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Monday, August 25, 2008

Let’s Be Clear

Presumptive Republican Presidential Nominee Senator John McCain has overturning Roe v. Wade and ending legal abortion at the top of his agenda.

I’ve posted my position on abortion here before. I stand by my statements. But as the new television ad featuring Debra Bartoshevich, a former supporter of and delegate for Senator Hillary Clinton, who is now campaigning for Senator McCain rolls out, I needed to raise this issue. Ms. Bartoshevich threw her support behind Senator McCain, apparently operating under the mistaken belief that Senator McCain, once known as “The Maverick”, was pro-choice.

Senator John McCain is not pro-choice.

2 comments:

Pinky's Pages said...

I don't proclaim to know anything about politics, but have a question? We watch Sky news here in London and they interviewed this woman, Lady Rothchild, who was supporting Hilary Clinton. With Barack Obama being the Democratic Candidate, she was asked whether she would vote for him, her answer (losely quoted), "I'm not sure... I love my country more than I love my party." How do you feel when Democrats are kind of on the fence with their votes i.e. they proclaim to be Democrats, but will still not hesitate to vote for a Republican if the 'right' Democratic candidate is not running for president? ... A bit confusing for us non-Americans watching from the sidelines...
Hugs, xx
PS Apologies for the long question and hope I don't offend you.

Pink Granite said...

Hi Lailaa -
Great question!!!

Because the Democratic primary was so close in overall votes between Senators Clinton and Obama and that the decision went right down to the very last primary, there was a great deal of passion on both sides.

After the final primary, Senator Obama became the presumptive nominee, based on votes and states won. But that night, instead of conceding the race to Obama, Senator Clinton and her staff continued to act as if the primaries weren't over. This was highly unusual.

In addition to the closeness of the race, two states had broken the rules spelled out by the Democrats. That meant that the primary results from Michigan and Florida were in question. That seems to me to be where the really deep rift between some of Senator Clinton's supporters and some of Senator Obama's supporters got the ugliest.

When Senator Clinton did make her concession speech and threw her support behind Senator Obama (as is traditional), some of her most ardent supporters couldn't let go. Some of them have been very vocal in their displeasure that Senator Clinton is not the presumptive nominee. Some of them seem to think the process of resolving the Michigan and Florida votes was unfair and sexist.

Unfortunately, some of Senator Clinton's supporters have said that if they can't vote to elect Hillary Clinton for President, then they will vote for Republican John McCain. This makes absolutely no sense to me. As avid supporters of Senator Clinton, they must have approved of her policy positions. Senator Barack Obama's policy positions are much closer to Senator Clinton's than Senator McCain's. His are way out at the other end of the spectrum!

It was incredible that the same election cycle that we had such a tremendously popular and successful woman running for president was the same cycle we had such a tremendously popular and successful man of color running for president! Making either Obama or Clinton the Democratic Nominee would be historic. Likewise, electing either Clinton or Obama would make history!

I'm a registered "independent", not a registered Democrat. However, I have been a supporter of Senator Obama's from the beginning. But if Senator Clinton had won the primaries, I would be supporting her and voting for her. Not because she is a Democrat. But because between her and Senator John McCain there is no contest.

Once upon a time, McCain was more moderate and was known for working collaboratively with Democrats. But during this election he has returned to the Republican base and is cleaving closely to their agenda. I believe that agenda equals four more years of the Bush-Cheney administration. Four more years of misguided, dangerous and repressive policies will only further damage our nation and the world.

That's why I could never in good conscience vote for John McCain. That's why I shake my head in disbelief when I hear supporters of Senator Clinton say they refuse to vote for Senator Obama and will instead vote for Senator McCain. To me, they are cutting off their nose to spite their face.

I have to say that I am moved that so many people around the world are watching this presidential election so closely. I hope that we elect Barack Obama to be the next President of the United States of America and can begin to get our nation back on the right track!

I hope I didn't tell you how to build a clock, when all you asked for was the time!
Thanks for asking Lailaa!
;o)
- Lee