anti-choice protesters fail to sway Obama (thank goodness!)

Rally marks Roe v. Wade anniversary, new president

WASHINGTON – Tens of thousands of abortion opponents rallied Thursday on the National Mall to mark the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade amid concerns they could face political setbacks under the new president.

The rally and subsequent march to the Supreme Court came two days after the swearing-in of President Barack Obama, which many at the rally said emphasized their need to become more vocal with their message.
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Kramer, a Democrat, said he has mixed feelings about Obama. He supports the president's position on Iraq but said he was concerned about statements Obama made during the campaign indicating support for the Freedom of Choice Act, which would overrule many state-level restrictions on access to abortion.

"Love always finds a way. There's a way we can find for every pregnant woman to have a child or give it up for adoption," he said.

In a letter posted on their Web site, organizers invited Obama to speak at Thursday's rally.
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Obama, who did not attend the rally, issued a statement Thursday saying the government "should not intrude on our most private family matters" and reaffirming his support for abortion rights.

"While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue, no matter what our views, we are united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce the need for abortion, and support women and families in the choices they make," Obama said.

A small group of abortion-rights supporters also gathered in front of the Supreme Court on Thursday.

Lisa King of Washington, D.C., said she is disappointed that Obama did not immediately move to overturn the so-called "global gag rule," which denies U.S. funds to any international family planning group that provides abortion-related services or information.

"I'm just waiting and seeing really," King said. "I don't have any huge expectations just because he's a Democrat."

She said she worries the abortion issue will be a low priority, given all the other problems that Obama faces.

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I would be horrified is Obama spoke at this kind of rally, unless he was telling them that he does not agree with them!
Of course, as usual, his position and remarks are logical and well thought-out. If he ever changed his position on this issue he would lose a huge number of supporters. Hopefully, he will never go that far off of the deep end.
And just how naive are these people? "Love will find a way"? Yes, that sounds nice and would be true is every woman who ever became pregnant was in a supportive, financially stable and loving relationship, but that is certainly not always the case. If it was, there would rarely be a need for abortions.
I can't imagine that Obama, with the strong, intelligent women in his life, would ever waiver on this vital women's rights issue.

More from Americablog:

Obama on Roe v. Wade: "I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose."

Today marks the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. The White House press office released a powerful statement from the new President:

On the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we are reminded that this decision not only protects women’s health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters. I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose.

While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue, no matter what our views, we are united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce the need for abortion, and support women and families in the choices they make. To accomplish these goals, we must work to find common ground to expand access to affordable contraception, accurate health information, and preventative services.

On this anniversary, we must also recommit ourselves more broadly to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights and opportunities as our sons: the chance to attain a world-class education; to have fulfilling careers in any industry; to be treated fairly and paid equally for their work; and to have no limits on their dreams. That is what I want for women everywhere.

The times have surely changed. This is a very respectful statement. We have NOT heard respectful language from the White House for eight years.

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