Hillary: I could compromise on abortion if it included exceptions for mother's health

[TheDormouse]

From an interview with MSNBC's Chuck Todd that apparently was broadcast the week of September 29, 2015 on MTP Daily.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2015/09/29/hillary_clinton_i_could_compromise_on_abortion_if_it_included_exceptions_for_mothers_health.html#ooid=N1ODF1dzpHyB52_cmPb77qDHRLMY2We_

CHUCK TODD: Are there reasonable restrictions that you would ever support on abortion?

HILLARY CLINTON: I've said that there were.

CHUCK TODD: What are they?

HILLARY CLINTON: And that's under Roe v. Wade, that there can be restrictions in the very end of, you know, the third trimester. But they have to take into account the life and health of the mother.

I remember in '96, Chuck, my husband vetoed a very restrictive legislation on late-term abortions. And he vetoed it at an event in the White House where we invited a lot of women who had faced this very difficult decision that ought to be made based on their own conscience, their family, their faith, in consultation with doctors. Those stories left a searing impression on me. You know, women who think their pregnancy is going well and then wake up and find some really terrible problem, women whose life is threatened themselves if they carry their child to term, and women who are told by doctors that the child they're carrying will not survive.

And so, you know, again, I am where I have been, which is that, you know, if there is a way to structure some kind of constitutional restrictions that take into account the life of the mother and her health, then I'm open to that. But I have yet to see the Republicans willing to actually do that. And that would be an area, where if they included health, you could see constitutional actions.

https://www.nbcumv.com/news/hillary-clinton-tells-chuck-todd-her-organizing-principle-%E2%80%9Cdefend-our-security-our-interests

[WDIM]

1. wow

Hillary is leaving plenty of room to run to the right.

[TheDormouse]

2. That was my response as well--Someone else said Hillary had said she would be

willing to compromise on reproductive rights to get things done, and I replied that even though I know she's said she is willing to compromise with conservatives to get things done, I could not believe she would go so far as to include compromising on reproductive rights. I thought that was one area that she would be a firewall in defending progressive principles.

Boy, was I wrong!

[NWCorona]

7. I thought Roe vs Wade was done and settled?

I guess not.

[WDIM]

8. She would consider a constitutional amendment

That is huge. Thats not some small restriction that is changing the foundation of our country.

The word abortion should never appear in our constitution. The constitution in not meant to limit rights or grant rights it is meant to protect rights. The right of a woman to choose has been protected for 40 years and Hillary would consider changing that. Shameful.

[TheDormouse]

11. I don't think she necessarily meant a constitutional amendment

It sounded to me like what she was saying was that she could compromise on legislation, so long as it was constitutional under Roe v Wade.

[noiretextatique]

72. I've heard her mention a constitutional amendment

Perhaps not in this interview, but she did say it.

[athena]

90. The adjective "constitutional" means relating to the constitution.

In this context, it means "within the constitution." Without the word "amendment" anywhere to be seen, it's a stretch to argue that Clinton is advocating a constitutional amendment to restrict abortion rights.

[randome]

9. Plenty of room to stay right where we are, too.

She's speaking in diplomatic tongues to show her willingness to conservatives on the fence between her and Trump. It doesn't mean she will actually do anything to roll back abortion rights.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]A ton of bricks, a ton of feathers, it's still gonna hurt.[/center][/font][hr]

[nashville_brook]

21. great example of history-free response. this poster *could* be a Millennial, post-90s

vintage. or not.

the argument that's all one big eleventy-dimensional chess game...this time with our abortion rights...hmmmm, seems terribly familiar.

(Damn you Lucy! you said you'd hold the football THIS time!!!)

[randome]

28. It's not any nth-dimensional chess. It's politics. Diplomacy among an enemy in our midst.

You can't reason with the GOP, you can't shout at them, you can't plead with them. The only way to get something done is to trip them up with language. I can't see Clinton doing a thing to roll back abortion rights. All the evil stuff that's been done in the past few years has been GOP governors signing odious laws. Clinton isn't going to follow that road.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]A ton of bricks, a ton of feathers, it's still gonna hurt.[/center][/font][hr]

[TheDormouse]

23. Why can't we have a candidate who says exactly what she means, directly, without any

diplomatic wiggle-room? A progressive Margaret Thatcher, if you will?

[randome]

26. Because they're dealing with morons, that's why.

You can't argue righteousness to the GOP, it's not a concept they understand. Obama has made many of the same overtures and never followed through on them. He knows how to yank their chains. Hopefully Clinton understands that, too.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]A ton of bricks, a ton of feathers, it's still gonna hurt.[/center][/font][hr]

[bettyellen]

35. because the idiots will be alienated. she left wiggle room to leave it between a woman and her doc

and you can't actually do better than that. But it fools people (like it did here) into thinking it is slightly conservative.
Planned Parenthood gets it, sorry for DU that it does not.

[beam me up scottie]

30. Except this isn't the first time she said that.

She even used right wing terminology calling late term abortions "partial birth abortions":

Q: Are there circumstances when the government should limit choice?

LAZIO: I had a pro-choice record in the House, and I believe in a woman’s right to choose. I support a ban on partial-birth abortions. Senator Moynihan called it “infanticide.” Even former mayor Ed Koch agreed that this was too extreme a procedure. This is an area where I disagree with my opponent. My opponent opposes a ban on partial-birth abortions.

CLINTON: My opponent is wrong. I have said many times that I can support a ban on late-term abortions, including partial-birth abortions, so long as the health and life of the mother is protected. I’ve met women who faced this heart-wrenching decision toward the end of a pregnancy. Of course it’s a horrible procedure. No one would argue with that. But if your life is at stake, if your health is at stake, if the potential for having any more children is at stake, this must be a woman’s choice.

Source: Senate debate in Manhattan , Oct 8, 2000

http://www.ontheissues.org/2016/Hillary_Clinton_Abortion.htm

If Bernie said something like that we'd never hear the end of it, he's always been 100% pro-choice.

[randome]

33. And it should be 100% a woman's choice. No exceptions.

But politicians behave like politicians. I can't see Clinton actually doing anything to roll back abortion rights. She would be rightly crucified for making the attempt and I think she knows it. Problem is, she sometimes thinks she has to say what is necessary to take some of the wind out of the GOP's sails. IMO.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]A ton of bricks, a ton of feathers, it's still gonna hurt.[/center][/font][hr]

[beam me up scottie]

36. Abortion rights should NEVER be put on the table.

Especially not when our rights are being constantly eroded at the state level.

Anti-choice voters won't vote for a Democrat anyway, there is no reason for her to signal that she's willing to bargain away our rights.

[randome]

40. I don't even think it's a signal, just political blather. bettyellen said it best above.

There is a lot of 'wiggle room' in what she said that effectively leaves the issue off the table despite the political calculations. Unfortunately we are still trying to get the conservative majority out of Congress so she likely thinks she has to tread carefully.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Treat your body like a machine. Your mind like a castle.[/center][/font][hr]

[beam me up scottie]

43. Why go there at all when we're under attack in the states?

Gmafb, Bernie went to Liberty U and STOOD UP for our rights and he was raked over the coals here by Hillary supporters.

Now she admits she's willing to compromise and her supporters are telling us it's no big deal?

[TheDormouse]

55. You're absolutely right. nt

[bbgrunt]

63. sometimes you just gotta stand on principles (if you have any)

[noiretextatique]

77. You nailed it!

If you have any principles.

[noiretextatique]

75. Nothing she does is a big deal

Gaffes and misspeaks and political blather and mistakes and evolution. This woman is NEVER held accountable!

[beam me up scottie]

83. Precisely.

They've defended her vote for the Iraq war, her friend and confidant Kissinger and even her support for DOMA, she can do no wrong.

[Fumesucker]

48. Crucified by whom, the far left?

Hillary supporters will be fine with anything she does and as far as Hillary is concerned the left can go and pound sand, who else are they going to vote for, Trump?

[TheDormouse]

80. shhh ... Bernie Sanders nt

[noiretextatique]

74. She's offered this up a few times

As a bone to Republicans, presumably to make a 3rd way grand bargain.

[Doctor_J]

37. So she's lying about being open to reproductive rights restrictions?

Seriously your entire subspecies has completely lost touch with reality

[randome]

41. It's not a lie, it's political blather.

It shows her willingness to 'reach across the aisle' and at the same time mention that it's a choice between a woman and her doctor, thereby undercutting the entire premise.

Like it or not, we still have a conservative majority in Congress that has to be dealt with. She's not going to abridge abortion rights.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Treat your body like a machine. Your mind like a castle.[/center][/font][hr]

[Doctor_J]

44. So she says she's OK with curbing reproductive rights, but she's really not

And that's not lying. Got it.

Talking to you guys is like trying to reason with a four year old or a trekkie.

[revbones]

53. You're not going to get anywhere.

I'm reminded a bit of some interviews on YouTube of Trump followers who, when confronted with some of his statements would say things like "He doesn't really mean that, he's just trying to be political", etc...

[Lizzie Poppet]

58. Princess Weathervane's Ostrich Army.

[Chan790]

70. I like that one.

I think I'll remember it for next time I need such a descriptor.

[Vattel]

59. Come on randome, on your view she is lying, plain and simple.

[randome]

76. The headline is a lie. It's a quote without the use of quotation marks.

Clinton never said "I could compromise..." But it's presented as a first-person statement to give the appearance of a quote.

She isn't going to roll back abortion rights. "...if there is a way..." is something one says that leaves plenty of room to later say "No, sorry, that one doesn't cut it. Next!"

I don't like her using this approach but this is how she works. She's doing more pandering to the fence-sitters than I think she needs to.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]TECT in the name of the Representative approves of this post.[/center][/font][hr]

[Vattel]

81. fair enough

[TheDormouse]

82. summary = a brief statement that presents the main points in a concise form

[TheDormouse]

85. so, how would you write the thread title?

[coyote]

73. But but but Hillary is all about women's rights

Hillary supporters told me so.

[Matt_in_STL]

3. In before the accusations that it wasn't what she meant or it was out of context

They'll be here soon.

[Lizzie Poppet]

14. She CLEARLY meant Republican obstruction!

You hater!!!

[Arugula Latte]

20. And also in before accusations of "sexism" and irrational "hate."

[IdaBriggs]

4. As a woman who deals with preemies and special needs issues...

I have no words that are usable in polite company for my anger and outrage over this obscene willingness to legislate medical decisions to satisfy the right wing whackos she is attempting to court.

[AtomicKitten]

51. It's a dangerous slippery slope argument to be open to compromise on this.

In my 40 years of medical transcription, the few later term abortions I have done were without exception due to catastrophic anomalies, not as one Clinton supporter here argued "third trimester abortions on demand."

On this point, we cannot yield an inch. I am appalled at her willingness to bargain this important women's right away.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

5. The life and health of the mother. Would that include just not wanting to be pregnant?

Who would decide?

[NWCorona]

6. WOW!

I thought everything she said was great until I got to the bold part. The door to compromise on this issue should never be opened!

[nashville_brook]

10. anyone who thinks HRC is solid on abortion needs to get educated.

she's not. never has been. her and Bill both pioneered the art of "compromise" on this subject, resulting in parental notification, waiting periods, and NOW (b/c of that slippery slope) mandatory ultrasounds.

the "history" of the 90s is barely old enough to be history and already people have forgotten.

[TheDormouse]

12. some of us aren't old enough to have been paying attention then nt

[nashville_brook]

16. books? internet? if you're interested in reproductive rights, it only takes a few hours to

get up to speed. if it's something that matters, it might be worth a little research time.

[loyalsister]

49. Legal, safe, and rare

couched in speeches about what a horrible decision it is to have to make. Conceding the shame narrative in RW ideology.

[Lizzie Poppet]

13. And mind you, this isn't some ancient embarrassment dredged up from the distant past.

This was less than six months ago.

Someone want to tell me again why my vagina means that I should support Hillary?

[TheDormouse]

15. bcz there's a special place in Hell for women who don't support other women

or something like that.

[Lizzie Poppet]

17. Yep.

Ah,well...I'll be in good company.

[Arugula Latte]

18. Worst Presumed "Democratic" Nominee EVER.

Gawd, she just gets worse and worse.

[2banon]

27. This!^^^^^^10000!

[Peace Patriot]

19. Clinton is going to betray EVERYONE who supports her now, on multiple issues!

She has NO strong convictions, and is NOT even a liberal.

Women (on abortion, support for Planned Parenthood, equal pay, etc.).
Workers (on TPP and every other issue of importance).
Students on debt.
African Americans on private prisons, mass incarceration & police murder and brutality.
Immigrants & their families (send them back to the RW death squad countries she helps create).
The elderly (Social Security is on the chopping block, believe me).
Health care (oh gawd!)
Fighting "Citizens United" (ha-ha-ha).
ALL supporters, on the Forever War (all except war profiteers--they won't be betrayed).

There is not an issue on which her unthinking, gullible supporters won't be betrayed.

[noamnety]

46. People who want potable water should be on that list.

"Flint should never happen to anyone. Now let's start fracking."

[Zorra]

22. I, for one, welcome the all wise Hillary selling off my personal control over my own body.

Not.

[TheDormouse]

24. is that a younger Kasich? nt

[Zorra]

29. I can't tell. Misogynist Republican racist homphobes all look the same to me. nt

[TheDormouse]

32. lol nt

[2banon]

25. Well, I guess if it's good enough for Planned Parenthood.....?

after all, they "endorsed" her straight from the git, they must know her position.

right?

[Ino]

31. Nice of her to advertise...

her willingness to compromise on abortion. I'm sure the other side will be thrilled to take her up on it. Maybe they'll hold the budget hostage so she can say she was "forced" to do it? Or trade it for consideration for one of her own pet projects? Or maybe she'll just offer it outright for a purely selfish reason... to get Repuke votes for her second term, donations, etc.

Obviously, abortion rights is not a sacred issue for her (what is?), so it's up for the highest bidder.

[Doctor_J]

34. And the ideological gap between her and the republicans grows ever smaller

In fact she is well to the right of them on some things.

[senz]

38. Women's rights, uh-huh. Thanks, Hill.

[Zen Democrat]

39. Hillary is the same as she's always been. Third Way. Blue Dog Democrat.

I was encouraged to see most of the Blue Dogs leave Congress in the past several years, Blanche Lincoln especially. They are closer to Republicans than Democrats.

People claim Bernie is not a Democrat. I believe, in spirit, he's the only REAL Democrat running (an FDR/New Deal accolyte) and Hillary's the BLUE DOG Democrat willing to sacrifice Democratic gains to make deals with the Dark Side. Just.Like.Bill

[Vinca]

42. When will politicians give up gynecology as a hobby?

It's a legal procedure. End of story. Keep your noses out of the private lives of women. That means you, too, Hillary.

[CharlotteVale]

45. She can't be trusted. On anything.

[TheDormouse]

47. Why aren't reproductive rights non-negotiable for her?

Here's what she just told AIPAC:

&quot W)e need steady hands, not a president who says he’s neutral on Monday, pro-Israel on Tuesday, and who knows what on Wednesday, because everything’s negotiable.

Well, my friends, Israel’s security is non-negotiable."

http://time.com/4265947/hillary-clinton-aipac-speech-transcript/

Israel's security is non-negotiable but Hillary is willing to compromise on reproductive rights?

[davidn3600]

50. She's already starting to inch her way back to the center

[DJ13]

52. She's already starting to inch her way back to the

...far right.

Are we SURE she's not a mislabled Republican?

[TheDormouse]

56. but this interview was 6 months ago nt

[ChairmanAgnostic]

61. So, do tell.

Which iteration is she on now? SOP for her.

A coin toss holds fewer positions, depending on the audience.

[noiretextatique]

79. She's never moved...this was 6 months ago

She was already tossing the right bones.

[AzDar]

54. Welp... ANYONE care to defend this shit?

Un-Fucking-Believable

[Juicy_Bellows]

60. So far we got a 'politcal theater' excuse and crickets. NT.

[Bettie]

66. Not even a page of

smilies as a 'defense'.

[athena]

89. It's actually brilliant.

I'm not sure if anybody is reading what she said. Note the big "if" clause at the beginning of the sentence in bold. Hillary often does this: puts a big if clause next to something she's being asked to agree with, which only points out how unreasonable the demand is. In this case, not only does she emphasize the "if" clause, but she mentions that no republican is willing to come close to her requirements. In other words, she's pointing out that Republicans don't care about women's lives or health, while making it clear to anyone who is listening that she will protect women's reproductive freedom as president.

Of course, it's not a sound byte, nor an easy promise that can then be used to defeat her in the general election. It seems to me that many people would rather have a totally pure candidate who has no chance to win in November than a brilliant candidate who is being careful not to destroy her chances with the general public so early on. Has no one learned anything from the 2000 election?

[Bjornsdotter]

57. And that is a huge

.....problem for me.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

62. Wait til she weighs in on slavery, immigration, and allowing Muslims here.

[Ken Burch]

64. This proves she can't be trusted to defend choice.

There is no situation in which she would even have to consider offering this compromise. There's never going to be a veto-proof anti-choice majority in both houses of Congress.

[sadoldgirl]

65. Someone here called it just political "blather"

And that is just what most of the voters are sick and
tired of.

It is the same kind of "blather" she uses for many issues,
which is exactly the reason for distrusting her.

Sorry, state your position clearly ( and not just on this
subject) and then explain the reasons for your
stand. If you cannot do that like in this case, you
don't deserve the office you crave.

[surrealAmerican]

68. If this is "blather" how are we supposed to know ...

... which of her expressed progressive positions are just blather too?

Once you know someone lies some of the time, you can't trust them.

[peace13]

67. Throwing women's rights under the bus!

Gotta wonder why women would be willing to vote her way. With Hill, it appears that everything Is negotiable. Nothing against Hill or her peeps. I just can't understand.

[Marr]

69. That's the problem with having no real convictions beyond winning.

What's funny is her supporters insisting she's just lying. So it's ok.

[TBF]

71. Everyone's big argument for Hillary is SCOTUS -

how does that work if she can't support choice?

Unbelievable.

[riderinthestorm]

78. Yup, Roe v Wade is already fragile. Hillary can't be trusted to keep it safe nt

[closeupready]

84. Plenty of women oppose a woman's right to choose - Republicans,

most all of them.

This just goes to show you, she'll say whatever she has to in order to win, and then she'll do whatever she has to in order to not have to make difficult decisions. Typical DLC Democrat.

She's little Ms. Shortcut - she's taken shortcuts at every step, trying to shortcut her way to glory and riches. She succeeded on the latter part.

[TheDormouse]

86. during a debate, they should play that tape & ask Hillary

if she has evolved in the past 6 months, or if she is still 'where she has been,' you know, willing to compromise on abortion rights

[pdsimdars]

87. How grand of her.

[Zira]

91. Well, I guess we should congratulate her. She hasn't flip flopped.

I doubt she's actually flip flopped on a lot of things.

She just flip flops on what she says not what she will do

She clearly hasn't changed on her old views on restricting women's right to choose.

Thanks for vetoing that, Bill!

[TheDormouse]

92. and now she's posturing about being the champion of abortion rights

on MSNBC.

[nc4bo]

93. #WhichHillary? I admit to having no damn idea. nt