NATIONAL PRO-LIFE NEWS
Presidential Candidate Kerry Again Backs Pro-Abortion Judges
June 21, 2003
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — Once again, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) has affirmed he supports only pro-abortion judges for various court positions.
In April, Kerry told a campaign audience that if elected president he would nominate to the high court only supporters of abortion and the Roe v. Wade decision. On Friday, Kerry said he is prepared to block any of President Bush’s pro-life nominees for judicial positions.
"I am prepared to filibuster, if necessary, any Supreme Court
nominee who would turn back the clock on a woman’s right to
choose or the constitutional right to privacy,” Kerry said in remarks via satellite at a meeting of Democratic party officials in St. Paul, Minn.
"The test is basic — any person who thinks it’s his or her job to push an extreme political agenda rather than to interpret the law should not be a Supreme Court justice.”
Kerry’s statement drew praise from leading abortion advocates.
"We applaud Senator Kerry and every senator and presidential candidate who pledges to do whatever it takes to protect our fundamental right to privacy and a woman’s right to choose,” said Kate Michelman, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, in a
statement.
Another candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination was quick to respond that he too favor pro-abortion judicial nominees.
"I don’t believe in litmus tests, but I believe very strongly that the right to choose and the right to privacy are fundamental constitutional rights and I can’t imagine supporting a Supreme
Court nominee who doesn’t share my view of the Constitution,”
said pro-abortion Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) in a statement. "I
would use every effective means to stop a nominee I oppose.”
Jamal Simmons, spokesman for Sen. Bob Graham of Florida, the other Democratic senator running for president, said he would not make a pledge like Kerry’s.
"Senator Graham will decide on a case-by-case basis how he will
proceed on any individual nomination,” Simmons said.
Douglas Johnson of the National Right to Life Committee said the
position taken by Kerry and Edwards is not surprising considering their votes for abortion, including their opposition to banning
partial-birth abortions.
"Five justices on the current Supreme Court said that Roe v. Wade
guarantees the right of abortionists to perform even partial-birth abortions, and that is the Roe v. Wade that Kerry and Edwards would filibuster to defend,” Johnson said.
In May, Kerry found himself embarrassed by a statement saying his first speech as a member of the Senate was to advocate abortion.
He made the statement at several events in order to curry favor
with pro-abortion political groups. After the error was made known, Kerry admitted the blunder and indicated he would stop making the claim.
All nine of the Democratic presidential candidates back abortion.
