you mean to spell "controversial"?

[rpannier]

2. If there was a serious chance it would be outlawed then I would be concerned

But there's not a chance it will happen at the federal level and not everything can be a priority

[Egnever]

3. And yet he is moving on many fronts to ensure it is protected.

It doesnt even come close to ranking as a high priority as it stands now it is legal and is being agressively protected by this administration across the globe.

http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2009/04/23/a-profound-disagreement-clinton-breaks-political-sound-barrier

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[snowdays]

5. I am well aware of his accomplishments and

also what he has done for women's issues. Planned parenthood had a great write up about his agenda. I am proud of our president but sincerely think this has to go forward while he has political capital.


And I do not appreciate your bullying comment directed at me. Grow up and engage in a productive discussion.

[AngryOldDem]

13. Pushing FOCA is not the best thing to do right now.

It's already taken on almost mythical proportions on the far, fringe right as it is. We don't need that distraction. Better to take Obama's approach -- and look at Souter's resignation as a bonus.

And, welcome to DU. I guess.

[snowdays]

17. Now IS the time while

he has the political capital to get it passed. We can not talk with the RW fringe about this issue. In the meantime states constantly erode womens freedom. And it is about a woman's individual freedom. It seems President Obama is conflating this issue.


and thanks for the welcome to DU.


.......I think abortion is a moral issue and an ethical issue. I think that those who are pro-choice make a mistake when they — if they suggest — and I don’t want create straw men here, but I think there are some who suggest that this is simply an issue about women’s freedom and that there’s no other considerations.......

[quiller4]

46. Agree wholeheartedly. n/t

[firedupdem]

16. +20 n/t

[Quantess]

7. I agree, it isn't a priority for most Americans.

Maybe if the economy was better, maybe if there was no war, maybe if health care in general wasn't so messed up, and maybe if he didn't have to pick a replacement for the Supreme Court...then I would probably agree with you.

[JeffR]

8. I agree it should be a priority, a big priority.

And that's why instead of griping about this here, maybe a better idea is to write the White House about this. Give it some thought.

[droidamus2]

9. President Obama has it right

He is right that there are many things that can be 'agreed upon' that need to be accomplished. Though I absolutely agree that women's right to choose must be protected these 'values' subjects are highly divisive and the media would very likely focus in on something like this making it very difficult for this administration to get its message out on any other subject. I think that working around the edges such as limiting the need for making a choice rather than forcing a big fight will actually make it easier when the subject finally comes up.

[sampsonblk]

15. Yup

What you said.

[Justice]

11. he didn't say abortion rights were not a priority, he said the FOC Act was not a top

legislative priority.

[vaberella]

14. There's a balancing act people. BoA still on the verge of collapse or abortion rights?

Progressives want one thing right away, well he has 4 years. Give him the four, he's been in office for about 3-4 months and needs to get things in order---like the economy.

[DevonRex]

18. Welcome to DU.

[snowdays]

23. thank you very much.

[LynneSin]

19. I think Sen. Casey once summed up abortion laws the best way possible

Perhaps we're done with this topic and there is enough laws out there. That's pretty good coming from a pro-life senator.

BTW, Casey voted against some of the activist judges the last congressional cycle. I have a feeling we'll have Casey on our side when it comes to the votes.

[Occam Bandage]

20. It isn't. At all.

It is a good issue, and one we should approach in the first term, but not one that needs to be done in the first month or two. There are many, many issues, and not everyone can be the first to get their pony.

[DevonRex]

22. Obama doesn't control the legislative calendar. When it gets to him he'll sign it.

[Hekate]

27. Yes he will

:thumbsup:

[SoxFan]

24. Worst economic crisis in 70 years

Banking and auto industries a wreck
A resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan
Cleaning up Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld mess in Iraq
A nuclear North Korea

I think that the pelvic issues will have to wait.

[snowdays]

25. Women have waited long enough for their freedoms, and

now state by state Roe v...is being demolished. The president has a change to right these wrongs. I will take him to task on this issue as will others.

[ncteechur]

28. I don't believe that RvW has been overturned. Are there restrictions that need to be dealt with?

Sure. Are they a top priority--right up there with two wars and a flailing economy? Nope.

[Number23]

29. Do you have any links to back that up?

state by state Roe v...is being demolished.

[snowdays]

34. You can goggle and will find that information easlily.

[Number23]

41. You made the claim that Roe v. Wade is being "demolished"

You should provide any data you have that can support that statement.

[ProSense]

30. "I will take him to task on this issue as will others." So will the

ACLU. Appears they've been following the issue closely.

[sampsonblk]

42. You think women are waiting in line for the freedom to have abortions?

Where? Where is this line?

I agree with Obama.

[Two Americas]

33. "pelvic issues?"

Good grief, what is happening to this place?

[snowdays]

35. beyond the pale coming from a Democrat.

[Two Americas]

37. they are everywhere

It is hard to find a thread without an outrageous comment or two, or a few right wing talking points aggressively promoted and defended. Object to that and you are accused of being "easily offended" or "finding fault everywhere" or "being negative" or "addicted to poutrage" or a Kucinich or Edwards supporter who cannot get over it, or a PUMA, and on and on and on and on and on.


...

[Lars39]

38. How many "pelvic issues" are you able to support in the worst economic crisis

in 70 years? Another mouth to feed, house and clothe, with medical bills to boot is the breaking point for many women/families.

[Djinn]

43. pelvic issues?

being able to control one's fertility is one of the BEST ways to assist women's economic and physical health, I'm not sure describing it as pelvic issues demonstrates you understand just why this topic is important

[Starry Messenger]

44. (facepalm)

I think I will start calling children "pelvic fruit" in your honor.

[Hekate]

45. Pelvic issues? What an incredible choice of words, staggering in its ignorance.

I am truly awestruck. :wow:

[Hekate]

26. OMOGOMGOMGOMGOMG Obama hates women OMGOMGOMGOMG

:sarcasm:
There. Just to get that out of the way. :eyes:

Hekate

[RoadRage]

32. It doesn't need to be - he's going to pick a pro-choice person.. no need for Faux-rage..

Seriously.. the dude hasn't screwed us yet. But he plays politics.. and running out in the first press conference 2 minutes after getting off the phone with the retiering justice to say "I am absolutely going to only pick someone who is pro-choice.. their other qualifications be damned" wouldn't at all be in line with his way of doing business.

It will be in there.. believe me.

[ShadowLiberal]

36. Unfortunately abortion laws don't matter much because of the supreme court,

Presidents can pass any laws on abortions they want, but if the supreme court is made up of judges who disagree with their law then it doesn't matter, they'll overturn it. The only way they'll be powerless to overturn it is through a constitutional amendment, and the chances of an amendment about abortion being ratified by enough states is slim to none regardless of it's pro abortion or anti abortion.

[dsc]

39. that isn't true

It is true as to restrictions upon abortions, especially those in very early pregnancy but the court is silent as to expansion of abortion rights. Congress could, though they wouldn't, pass a bill legalizing abortion upto the second before birth.

[jillan]

40. There are so many other pressing issues right now and having Roe V Wade overturned isn't one of them

You can be certain that whoever he chooses to be the new SCOTUS will be supportive of Roe V Wade.