Obama's abortion answer spurs questions

late term abortions aren't ever plausible in any medical case. By the time someone is ready to deliver, you have to deliver.. the baby will be delivered dead or alive.. no exceptions. This is a bogus cruel procedure.

GOOD FOR OBAMA

I'm a liberal and I support Barack Obama's point of view. Any late-term abortion should be subjected to a rigorous review. You're talking about a fully conscious infant at that point, a baby who is capable of experiencing suffering. For Kate Michelman to speak so dismissively of these concerns, while she's advocating for the emotional and physical needs of the mother, is the absolute pinnacle of hypocrisy and selfishness.

Barack Obama is correct in pointing out that the mother is not the only person in the picture who can suffer.

The question I would like to pose to Senator Obama is the title of that old Who song_ "Who Are You"

Leave the rights of a woman, alone!! Can't the Republicans, or anybody else, who wants to be a social or religious dictator, discuss the issues that are breaking America's back!! Take your pick; The disaster in Baghdad, the mortgage crisis, the healthcare crisis, the Oil crisis, the Veterans Affairs crisis, the political problems caused at the Department of Justice, the failure of the FDA in the tainted tomatoes, because of slashed budgets and personnel. FEMA, still hasn't completed its mission in New Orleans!! Where is Brownie when FEMA needs him. they have some new uniforms to model before the nation and before they do their duties to our great nation.
The Republicans should leave the woman's issue, alone, or anyone else, who, for social or religious dictates, is trying to infringe on their rights. America is crumbling and they want to make a theocracy, out of the delicate state of our own democracy, thanks to President Bush and the Republicans!!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.

"This, of course, would come as a shock to his liberal supporters and many of those voters who backed Sen. Hillary Clinton in the primaries, voters Obama is now trying to win over."

Yes, it would. But it would also be more in line with what mainstream, non-ideological Americans thinkg on the issue.

If Senator Obama DOES show a more balanced, and logical view of restricting late term abortion, he will not only be our next president, but perhaps a great one.

Very few people like abortion, yet most want to keep it safe and legal; with some restraint. Late term abortion (or partial birth abortion, if you will) is not acceptable unless the most extreme medical emergency requires it. It should not be performed as birth control.

The wisdom of Senator Obama, and his humanity, should dictate his position (even if it costs him votes among the most radical elements of the Democrats).

Obama's use of the non-medical term, "partial-birth", in describing an abortion procedure can only be ascribed to his appealing to the no-choice voters. It is unfortunate that he used this code word that is used only by those who wish to reverse the Roe decision; Obama is highly skilled with words and surely knows what message is sent by this.

Just another flip flop from the "Unflappable" Barack Obama.

Somewhat disappointing. But part of needing to appeal to the maximum number of voters in November, I guess.

The only thing I can be sure of is that McCain will be worse. Obama's still my man.

I don't see what the big deal is. Most pro-choicers believe that once a fetus is viable, it must be given the chance to live. Senator Obama is just saying what the majority of us feel anyway.

He's still got my vote.

There's not a reputable doctor anywhere who would perform a late term abortion for birth control. They're only performed when there's something so wrong that it's the only thing that can be done. I see no reason to change any laws and am fairly livid with the Senator for using that awful terminology.

Obama's entitled to his own opinion. It's what he does with that opinion that matters.

Once again, another fence-sitting act from Obama. I'm sure between now and November, he'll "refine" (read flip flopping) his views about a dozen times more. I know where McCain stands on important issues, but Obama is an enigma, a chameleon who changes his positions on a daily basis. I guess this is what he really means by "change", except that we can't believe in it..

The most baffling question is how so many liberals can support killing a baby as it emerges from the birth control but will stand outside in the rain and snow to protest the execution of a mass child rapist/murderer. Fortunately, it seems like Obama knows the difference.

You guys hear that Obama will try to appeal to those bitter people who cling to religion and guns at a NASCAR race? That must make him personae non grata to the fire-breating variety of liberal that posts here at the Swamp and insists that the very act of going to a stock car race makes someone racist.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/07/nascar-obama.html

News flash to all women that support 'late term' abortion. This has absolutely, positively, nothing to do with 'women's rights'. This is an issue of the respect and sanctity of life. Women are NOT God and do not have the 'right' to be so indecisive that they wait until the 6th or later month to 'decide' to get an abortion. This procedure is inhuman. If inhumanity is your 'right'; good luck with all that, you will lose.

Can this guy run to the middle any faster? During the primary, he was glad to be screaming liberal Barry. Now, he wants us all to forget about that believe he's a centrist. He's nothing but a political chameleon, changing to fit whatever environment he's in today.

Well FITZ, if it is a woman's right to do with her body as she pleases, then I guess you will be down at 26th and California calling for the release of the drug addicted hookers?

The danger of not taking the woman's mental distress into consideration, is the woman may suicide and both the fetus and woman will die.
can we just stop this utter BULLSH*T that a woman in her third trimester chooses to abort for some capricious reason. Fetuses who's brain are developing outside the skull who won't survive is one reason for late term abortions, not 'feelin' blue."

First it was gun control. Now it's the abortion ting. Sounds like the waffling has begun.

Abortion is murder, sugar coat it how ever you want, but a viable life is being destroyed for the convenience of someone who got themselves into the position of being pregnant.

That being said, if carrying the kid will kill the mother, or it's the seed of incest or rape, then I hold my nose and allow the abortion.

Other than that, deal with what you brought on yourself, without killing the child.

"Safe to say that abortion-rights supporters are not going to be satisfied with vagueness from Obama on this issue."

Should abortion rights supporters be satisfied with the very real threat posed by a conservative majority Supreme Court to Roe vs. Wade if McCain is elected? I can't imagine anyone who supports a woman's right to safe and legal abortions would feel threatened by Senator Obama's stance on this issue, especially when late-term abortions even in the case of a mother's health are opposed by a significant amount of people and lawmakers. This distinction in the case of mental distress affects few of the cases where partial birth abortions are performed. It is unfortunate that abortion activists must perceive this as a slight against Roe vs. Wade, whose strength and support comes from those who believe in a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy when the fetus is too undeveloped to be a viable being.

Obama is flip flopping again to get anti-abortion votes. The present law says, . . ."a doctor could decide to perform an abortion based on "all factors--physical, emotional, psychological, familial, and the woman's age--relevant to the well-being of the patient." Obama co-sponsored a bill that no state could ban an abortion unless there were exceptions where it would be allowed where the woman's health and life were jeopardized or there was extreme mental distress or severe emotional suffering and harm if not allowed an abortion. That's not clear enough for him apparently. Now Obama is inventing a new spin on the present legislation and proposed legislation that he is backing away from by saying that a woman must be certifiably mentally ill with a label on her diagnosing a mental disease. She must find a mental health professional to swear that she is mentally impaired and in need of psychiatric treatment. Would that entail confinement in a psychiatric unit with a huge medical bill and a scarlet letter for the rest of her life and government intervention? Obama should be honest and just say that he really does not believe in the legislation he co-sponsored which was done for political purposes and that he does not believe in abortions except in the most extreme cases and a very narrow definition of exceptions. My personal view on this that an abortion is an abortion no matter at what stage of life. Late term abortions and the controversy surrounding them is because the doctors and hospitals do not want a living but aborted baby to live because of the high risk of disabilities and concern over who is going to pay the bill. That is why partial-birth abortions came into existence to make sure that child never sees the light of day. With so many people willing to adopt, abortions should almost never take place.

Late term abortions are usually done for medical reasons. To guess WHY a doctor or patient would need the procedure and rule on it YEARS before it could happen is WRONG.

I am EXTREMELY liberal Barack supporter who feels the same way about this that he does. I have ALWAYS had a problem with partial-birth/late-term abortions. The decision to have an abortion, in most cases, should be decided before the end of the first trimester. There are extreme cases where an abortion is necessary near the end of the term, but not many. He is actually giving his thoughful opinion about this matter. Plus, you CAN NOT agree with every single issue a politician supports. Rock on Barack!

I wonder if the people who think it is imperative that a woman's right to have an abortion past the point of viability for any reason whatsoever, including the mental discomfort of the mother, actually believe what they say, haven't really thought the issue through due to ideological blinders or are really just cruel and inhuman. I tend to shy away from simply demonizing people, so I'm guessing it's probably one of the first two. Roe has stood for many decades against furious assault. It is hard to believe that the case for legal abortion would be hurt by making some humane adjustments to take into account the life of a viable baby. As a matter of fact, if we were able to take the issue of killing viable babies off the table, it would probably make the remaining abortion laws far less prone to assault. The radicalism of saying an unhappy mother must be able to dispose of her viable, concious child fuels a lot of threats to Roe v Wade. Smart move on Obama's part.

This is not as clear as folks may think. My wife received what would be considered by abortion foes as a late term abortion at 17 weeks. The fetus was diagnosed with a condition (anencephally - basically the lack of development of the skull and brain) where it may have been carried to term, but would not have been viable for more than a few minutes outside the womb.

Ashcroft and many in the Bush Justice department have sought to outlaw this.

Could my wife have survived carrying this fetus to term? Yes. Could the fetus have survived to term? Maybe. Would have been the equivalent of torture to force her to carry it to term? Absolutely? So we terminated the pregnancy.

We now have a beautiful 3 year old boy.

What abortion opponents fail to recognize (including the first commenter in this thread) is that many abortions fall into a gray area including my wife's. That's why this should be left to a doctor and a patient with all advocates relegated to the sidelines.

One last note. We got lucky and caught it at 17 weeks. If we caught it at 25 or 30, we would have had the same issue and would have wanted to make the same choice.

Flippity Floppity. Everything is subject to change in Obamas world. He won't be tied down to any answer. Go McCain.

"partial birth abortions" are used for women who would deliver mentally handicapped/unable to function infants.
most of the time, these infants would not survive outside of the womb and if they did they would be vegtables.
please do some research, im pretty sure nobody would make that choice unless it was for the good of the infant.

When will people realize that Rev. Wright was absolutely correct when he said that Obama was doing and saying what he had to do as a typical politician. Once you get past the great speeches and rhetoric, you must look at what experience he has to back up that oratory. In the case of Obama, his track record is thin and inconsistent, and certainly more in keeping with a mid-level politician than a Presidental leader.

Facts are stubborn things

1) Life begins at conception

and

2) If it's growing it's alive

Ergo abortion (no matter when) is .....

Obama isn't flip flopping here, he is outright lying. Check out his voting record on the Born Alive Infant Protection Act - he voted AGAINST medical intervention if a child is born during a botched abortion. He voted to ignore that life until the newborn dies. This bill passed in the US Senate unanimously, but Barack voted against it in Illinois. He has voted against parental notifications. He is co-sponsor to the Freedom of Choice Act, which will eliminate ALL state restrictions on abortion, and he has stated on the stump that it is one of the first bills he wants to sign into law. He is anything but mainstream and his recent comments are just another effort to bamboozle and hoodwink the public.

Obama will have to start advising the press when he will be clarifying his clarifications.

What does Obama mean? Of course I love abortion along with my far left liberal supporters. On the other hand Obama says I'm running for President so I'll trick the prolife people into believing I'm against the slaughter of innocent life. What does Obama actually stand for? Himself!

Obama impresses me more every day with his common sense. I support a "womans right to choose" 100%. That doesn't necessarily transmit into killing a full term fetus arbitrarily or on a whim. Why does everyone always have to line up on extreme positions?

This is a red-herring; late-term abortions aren't performed just because a mother is "mentally distressed" about having a child — if it were as simple as that, then what would have prevented an early-term abortion? Late-term abortions, while gruesome and distasteful to most Americans, remain a rare medical necessity.

The man has no moral center, period. He's flipped on abortion, the DC gun ban, how his own campaign is financed, and now the Iraq war. Lefties take note that now that he's sick of pandering to you he's pandering to us on the right. Remember how bitter you were when Clinton signed NAFTA?

No one in the world has the right to tell a women she cannot have a child. Even if the woman is mentally ill, she has a right to give birth. There are different levels of mental illness, some people can cope and others cannot not. But the government should not dictate who should do what, besides anyone can become mentally ill in the their lifetime. If Obama is a wise he will leave the aboration issue alone, freedom of choice is always best for God is the judge and juror in all things.

Rights of the Mother!

What about rights of the child?

Late Term / Partial Birth abortions are obscene, gruesome, murders of innocent bystanders.

If mental state is a factor...why not let "mothers" (the term mother doesn't seem appropriate here) just decide anytime, a day, week, month, or years later that the child is bad for her mental state. The child could then be legally terminated. Free the woman that drowned all of her kids,and the man that killed all of his

Do your Homework, clean your room, eat your vegetables would have a lot more influence on kids if they knew they might be aborted.

Let's all use some common sense...Late Term abortions have no place in our society. That Child could survive without the woman who is carrying it. Give it up for adoption to someone else. It takes no more effort to do that.

I am glad to see Obama can try to bring both sides to some sort of compromise.

Ah, the ongoing effort to parse and tease out of Obama's vagaries just what the latest shift in what passes for his firm policy stances may be. Get real, guys. This so-called change agent has few if any fixed principles worthy of the name, and will say anything and everything that his muddled thinking tells him will meet some immediate question or need. This is not characteristic of what has been sought in individuals as indications thay they are "presidential timber." In Obama's case , he's demonstrated that he's no more than a "presidential sliver."

odaat said it best. Somewhat disappointing, but necessary for November and McCain would be so much worse in so many ways, Obama's still my choice.

I guess it's not as simple as just mental distress v mental illness. Mental distress is a lot broader and can run the gamet of normal distress to distress a symptom of illness; some overlaping. Obama's a lawyer. I would have never guessed. It's true he should have been more clearer. In some sense these statements are not in conflict with Roe, but it certainly doesn't rule the possibility out. What would determine that is him telling us what he means by more rigorous, and by that I don't mean broad terminology to illustrate what doesn't count because "feeling blue" "doesn't feel right" is too ambiguous for -serious- mental illness. Additionally, serious mental illness kinda looks like pulling away from the very open -mental illness-. My only thing is that in cases of mental illness trying to pin down, define, what is serious enough, based on the nature of mental illness, may be exactly what the pro-choice people didn't want. The possibility that someones rights will get lost in the translation who might actually be entitled to their rights. It is possible that he is only referring to the distress one is caused by having a kid; the lower side of the distress spectrum we all experience like when we make a decision we don't like lie or get divorced (when it proves livable; not real detriment to our metal or physicalhealth ). If this is indeed his intention I am curious how that would be worded,and if it becomes worded if it becoming worded will alone be in conflict with the original broad intention. Looking at this I can only draw two conclusions. One he's really making something that no one thinks about, because it is such a nominal difference, look like a reason to make him look conservative. Like he's trying to make a distinction between the color red and red, not because there was a difference, but by him even trying to make a distinction he will be perceived as conservative. Orrrrrrr. Two On the spectrum of where he might stand he is actually more conservative then previously thought when it comes to issues like family values (abortion) or national security(facts on the ground will dictate). Like a blank slate, a person giving the public a form on to which to project all these unhappy Bush rhetoric long enough to keep him in the front before having to switch gears and really show us that the projection is not in likeness to the actual person. I don't dispute him being liberal, but maybe a liberal with conservative aurora. Maybe there was more to the Reagan flattery.......I don't know.

The Right of Choice is about all of our rights, not merely those who want to decide what is right for themselves and their families.

To weaken, deflate or obliterate these rights will effect us all, be it straight, gay, lesbian, Liberal or Conservative. Certain factions of this country are winning in a war to tear apart our Constitution and Bill of Rights and this is just one more tool in their disgraceful and dirty box.

I'm confused. I thought Barack Obama was in favor of abortion, no matter when (1st month or 9th month.)

So what's this all about??

Having had four children myself I can attest to the fact that a woman is either pregnant or not pregnant. There's no such thing a being a "little pregnant." That's just the way it is. So if a woman wants to end the pregnancy, it doesn't matter when -- an abortion is an abortion.

If Obama is in favor of a woman's right to get an abortion, why doesn't he just stick to his position and stop being so wishy-washy about it.

He says that the woman's right to control her own body is the key issue here. Why is he backing away from it now??.

What is his inconsistency with his prior view and what is he advocating other than Casey v. Planned Parenthood? There is quite a bit of murky writing here, taking Obama's comments out of any semblence of context. Therefore it is difficult to make any conclusions based on this snippet, regarding Obama's view on abortion law.

What shocks me, is not Obama's comments, but the fact that somehow Roe v. Wade is being discussed here. Roe v. Wade is not the controlling case on abortion. Both Mr. James and the U of C professor that was consulted need to update themselves on the law.

The key issue in Casey is viability, and for those that haven't read Casey and are confused by this snippet article, States CAN regulate abortion. If it is before viability, they just can't make an undue burden. If it is after viability, they can ban it as long as the woman's health is taken into consideration.

The snippet above does a good job on highlighting the issue, of what constitutes the woman's health limit on regulations?

If mere mental distress is the health limit...than what state would be able to regulate any abortion? Obama's suggestion, out of context appears consistent with Casey, which is the current law. I can't see anything objectionable if this is in fact the meaning of his comments - unless one believes States should be able to ban abortions under any circumstances (inconsistent with a state's responsibilities for the health of its citizens) or if one believes Casey should be overturned and abortion rights expanded.

Its not an issue of whether you agree with Obama's position here or not it is how he would flub the question. Democrats don't use the term 'partial birth abortion' they speak in terms of a 'woman's right to choose'. Sheesh, this is American Politics 101 course material and Obama hasn't mastered it?

They'd better take him off the campaign trail and give him some intensive tutoring.

There's an old saying "stand by your man" .With the libs it's stand by his scam. Obama is a meandering empty suit like conservatives have pointed out from the beginning.The libs are in love with Obama's personna and any position he takes will be fine by them at the end of the day. All the libs care about is free government stuff,issues are merely a tool to that end.I wonder how all the liberal posters here would feel if they had been aborted?

What a joke, Obama is once again trying to 'change' his stance to appeal to the crowd he gathered....the even bigger joke are the losers that support him not matter if he does a 180 day to day. These are not leaders, they are followers, and they are driven by popular whim and sentiment.

Honestly, the only 'change' I see, is the day to day change of Obama's view. Honeslty, he has to be the weakest political hack in ages. At least get a man up there that can stand fast and firm in what he believes. Obama has yet to even figure out what he believes.

My sister was in the 6th month of a pregnancy that she and my brother-in-law had tried to achieve for years, and the baby died in her womb. Apparently, this can happen. She didn't miscarry, and she looked obviously pregnant. The doctor urged an abortion because my sister became so despondent he was concerned she might take her own life. She alternated between obsessing about what she might have done wrong - maybe not taking the right vitamin at the right time, sleeping too much, or not enough - to fearing to leave her house because so many people who didn't know were asking when the baby was due, was it a boy or girl, etc. Two years later, my sister had a healthy child.

The doctor didn't diagnose my sister as mentally ill but he did see someone who was being mentally devastated by caring a dead baby. If I understand Obama and most of the anti-abortion posters on this site, they would have forced my sister to carry the dead baby for a full nine months. After all, what right does my sister have? She's no longer a person, once her womb is full. She's just a meat covered container.

I know I can't vote for either candidate now, so I'll just wait till the next election and hope we last long enough to get a better set of potential presidents then. As far as the anti-women who post on this site - all I can hope for is that the Hindus are right, and you get to come back as a woman and live my sister's nightmare. That which you do unto others, may it be done 1 million times unto you.

Don't like Obama's stand on an issue?

Wait ten minutes and he'll give you another.

Posted by: Terry | July 6, 2008 3:00 PM

Terry,

Life does not begin at conception. The sperm and the egg are alive. If theses cells were dead the people could not conceive the cell that later divides into more cells and makes a fetus..

Now if you wanna talk about when the baby's soul comes in---

God has not granted me his human manual---although I have heard about Him breathing it into beings--- something about first breath--

Its not an issue of whether you agree with Obama's position here or not it is how he would flub the question. Democrats don't use the term 'partial birth abortion' they speak in terms of a 'woman's right to choose'. Sheesh, this is American Politics 101 course material and Obama hasn't mastered it?

They'd better take him off the campaign trail and give him some intensive tutoring.

Good god above, it doesn't really matter whether you agree that this procedure is good or not. It doesn't matter whether you agree Obama is a god for saying partial, late-term abortion is not acceptable.

what DOES matter is that, previously, Obama was for a woman's right to choose. Period. no exceptions.

And now ... well, he doesn't.

And that's because he's a pandering politcian.

Does Senator Barack Obama mean to say anything he says? Does he mean anything he says? Does he even know?

And for the confused Ms. Michelson: A "partial birth abortion" is when the fetus--or child--is delivered live until only the head remains in the birth canal at which time the abortionist pierces the base of the fetus'--or child's--skull and then sucks out its contents until it collapses. Sometimes the entire fetus--or child--is delivered live and then is abandoned to die on its own.

I saw enough back in the 1960s to know that a woman, married or single, older or younger, will do almost anything to induce a miscarriage, for whatever reason, causing me to believe that anyone advocating the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the return to that time must be crazy.

I am a male, somewhat nominally a Christian, who firmly believes that a woman, married or single, old or young, should be the one to decide, without any religion using our government to try to force a woman into doing something she doesn't want to do.

If "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" no longer applies to women in our democracy, then it no longer applies to anyone else either, because some right-wing tyrant has usurped our's and her's Constitutional protections, ripping to shreds the thin (and getting thinner) veil separating church and state.

I, too, am concerned about the rightward tilt of Barack Obama. I read the other day that the DLC's Blue Dog Democrat faction finally endorsed Obama's presidential bid. Quid pro quo? What do these DLC Blue Dogs expect in return, since these "stealth Republicans" have consistently sided with the Republicans in Congress, blocking numerous attempts by liberal, progressive Democrats to hold the criminal Bush administration accountable. Is a DLC Blue Dogger being considered by Obama's campaign to be his running mate. God forbid!!!

Because we all know what this would mean for the women in our society...a return to the barbarous pre-Roe v. Wade days when many young women died due to botched abortion attempts. I'm certain that Jesus Christ himself, if he were among us today, would have more respect for women, and their inherent American right to freedom of choice, than any of his "followers" today who claim that they are Christian, though they look suspiciously like the conservative, orthodox-types who wanted Jesus silenced, executed, crucified.

Considering abortion is exterminating minorities at a faster rate THAN ANY crime, disease or war...I find it damn ironic and sad....deplorable really that Obama fails to fight it and chooses rather to support it.

I am for a woman right even through abortion hurts me deeply. In this day in age, contraception... prevention.self-control..adoption. I would never judge a woman who choose too abort for reasons, but this break my heart.

Is the news media full of 8 year olds?
"natty natty poo poo stick your head in doo doo" is now replaced with similarly smart phrases (which mean nothing) like "flip flopping' or 'clarification" or 'slick' --
Obama was merely restating present law.
He's not about to change it.
Nor could he, single-handedly.
Stay focused. Make sure we get a Democratic senate and congress. Obama gets elected in the 'marginal' areas of the country from the bottom up--he'll ride the coattails of congress and other dems. Not the other way around.
Why all the focus on him? Could it be there are neo nazis masquerading as republicans masquerading as democratic party members?
Oh, the horror!
Get thee to Germany Obama! Make some real news.

Sorry guys, but I agree with most of the people on this board. I'm all for a woman's right to choose, and will defend it vigorously. I often debate with people about how an unformed embryo can be considered a life and how abortions in the first trimester should offend nobody. But late-term abortions - when a baby is truly "alive and kicking", when all it's features are formed - is a disgrace. If the pro-abortion agenda keeps pushing their rights to late-term abortion, they are going to lose a huge percentage of the people who currently support a woman's right to choose. Leave it alone, gals.

After looking what both candidates have offered up so far, I have to say that a vote for McCain is going to be a vote for more of the same....failure.

Typical liberal politician. If a GOP person flip flopped(again) on this stuff, the media and all the stupid academic elites would crucify him. Instead, all you Obama supporters call it "insightful". so typical. There is a reason why the US has led the world with GOP presidents at the helm.

Flippity Floppity. Everything is subject to change in Obamas world. He won't be tied down to any answer. Go McCain.

Posted by: Jerry | July 6, 2008 1:58 PM

So what? Should our politicians be so rigid in their beliefs that they can't alter a position? Or change their mind on a subject? Obama is showing the kind of intelligence and reasoning that will make a great president. McCain will be just the same "cowboy" philosophy that has the country in the mess we are.

Go Obama!!

For those who have spent many months and untold amounts of thier own money to support Mr. Obama, let me ask a few relevant-personal questions. Way back, when Mr. Obama first "Wowed" you with his speeches of hope & change and made you feel as if he was the ONLY politician who wa honest and could make a diference, you beleived his every word right? Even though he didn't have an ounce of specific's, nothing but generalaties and a golden smile, you thought that he and you were in the same groove. You thought that he was just like you, that he thought just like you, that he wanted the same things as you, that he was the only politician that could actualy represent you because he talked the talk of a straight and honest man. How things have changed? Is Mr. Obama holding steadfast to those firm beliefs you both held so dearly? Is Mr. Obama still the man who thinks just like you? Is Mr. Obama still the man who delivers Hope & Change? What happened to Mr. Obama, the great orator, the deliverer of "Yes we can" and "We are what we've been waiting for"? It seems that now, Mr. Obama has started to change his tune. Mr. Obama is begining to act and speak like all other politicians, pandering for more votes, no matter if you're still in that "groove" with the messiah. Pretty soon, you'll be hearing a famous old Hollywood movie phrase from Edward G. Robinson "So, where's your messiah now?". The man, in my opinion, has from the very begining been just another pandering, tell you what you want to hear politician. Now the rest of the world is begining to see the real Obama. No messiah. No Great One. No agent of Hope & Change. No better than the rest, in fact I'd rather stick with someone who doesn't Change just to Hope he get's elected. Maybe it's the Kool-Aid that has you under that spell. Maybe you really don't know what it is you really want and a handsome, young, eloquent speaking man can Change your mind along with his. You better be ready to Change your ideals again and Hope that you can live with constant change.

until the fetus can survive without a UTERUS it is still a fetus, not a person, not a separate entity. it is part and parcel of the MOTHER and until such time as there is a VIABLE WOMB created outside of a woman's body, it is HER ORGAN and HER BUSINESS. KEEP ABORTION LEGAL AND SAFE

Obama spends a lot of time (1) clarifying, and (2) apologizing. While I appreciate that he is someone who prides himself on being able to see the shades of grey, his explanations that are intended to be vauge are a cheap way to attract voters. Absent a clear prior voting record, and plus these statements, Obama comes across as either false or a loose cannon.

Serlady,

Therefore under your reasoning, it shouldn't be against the law for a seven-month pregnant woman to get drunk out of her mind, should it?

Ofcouse Obama has to trend to the middle on abortion if he wants to win in Nov. It is the old bait and switch. He will do everything in his power to up hold Roe v. Wade. I recently read Freiman's Conservative Outcomes and he says it will take a drive lead by a woman to correct Roe v. Wade. He believes the abortion issue is a woman's issue and women will fix it. Interesting look? www.gafreiman.com

Here we go again, how many times during the primaries did he say "let me clarify that." Sorry Obam we got what you meant the first time you said it (that goes for all the many times he wanted to clarify what he previously said). We all know, or should by now, exactly what "let me clarify that" really means. In case you are one of the star struck followers, let me clarify that, it means he is changing his position, but trying to fool you.

Once again Obama has flip flopped on an issue. It appears more and more he would say anything to get the nomination but once he had it, then everything was a misrepresentation of what he meant. He is using the GWB playbook.

What a surprise, Obama can't keep his story straight again, all you people that wanted him for his belief in change?! Now what do you see, we needed/need Hilary! All Democrats should call for her nomination based on her views for the party, Obama is another right moving Democrat, we don't need that in the seat of power helping to weaken already under siege lawes from the Republicans, shame on you Obama, shame...

As a Bright, I can't vote for Obama due to his failure to seperate church and state.

Can we say PANDERing?
Obama's use of a pro-life term which mean s nothing, other than rabble-rousing, is indicative of his character.
Obama says whatever he beleives the crowd he hopes is listening, wants to hear.
Unfortunately for him, everyone is still listening. Unfortunately for US, he still has such a public voice.
Happily, there are those who still support HRC, the woman who speaks what she believes. Regardless the crowd, the popularity or the heat!
Just say no deal and Puma.pac are working diligently every day to maintain REAL support for real candidates. Every member is dedicated to ensure that Obama, the choice of the gut-less wonders, is never leader of these United States! When YOU get tired of the flip-flop panderer who's own agenda is hidden from our view, come on over and join our crusdade!

Bottom line is that there will be no meaningful change in this country unless the Dems totally hose the GOP in this election cycle. We need a Congressional majority and the Oval Office.

Let Obama make whatever claims he wants to. I can think of no politician in my time who was completely honest and got elected.

Half of the people in this country are of less than average intelligence and as distasteful as it may be to some liberal uber-cognizia, we have to pander to them to win.

Stupid bumper sticker slogans are what will sell to our A.D.D society.

I hate to sound like Karl Rove but this cycle is about winning.

And for any of my Christian friends reading this, keep in mind that the Bible has a specific remedy for an undesired late term pregnancy.

Hosea 13:16

If you believe in the Bible, the argument is over - late term abortions are OK by God if done devoutly.

As a liberal Catholic, the abortion issue has been one that's always very hard for me to take sides on. Both sides of the argument are valid, so I think the best thing we can do is try to limit abortions - and especially late-term abortions. I'm actually quite relieved Obama has taken this position, though I'm worried it might cause unfortunate political backlash for him.

How ironic it will be if after months of hearing, "You have to vote for him if you care about abortion rights" we lose them anyway. How does NARAL feel now? I can't believe we wound up with a candidate we know so little about and who has such a sparse record and non-existant paper trail.

My only problem with Obama is that he voted Present. In other words, he abstained. I think he should have voted against that bill since it made no provisions for the health of the mother. But no, he showed moral or perhaps political cowardice and abstained.