Abortion Advocates Applaud John Kerry-John Edwards Ticket

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Jul 8, 2004   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Abortion Advocates Applaud John Kerry-John Edwards Ticket

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
July 8, 2004

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — While pro-life advocates are concerned that John Kerry’s selection of North Carolina senator John Edwards as his running mate makes the Democratic presidential ticket entirely in favor of abortion, groups that back abortion are celebrating.

Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion business, praised Kerry’s selection of the multimillionaire trial lawyer.

"In stark contrast to the current administration, a Kerry-Edwards administration will stand up for the fundamental rights of women both in the United States and around the world and will ensure that women’s health is a centerpiece of its agenda," PPAF president Gloria Feldt said.

Leaders at NARAL agree and say the selection of Edwards and the election of the Democratic ticket will stop the momentum of pro-life groups that are "chipping away at a woman’s right to choose, which results in more unintended pregnancies and more abortions."

"Since 1999, Sen. Edwards has cast 20 votes on the right to choose and family planning issues; of that number — all were pro-choice votes," NARAL said in a statement.

In fact, during his tenure in the Senate, Edwards has compiled a consistent track record in support of all abortions and funded with taxpayer dollars.

In March 2003, Edwards voted for an amendment that expressed the Senate’s support for the Roe v. Wade decision that allowed unlimited abortions and said the landmark ruling should not be overturned.

He also voted for the pro-Roe measure in 1999 and, that same year, also voted against the ban on partial-birth abortions.

Edwards has voted for taxpayer-funded abortions and, most recently, voted against the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, a bill that would protect pregnant women by prosecuting criminals who attack them and kill their babies before birth.

Edwards has also come under fire from pro-life advocates for voting numerous times against President Bush’s pro-life judicial nominees. He supported efforts by abortion advocates in the Senate to filibuster several nominees for key appeals court positions.

Elizabeth Cavendish, interim president of NARAL, points out what is becoming clear to activists on both sides of the abortion debate: "The contrast between Kerry-Edwards and Bush- Cheney could not be clearer."