Sarah Palin Tells Charlie Gibson She is Pro-Life on Abortion, Stem Cell Research
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
September 14, 2008
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — During her interview with ABC News anchor Charlie Gibson, vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin reaffirmed her pro-life positions on abortion and stem cell research. She said she supports reversing Roe v. Wade and opposes abortion in the very rare cases of rape or incest.
Gibson asked Palin if Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision allowing virtually unlimited abortions throughout pregnancy, "should be reversed."
"I think it should and I think that states should be able to decide that issue," the Alaska governor said. "I am pro-life. I do respect other people’s opinion on this, also, and I think that a culture of life is best for America."
Palin said she wants to work to reduce abortions by providing pregnant women and teenagers with tangible help and support.
"What I want to do, when elected vice president, with John McCain, hopefully, is be able to reach out and work with those who are on the other side of this issue, because I know that we can all agree on the need for and the desire for fewer abortions in America and greater support for adoption, for other alternatives that women can and should be empowered to embrace, to allow that culture of life," she explained.
Palin confirmed she opposes abortion in the rare instances where a woman is raped, which constitute less than one percent of all abortions nationwide.
"My personal opinion is that abortion only be allowed if the life of the mother is endangered," she said. "I do understand others who are very passionate about this issue who have a differing opinion."
Palin also confirmed she differs with Senator McCain on embryonic stem cell research funding.
"You know, when you’re running for office, your life is an open book and you do owe it to Americans to talk about your personal opinion, which may end up being different than what the policy in an administration would be," she said.
Yet, at the same time, she joins McCain in taking a different view than pro-abortion presidential candidate Barack Obama about the purposeful creation and destruction of human life.
"My personal opinion is we should not create human life, create an embryo and then destroy it for research, if there are other options out there," she said.
Palin also sided with McCain on supporting ethical alternatives that have proven more effective in treating patients than embryonic stem cells, which have yet to help a single patient.
"And thankfully, again, not only are there other options, but we’re getting closer and closer to finding a tremendous amount of other options, like, as I mentioned, the adult stem cell research," she said.
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