NARAL Forum Sees Dean and Dems’ Daughters Promote Abortion
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
September 19, 2003
Manchester, NH (LifeNews.com) — NARAL held a presidential forum for abortion supporters in New Hampshire Wednesday night. Although ex-Vermont Gov. Howard Dean was the only candidate to attend, three other pro-abortion Democratic presidential candidates sent their daughters, who vociferously defended their fathers’ records in favor of abortion.
During the event, Dean, who is considered by many to be the most pro-abortion presidential candidate because of a stint he worked at Planned Parenthood, said pro-life advocates shouldn’t be allowed to have control of the phrase "pro-life."
"I actually propose that we all call ourselves pro-life," he said. "We care about life. We believe it’s none of government’s business… I’d hate to have Tom DeLay, who exterminates cockroaches when he’s not in Congress, decide what my medical needs are."
DeLay, who is a leading pro-life Congressman and the third-ranking Republican in the House of Representatives, owns a pest control business in Houston.
However, Dean was not to be outdone in flashing his pro-abortion credentials.
Daughters of Senators Bob Graham (D-FL), Joe Lieberman (D-CT) and John Kerry (D-MA) also attended, the Associated Press reports. They said their fathers would do everything in their power, if elected president, to keep abortion legal.
Cissy Graham McCullough profiled Senator Graham’s record in favor of abortion and drew loud applause in the process. She said Graham, who is lagging behind in the polls, has a wife and four daughters who back abortion.
"When you elect a president, you elect a family," she said. "When you elect Bob Graham, you will have five women by his side protecting your right to chose."
Vanessa Kerry, a medical student, said her father would protect legal abortion and "ensure they actually have the ability to make a choice" by expanding abortion coverage in tax-funded health care insurance.
Lieberman’s daughter, Rebecca, says abortion is close to becoming illegal and younger women don’t appreciate that fact.
"For too long, those on the other side of the issue have claimed a monopoly on values," she said. "But privacy is an American value. Self-determination is an American value. And finally, choice is an American value."
Pro-abortion Rep. Dick Gephardt (D-MO) and Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) were represented by local supporters.
