Since it hasn't come up yet...

YukonC

who else was really upset after hearing John McCain say that the health of the mother shouldn't play a role in late abortions? 

(I am obviously not for abortion, but becuase I was induced for health reasons, I was pretty upset by his remarks and I was just wondering if I was the only one.)

LovesGreenBay

I have a big problem with 2 MEN debating abortion.  It seem unnatural, you know? 

YukonC

LovesGreenBay:

I have a big problem with 2 MEN debating abortion.  It seem unnatural, you know? 

Yes, and I think they both miss the point that legal abortions are really about womens' health safety...because before Roe v Wade, alot of women were butchered or died because of illegal abortions.

evasmommy

I am by no means an abortion supporter, but WTH?  That is infuriating, and completely rediculous.  When did he say that?!

Stellar1

Did he say that last night? I watched the debates and didn't hear that.

YukonC

evasmommy:

I am by no means an abortion supporter, but WTH?  That is infuriating, and completely rediculous.  When did he say that?!

last night during the debate.

YukonC

It came up during the question "would you nominate a supreme court justice who disagreed with you on Roe v Wade"...they were talking about late term abortions when he said it.

ParisBride06

Yes, I was not a fan of that comment and I definitely did not like when McCain called Obama pro-abortion instead of pro-choice.  There is a BIG difference between the two terms. 

NoVaIrish

I was really upset by it, especially when he went on to imply that it is something that the pro-choice movement exaggerates.  I can't imagine having to make that kind of decision, never mind having it belittled by a presidential candidate during a national debate.

Sueball1

Yukon, you pretty much said exactly what I was thinking, so, well....yeah. Sigh.

It is such a weird thing for me this election, b/c emotionally, I feel more sad and uncomfortable about abortion that ever. I've always been staunchly pro-choice. I still am, but I can see the other side a bit clearer, at least on an emotional level. However, no matter what, I ALWAYS believe the health of the mother should matter, and that it should be a personal choice.

Still. I hate that my mind and my heart are suddenly in such conflict over this issue...?

ocean71506

This is pretty much why I would never vote for a Presidential candidate that was not pro choice.  I chose to "abort" my last pregnancy at 19 weeks because my baby had no chance of survival.  Call it selfish but I did not want to go through labor next to a woman having a healthy baby and I did not want to carry around a baby waiting for her to die.  Abortion is not so cut and dry like some politicians want to make it.

evasmommy

This is what was actually said:

https://elections.nytimes.com/2008/president/debates/transcripts/third-presidential-debate.html

3/4ths down the page.

I think this is an incredibly touchy subject, but I just want to (without interjecting bias) give people a chance to read what was said and decide what he meant.

I'm so terribly sorry that women have been put in the position of making such a terrible choice.. between their lives and the life of their child. 

sharon2004

I think it's ridiculous for someone outside of the situation (and not a medical professional) to be making broad decisions about other people's medical care.  I'm appalled by some of the Palin and McCain remarks.

NoVaIrish

Thanks for posting the transcript, evasmommy. After my post I was trying to remember exactly what was said and then got distracted by something else and didn't have the chance to look up the transcript.

My issue was really when he said "He's health for the mother. You know, that's been stretched by the pro-abortion movement in America to mean almost anything."  I just felt like that was incredibly insensitive to those who have had to make a heartbreaking decision to end a pregnancy either because of risks to the mother's health or because the child has severe complications that would make it impossible for him/her to survive.

I've been blessed that I've never had to make a decision like that, but I have seen women here who have had to make that decision.  And I completely respect whatever decision they do make - but it is their decision and I don't think that the constitution or anyone else should tell them what that decision should be. 

YukonC

Yes, thanks for finding the transcript evasmommy!

What Nova said, is exactly the part I was referring to. Good discussion ladies!

evasmommy

His lack of elloquence is going to be a big factor in this election.. I'm not sure what he meant by that comment, but he can't possibly have an understanding of what a heartbreaking time that is for the couples affected.  It was insensitive at best.

NoVaIrish

evasmommy:

His lack of elloquence is going to be a big factor in this election.. I'm not sure what he meant by that comment, but he can't possibly have an understanding of what a heartbreaking time that is for the couples affected.  It was insensitive at best.

Very true!  I don't think McCain is a bad person at all, or even that all of his ideas are bad but unfortunately he hasn't always been able to express himself well and I think that often puts him into a bad light.  

cloud9climber

yep. It bothered me. ?also, when he saying "pro-abortion". ?I hate that term. ?I don't know ANYONE who is pro-abortion. ?Pro-choice yes but... ?such an idiotic thing to say. ?

I can't wait until the election is over and we don't have to see him or Palin again. ?