Democratic Party Must Rethink Its Abortion Stand

Eyebrows were raised in the offices of pro-abortion activists, as well as the National Democratic headquarters, when an article by Frances Kissling began to circulate. Kissling is the president of the so-called Catholics for Choice, a pro-abortion organization. Her article, in no uncertain terms, questioned the hard-core radicalism of the pro-abortion movement.

Kissling cited a New York Times op-ed that said pro-abortion activists “don’’t know how to articulate the value of unborn human life.” Of course you and I know the reason for that. They hold no value for unborn life.

This particular pro-abortion leader took Planned Parenthood to task for encouraging women to brag about their abortions. The selling of t-shirts announcing ““I had an abortion”” crossed the line for many abortion advocates. Kissling feels this rigid approach to abortion is costing them public opinion. She also referred to pro-abortion activists who opposed the Laci and Conner Peterson bill, which she said ““made us seem heartless.””

The harshest criticism for her fellow activists was directed at their collective opposition to the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban, which she acknowledged was a public relations disaster. And she’’s worried about the continued erosion of public support for abortion in the wake of upcoming federal legislation. The Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act would require that abortionists offer anesthesia for the babies of women aborting past 20 weeks gestation. Kissling suggests the pro-abortion movement recognize that modern science has for years documented pain felt by unborn babies. She says they should get their heads out of the sand and deal with this legislation realistically. To do otherwise would invite a continued widespread erosion of public support for abortion in America. Basically, she cautioned her movement against opposing this legislation. She cited John Kerry’’s support for partial-birth abortion as a key reason for his defeat in the presidential election.

Kissling thinks her movement needs to take a different approach. She advocates that so-called “pro-choicers” should in the future react with sadness over the loss of the baby’’s life. She questions whether or not it’s “time to try and combine rights and morality, to consider both women and developing human life.”

Kissling’’s article should be taken with a grain of salt by pro-lifers. Her organization is still dedicated to abortion-on-demand. It’’s certainly possible she wants the pro-abortion movement to soften their rhetoric to disguise their real agenda. It’’s interesting to note, while she calls late-term abortion “grim,” she isn’’t advocating these babies be protected by society from abortion. Considering this reality, the Kissling article was little more than an fascinating wrinkle in the ongoing life-or-death battle.

However, the events that followed it make the bigger picture more interesting. Some in the National Democrat Party are questioning their total loyalty to the abortion industry.

Shortly after Thanksgiving, top Democrat activists gathered in Washington, DC, at the headquarters of the AFL-CIO. John Kerry was in attendance and was asked a key question. Ellen Malcolm is the president of Emily’’s List, a pro-abortion political action committee. She asked Senator Kerry for his opinion on where the Democrat party was going. His answer shocked everyone in the room. Kerry said the Party must reach out to pro-life voters. He also advocated welcoming pro-life Democrat candidates. For years such candidates and incumbents have been weeded out of the National Party. Nancy Keenan, president of the National Abortion Rights Action League, told the media there was a gasp in the room.

If there is to be a pro-life evolution in the Democrat party, don’’t expect pro-abortion activists to go down without a fight. Gloria Feldt, president of Planned Parenthood, responded to Kerry’’s comments by criticizing him for not touting his pro-abortion position more strongly during the campaign. These radial organizations know they will slip into the pages of history without the support of the Democrat party. Evidence abounds that Americans are becoming more pro-life and see them for what they are.

There’s further evidence leaders of the Democrat party see their hard-core pro-abortion image as a detriment. House Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader, Harry Reid (D-NV), both pro-abortion (Reid to a lesser degree), have endorsed a pro-lifer as the new chair of the Democratic National Committee. It’s possible they have finally faced the reality that so many Americans have known for years:— it’s a net positive for candidates who are pro-life. The latest presidential race helped to confirm this. Twenty-two percent of voters cited “moral values” as their number one issue in voting. Further research has pointed to abortion as the key issue in the minds of value voters. A poll shows that President Bush’’s pro-life position gave him an 8% advantage over John Kerry.

It’’s telling to see John Kerry, a hard-core pro-abortion candidate, advocate for moderation on abortion within his party. But will they listen to sound advice and welcome unborn babies and their mothers into the political tent? Or will pro-abortion activists retain their chokehold on the Party? It would seem many have found worshiping at the altar of the abortion industry has left many Democrat candidates swelling the ranks of the unemployed.

Here’’s further evidence if you need it. Kristin Day, Executive Director of Democrats for Life of America, has complied some persuasive facts. The Democrat party went from controlling the House of Representatives, with the support of 125 pro-life members, to holding a minority position in the House with only 35 pro-life Democrats. Many political pundits credit the Democrats’ loss of the majority in the US Senate to three key races in the pro-life stronghold states of Georgia, Missouri and Minnesota.

A growing number of Democrats, both pro-life and pro-abortion, realize the Democrat party is being held hostage to the abortion industry. They also see no future for their party if it’s hard-core pro-abortion position prevails. If you are a pro-life Democrat who feels disenfranchised by your party, join the swelling ranks of Democrats for Life of America. Their website is www.democratsforlife.org. Now is the time to let your voice be heard at the National Democrat Headquarters. More pro-life Democrat candidates and incumbents mean that more unborn babies will be saved from abortion. And their parents will be spared from the emotional ravages it so often brings.