Pro-Life Democrats Group Unhappy Democratic Abortion Platform Not Inclusive

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Aug 14, 2008   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Pro-Life Democrats Group Unhappy Democratic Abortion Platform Not Inclusive

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
August 14
, 2008

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — The national group for pro-life Democrats has officially weighed in on the proposed Democratic Party platform on abortion. While Democrats for Life of America appreciates new sections promoting childbirth and helping pregnant women, the group says the unequivocal pro-abortion position is out of touch.

Last week, party officials proposed an abortion plank that mirrors the pro-abortion positions of presidential candidate Barack Obama.

"The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman’s right to choose a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay, and we oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right," the proposal says on page 50.

The party also added language from a Democrats for Life proposal that pro-abortion party leaders hope will moderate its image with the majority of Americans who oppose legal abortions.

Kristen Day, the director of the pro-life group, tells LifeNews.com she appreciates that section.

But she says advocating unlimited abortions financed by taxpayers won’t go over well with Americans.

"We do not believe that the first paragraph of the [abortion] section that ‘strongly and unequivocally’ supports Roe v. Wade and federal funding of abortion accurately represents the common ground position that Americans are seeking," she said.

"Democrats for Life of America will strongly and unequivocally champion the sanctity of life from conception to natural death and will continue to oppose any and all legislation that infringes on that right," she concluded.

Day is also unhappy that party leaders added a general conscience clause to the platform covering all political issues and removed the specific one that offers inclusion for pro-life Democrats.

Democrats for Life had proposed language saying, "We respect the conscience of each American and recognize that members of our Party have deeply held and sometimes differing positions on issues of personal conscience, like abortion. We recognize the diversity of views as a source of strength and we welcome into our
ranks all Americans who may hold differing positions on these and other issues."

But pro-abortion Democratic officials balked.

"Democrats for Life of America appreciates the Platform Committee adding this statement of general inclusiveness, but we will continue to work with the Democratic Party to explicitly recognize and welcome pro-life Democrats in the big tent of the Democratic Party," Day said.

Day’s group will be conducting numerous events in association with the Democratic convention in Denver at the end of the month.

Related web sites:
Democrats For Life of America – https://www.democratsforlife.org

 

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