Presidential Debate: Bob Schieffer,
Americans Want to Hear a Question About Abortion
October 15, 2008 | By Jack Yoest
AUL Action to Bob Schieffer: Americans Want to Hear a Question About Abortion
Last update: 10:21 a.m. EDT Oct. 15, 2008
WASHINGTON, Oct 15, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ --
Charmaine Yoest, Ph.D. president and CEO
AUL Action
As CBS News' Bob Schieffer prepares to moderate Wednesday night's final presidential candidate debate, AUL Action President Dr. Charmaine Yoest released the following letter.
Dear Mr. Schieffer,
As you prepare for Wednesday night's final presidential debate, I know that you will be working to raise questions on domestic issues that are of interest to a wide range of Americans. I encourage you to ask each candidate about his views on abortion -- something that has not been done at either of the previous debates.
Many Americans are single-issue voters when it comes to abortion, and many more view a candidate's position on abortion as one of a handful of issues on which they select a candidate.
While each candidate's position on Roe v. Wade is well known, it remains unknown what restrictions on abortion each candidate would support in order to achieve the widely agreed upon goal of reducing abortion.
And that is the question I encourage you to ask: What restrictions on abortion would you support in order to achieve the widely agreed upon goal of reducing the number of abortions in our country?
Possible follow up questions include:
-- A recent study by Dr. Michael New (University of Alabama) found that parental involvement laws reduce abortion by 13-31%.
Do you support the right of parents to be involved in the medical decisions of their minor daughters when abortion is being considered?
-- Do you support taxpayer funding for elective abortions?
-- Do you support laws that mandate abortion clinics meet minimum health and safety standards commonly applied to other types of medical practices?
-- Do you support laws requiring abortions be performed by licensed physicians?
Particularly given that Wednesday night's debate was scheduled to focus on domestic policy, the American voters need to hear each candidate respond to at least one question that addresses the topic of abortion, which is one of the central policy questions of our day.
I wish you all the best as you prepare for and moderate the debate.
Sincerely,
Charmaine Yoest, Ph.D.
President & CEO
AUL Action
About AUL Action,
AUL Action is the legislative arm of Americans United for Life (AUL). The first national pro-life organization in America, AUL has been committed to defending human life through vigorous judicial, legislative, and educational efforts at both the federal and state levels since 1971. In addition, AUL has been involved in every pro-life case before the Supreme Court since Roe v. Wade.
SOURCE Americans United For Life
Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
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Comments
Way to go, Charmaine! Let's hope he listens. I'm afraid that it'll just be more of the same, though. Keep on praying!
Posted by: WOW!! | October 15, 2008 6:21 PM
WOW!!! You're good, Charmaine! He asked the question!!! Not well...and not with a lot of probing...but he asked them to clarify themselves on abortion! Thanks for asking Bob to ask!
Posted by: Angie Haube | October 15, 2008 10:38 PM
Angie, thanks much for your encouragement -- even though the debate was billed as Domestic Policy, one never n knows what a liberal commentator will do to avoid any issue favorable to McCain and pro-life conservatives.
Thanks again,
Jack (and Charmaine)
Posted by: Jack Yoest
|
October 16, 2008 5:26 PM
AH, liberals should be talking about abortion -- but it is a losing issue for them -- internal GOP polling has likely voters -- self identified pro-life
Colorado -- 52.8 percent
Florida -- 56.1
Missouri -- 64.1
Minnesota -- 56.7
North Carolina -- 62.7
New Hampshire -- 52.2
Ohio -- 65.0
Pennsylvania -- 60.6
re: ccAdvertising
Thanks for commenting,
Jack
Posted by: Jack Yoest
|
October 16, 2008 5:36 PM