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In reply to the discussion: How can one claim to be progressive while being pro-life? [View all]Omaha Steve
(99,573 posts)70. How did you miss it?
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/tim-kaine-abortion-predicament-225053
But he hasnt always advanced policies directly in line with those of abortion rights advocacy groups. He pledged in his 2005 gubernatorial campaign to reduce the number of terminated pregnancies in the state by promoting adoption and abstinence-focused education. That cycle, the state NARAL chapter ripped Kaines GOP opponent, Jerry Kilgore, as an extremely anti-choice candidate but still withheld its endorsement of Kaine because he embraces many of the restrictions on a womans right to choose.
In a 2007 NARAL scorecard, Kaine was described as a mixed-choice governor and his state got an F grade thanks in part to a number of laws and other policies restricting access to abortions. Two years later, Kaine upset both local and national reproductive rights groups by signing a law that authorized the sale of customized Choose Life license plates. Kaine argued he was supporting free speech, but his critics complained that the law would fund pro-life organizations and didnt square with another very important hat that he was wearing at the time: Obamas personally picked head of the Democratic National Committee.
Kaine brings many other attributes as a running mate, including a widely respected reputation for bipartisanship, after serving just under four years in the Senate, and his own proven political chops winning three straight statewide races in the critical battleground of Virginia. But the hot button issue of abortion, where he has a much more nuanced stance than many of his fellow Democrats, is the baggage he carries.
People use labels all the time, Kaine explained in a recent interview on NBCs Meet the Press, an exchange emblematic of the challenge he faces in talking about a politically volatile topic where his religion conflicts with his policy stance. Im kind of a traditional Catholic. Personally, Im opposed to abortion, and personally, Im opposed to the death penalty.
Kaine and Mello are both Catholics.
But he hasnt always advanced policies directly in line with those of abortion rights advocacy groups. He pledged in his 2005 gubernatorial campaign to reduce the number of terminated pregnancies in the state by promoting adoption and abstinence-focused education. That cycle, the state NARAL chapter ripped Kaines GOP opponent, Jerry Kilgore, as an extremely anti-choice candidate but still withheld its endorsement of Kaine because he embraces many of the restrictions on a womans right to choose.
In a 2007 NARAL scorecard, Kaine was described as a mixed-choice governor and his state got an F grade thanks in part to a number of laws and other policies restricting access to abortions. Two years later, Kaine upset both local and national reproductive rights groups by signing a law that authorized the sale of customized Choose Life license plates. Kaine argued he was supporting free speech, but his critics complained that the law would fund pro-life organizations and didnt square with another very important hat that he was wearing at the time: Obamas personally picked head of the Democratic National Committee.
Kaine brings many other attributes as a running mate, including a widely respected reputation for bipartisanship, after serving just under four years in the Senate, and his own proven political chops winning three straight statewide races in the critical battleground of Virginia. But the hot button issue of abortion, where he has a much more nuanced stance than many of his fellow Democrats, is the baggage he carries.
People use labels all the time, Kaine explained in a recent interview on NBCs Meet the Press, an exchange emblematic of the challenge he faces in talking about a politically volatile topic where his religion conflicts with his policy stance. Im kind of a traditional Catholic. Personally, Im opposed to abortion, and personally, Im opposed to the death penalty.
Kaine and Mello are both Catholics.
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Believe it or not there are people on this board defending this choice instead of campaigning...
brush
Apr 2017
#4
I think she/he broke it down splendidly. Tell Sanders to stop backing pro-lifers
brush
Apr 2017
#142
Because being a "purist" is not a prerequisite for being a progressive/liberal.
Lil Missy
Apr 2017
#9
All good questions about the future, based on past behaviors, NOT the past primary
Hekate
Apr 2017
#25
I think it's fine to be pro life as long as you don't impose your beliefs on others.
Kablooie
Apr 2017
#34
I totally agree with you. Pro-life fits pro-choice Democrats better than...
WePurrsevere
Apr 2017
#85
He's not my Senator, nor am I a target of "Democratic Outreach" -already being a Democrat, but sure.
Warren DeMontague
Apr 2017
#130
"I strongly support the right of women to make their own health and reproductive decisions and...
LexVegas
Apr 2017
#112
Not until he got in the US Senate as Gov, he was anti-abortion as Gov (links included)
Omaha Steve
Apr 2017
#141
You are, of course, correct. Anyone saying otherwise has ulterior motives for doing so. nt
LexVegas
Apr 2017
#114
Kaine is opposed to abortion RIGHTS? Or just to abortions? Can you clarify?
NurseJackie
Apr 2017
#65
Again... is he opposed to abortions or abortion RIGHTS? There's a difference.
NurseJackie
Apr 2017
#69
Anytime. Those were the exact same smears that popped up when HRC picked Kaine to be her VP
FSogol
Apr 2017
#86
I believe that the smear was self-deleted for "strategic" reasons. Not because ...
NurseJackie
Apr 2017
#88
Major abortion rights groups and some of their allies on Capitol Hill are tip-toeing around....
Omaha Steve
Apr 2017
#127
It isn't a black and white issue and isn't the most important issue to many people...
cbdo2007
Apr 2017
#57
Because one does not understand that reproductive freedom is necessary for economic justice
Recursion
Apr 2017
#58
I counter that with: How can someone drive a Prius with a Trump bumper sticker?
Initech
Apr 2017
#95
(I call it Anti-choice, not pro-life.) You can't -- and I'm disappointed in Bernie!
50 Shades Of Blue
Apr 2017
#101
I was pointed here by a respose to an OP of mine by the author of this one.
Tom Rinaldo
Apr 2017
#105
Better subject, "How can one claim to be a progressive while not being pro choice?"
LAS14
Apr 2017
#107
I agree that "pro-life" is a lie. What they really are is "anti-choice" and "anti-woman".
athena
Apr 2017
#137
By "Pro-Life" you mean "anti-abortion", not someone wanting to outlaw the death penalty, or
ColemanMaskell
Apr 2017
#129
Exactly. But it's not even "anti-abortion"; it's "anti-choice" and "anti-woman".
athena
Apr 2017
#138
How interesting (NOT) that a right-leaning blog didn't post Rep Pelosi's ENTIRE comment:
musette_sf
Apr 2017
#148