White House Begins Effort to Bridge the Divide on Abortion

[question everything]

MAY 7, 2009

White House Begins Effort to Bridge the Divide on Abortion

By LAURA MECKLER
WSJ

WASHINGTON -- The White House has begun bringing together a diverse group of abortion-rights supporters and opponents to help craft policies both sides can embrace: preventing unwanted pregnancies and reducing demand for abortion. President Barack Obama appears to be trying to make good on his pledge to defuse tensions around polarizing issues. The effort could also be in his political interests. While he may not win over abortion opponents on the issue, if he is seen as having a genuine interest in finding common ground, that could persuade some to judge him on other policies where they may agree with him, such as economics.

Interviews with several participants suggest there is some common ground, but plenty of disagreements remain. It will be challenging for the White House to settle on policies that reach across the spectrum. Participants said that abortion opponents tended to focus on efforts to help pregnant women keep their babies, while the abortion-rights camp focused on preventing unwanted pregnancy. Some in the antiabortion community, for instance, suggested more support for pregnancy "crisis centers," which discourage women from having abortions. But abortion-rights supporters say these centers give out inaccurate information. Abortion-rights supporters want more support for contraception, which some abortion opponents are unenthusiastic about.

(snip)

The meetings -- anywhere from a dozen to two dozen people at a time -- began about a month ago and are expected to continue for another six to eight weeks. The White House hopes to have a proposal formed by late summer, Ms. Barnes said. At the end of the process, the White House doesn't plan to seek any official endorsement for its proposals from any of the participants, Ms. Barnes said. Staff will review the comments and materials provided and develop recommendations for the president.

Mr. Obama has made it clear that he supports legal abortion, and he has taken several steps already that are consistent with that view. He lifted rules that prevent U.S. funding for international family-planning organizations that promote or offer abortion. And he also is allowing much greater federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research, which many abortion opponents decry. But in each case, the president emphasized that he hoped to find ways to bridge the divide over the issue.

(snip)

Participants say that suggestions included: improving education about use of contraception; better access to emergency contraception (which can be used after sex); improving education about sex, relationships and the "sacredness of sex"; stamping out employment discrimination against pregnant women; improving family-leave policies; and encouraging adoption.

(snip)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124165510131594083.html (subscription)

[Clio the Leo]

1. oh, dont be tryin' to take away their ONLY battle cry Obama!!!

Was making fools out of them last fall not enough? Was leaving them alone to suffer in the wilderness not enough?

And NOW you want to destroy their anti-abortion banner!!!

Have you no decency sir!

Oh ....... why yes you do, sorry, I forgot. :)

[SpartanDem]

2. This says it best

David Gushee, an abortion opponent and professor of Christian ethics at Mercer University in Atlanta who has participated in the talks, said the act of convening people is valuable. "When people get into a room working on a common problem it's harder to demonize them when they leave the room."

I truly get the sense that Obama feels that he can bring people together no matter the issue, whether it's reducing the number nuclear arms or bringing the pro choice and anti- abortion crowds closer.

[newinnm]

3. The can be no bridge...

The RTL'ers will infect any mindful process.


-nnnm

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

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

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

5. This sounds like a "bridge to nowhere"

good luck with the fundies

[WinkyDink]

6. How can there be a "bridge" to those opposed on moral grounds? Are they supposed to eschew their

moral objections?

I am 100% pro-choice, but were I not, were I to think of abortion as murder, how on earth would anyone expect me to compromise on this?

THE ONLY ANSWER is what now exists: The secular government makes laws for the entire nation, without imposing actions (e.g., forced abortions) on its citizenry.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

7. Birth Control?

[question everything]

9. Some object to even means of birth control

and then many object to the pills. Remember all the pharmacists who refuse to fill prescription?

[RoadRage]

8. I AM ALL FOR THISB

I will always be Pro-choice.. But any effort to reduce the number of abortions while keeping it legal is a great step as far as I'm concerned. Even the most pro-choice people I know would like to see less abortions needed. Kudos to Obama for trying to find middle ground on an issue where there seems to be little.

[usregimechange]

10. Good.