Pro-Choice Leader Attends GOP Platform Hearing; Request to Testify Denied

[Nambe]

US Newswire

NEW YORK, Aug. 25 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Elizabeth Cavendish, interim president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, the leading national advocate for personal privacy and a woman's right to choose, attended this morning's hearing of the Republican Platform Committee, seeking to be heard on the proposed platform plank that calls for amending the U.S. Constitution to eliminate the right to choose entirely. Her request to testify was denied.

In her prepared testimony Cavendish intended to challenge the Republicans to highlight their position in prime time during the convention, instead of hiding behind a handful of high profile pro-choice Republicans. She also called on Republican leaders to bring the proposed Constitutional Amendment to a vote this fall in the U.S. Congress. ..

.. Other potential speakers to present this part of your platform are Republican Senate candidates --- like Tom Coburn in Oklahoma, who advocates the death penalty for doctors; and his colleagues in Arkansas and Illinois, Jim Holt and Alan Keyes, who have likened abortion to terrorism and slavery. The American people should understand the implications of the core belief expressed in this platform. ..

[still_one]

1. why would any pro-choice American be republican?

[noonwitch]

31. If they joined the party prior to 1980, I can understand

In 1980, the religious right took over the party. Prior to that, there were lots of pro-choice republicans and I don't think that the party had an official stand on the issue. Hell, even Bob Dole was at the least, non-committed to a side on the issue when he was Ford's running mate in 1976.

Today's GOP is the party of the rich white men and the american taliban. Lincoln is rolling over in his grave at what his party has degenerated into.

[kskiska]

35. Poppy was pro-choice back then

until he became Reagan's VP.

[kwolf68]

2. Why

Should she be allowed to be involved in a Platform hearing for that party? They are "pro-life" ...

I didn't see many "pro-lifers" speak at the DNC.

[iamjoy]

9. That's The Point

The Republican Party has a Pro-Life Platform, yet many of the highlighted and Prime-Time speakers are Pro-Choice Republicans. This is an attempt to reassure moderates and deceive them about the Republican's true agenda - a war on reproductive freedom.

The Democrats have no such Pro-Life platform which is why they didn't have speakers discussing it. But there are Pro-Life Democrats, including (I believe) some of the delegates.

[democrat_patriot]

11. The Pro-Life party is afraid of losing some members

if they openly run as pro-life.

They are going to splinter - this only helps. Well done I say.

[kwolf68]

23. A lot of those pro-lifers

the non-fundies are Democrats waiting to be courted. That issue is the biggest single issue out there that can turn what is otherwise a very Liberal person to voting with pricks like Bush.

People think we lose big in the South because of guns...That's not it...

[kwolf68]

21. Oh I agree

That the charade is pathetic and needs to be exposed, but allowing this NARAL lady to speak at their hearing doesn't do that.

Then again, the Republicans surely won't have Ahnuld and Guliani speaking on abortion.

[JohnKleeb]

20. actually I believe Ike Shelton who spoke on military issues at the DNC

is pro life.

[SidDithers]

25. As is the rep who introduced Ron Reagan...

Jim Langevin, the rep from Rhode Island.

Sid

[JohnKleeb]

27. thats right

Honestly, I like a lot of the pro life dem reps we got, they're my kind of democrats though I think we disagree on some social and foreign issues, on economic issues, I agree with people like that typically because they tend to be new deal democrats.

[apnu]

3. link is wonky, try this one

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/usnw/20040825/pl_usnw/pro_choice_leader_attends_gop_platform_hearing__request_to_testify_denied__challenges_bush_to_defend_platform_plank_in_prime_ti

[LeftHander]

4. GOP will bury themselves with rotten planks....

As they build a platform on rotten planks the very stability of their party will crumble.

With arrogance and righteousness the GOP will load the party platform with so many far right planks that it will force a mass exodus from the party.

Just like they used to say of the Democrats being too far left....now we can say with all truth the GOP has been driven too far right and is out of touch with the mainstream of America.

A loud and noisy minority that uses fear and intimidation to rule does not make a democracy. That my friends that is fascism.

edit for clarity

[kwolf68]

6. Wha?

Did "pro lifers" get a chance to frame the Democratic Platform? If they didn't, then why are we complaining when the other side restricts their platform to some basic principles?

[poliguru]

8. I think the issue was that she didn't get to speak

I'm not absolutely sure what the Dem Party does. But I'm betting Cavendish didn't have any illusions about the Repubs changing the platform. I think she just wanted 1) to be able to express her opinion, and 2) challenge the Repubs to make their platform more public. It's kind of deceptive to have such a strong pro-life platform and then to shove pro-choicers out in front as a public face. I think that was her point.

[kwolf68]

12. I will say

That a constitutional amendment to outlaw abortion entirely is about the most ludicrous things I have ever read.

I think Cavendish is being naive if she thinks her view will get any play in the RNC.

Outside of that inane amendment, I have no problems with the parties keeping certain issues grounded to what they believe the party should be.

[LeftHander]

22. Exactly....my point....

We will see the most narrowly focused show of intolerance, exclusivness ever at the GOP convention this year.

They will fill the platform with planks that include

A marriage amendment,
A anti-abortion amendment
They will support expansion of energy exploration
Big tax cuts,
Repeal of the Estate Tax
Christian Values Act - or something like it that will allow the Ten Commandments, the Bible and creationism to be crammed down our throats.

[kwolf68]

24. Then it must be exposed

I thought our platform was too jingoistic. I thought it was too pro-war. It's putting on a "happy face" for the moderates out there.

I am 100% anti-war...I believe it is the scourge of mankind...I think every nickel we spend on it is pissing away our future...BUT BUT BUT...For the good our our party and the country I promoted the overt nationalistic tendencies of our convention.

Did "we" also snow the people? Hell, we came to the people and said basically, "MORE FOR WAR"...I heard nothing except Dennis Kucinich that hinted at getting control of the military industrial complex....We put on a dog and pony show and so are the Repukes.

Of course, it's harder to call us out on it, because if the Repukes called our Convention out for being too "pro-war" then they would have to say, "well, they really are pro-peace" which would have been a fine fact to illuminate to the people.

I rambled in this post and I apologize...at work

[Demoiselle]

10. Pro life Dems have had plenty of opportunities to speak their minds

...as to why we should object when the Republicans refuse to hear opposing views...the reason is that their official party line is appallingly wrong and contrary to good science and our Constitution.

[kwolf68]

15. Good science?

What's that mean?

I admit concerning the constitution it's a joke, but I have seen no compromise on this issue from the left either.

The Repukes want women to carry babies to term even if it places their lives in danger.

The Dems want abortion to be available as a basic form of birth control under the guise of "controlling my own body."

The Science? What does science have to say about this?

[poliguru]

28. Please don't use that overwrought line

"abortion as birth control" - that is ridiculous!

NO ONE - not one woman uses abortion as birth control. Women who get repeated abortions and don't use birth control are labeled as such. But I guarantee, not one of them is thinking, "Hey, who cares - I'll just get an abortion!" Women who do this either have no clue about birth control or are misinformed about it, are misinformed about how one gets pregnant, have no health insurance (or, at least none that will cover birth control), have partners that refuse to use condoms, etc. etc. etc. And if you find it hard to believe, trust me, I work in an inner city school, and the kids are getting pregnant all the time. When you talk to them about it, one of the above reasons always comes up. Half the time, they got their misinformation from their parents.

Interestingly, the "face" on the "abortion as birth control" line is that of a poor black woman. But black women, particularly poor black women, are MUCH less likely to seek an abortion than middle to upper class white women. It's a racist and sexist line that has no basis in fact.

[Demoiselle]

33. Thank you, poligoru

There are so many facets to what I called, probably simplistically, bad science...from a faith based definition of "Life" to a terrible lack of education that leaves young vulnerable women with no power over their own lives.

[wicket]

5. Big tent MY ASS

:nuke:

[kwolf68]

7. Big Tent?

Yea I know...I got tired of seeing all those pro-lifers at the DNC. Come on guys...

The Republicans are evil personified, but not because they choose to maintain certain perspectives within their platform. The Dems do it to.

[wicket]

13. This wasn't the RNC, it was a party platform hearing

Pro-life Dems get plenty of chances to air their views :shrug:

[kwolf68]

18. Please explain

How do we know this? Did pro-lifer Dems get a chance to speak at the platform hearing of the DNC? If so, YES...The Repukes are wrong.

(for the record: I am neither...I think both sides are full of shit)

[SidDithers]

26. How can you be neither pro choice nor pro life?

What's left?

Sid

[KAZ]

17. It is precisely because of their "certain perspectives".

I guess it would have been good idea to have anti-abolitionists help frame the Repub platform in 1860. I mean, just to be fair. /sarcasm

Sorry, they're wrong, we're right.

[TahitiNut]

14. 'Choice' is a privilege of the wealthy ("ownership class")

When outlawed in the Fascist States of America, the wealthy will merely send their unwillingly-pregnant to Switzerland or any other country where safe and secure abortions are available.

The GOP wealthy view 'rights' as entitlements which only they 'deserve.'

[kwolf68]

19. Completely different issue

That goes for every damn thing...not just abortions.

If rich GOPers are getting abortions then they are the lowest of hypocritical pond shit.

[antigop]

16. Stop it! Stop it! Stop it right now! The GOP IS NOT PRO-LIFE

So stop saying that.

They are not pro-life because they don't support the LIVING members of the poor and middle class.

Repeat after me.

THEY ARE NOT PRO-LIFE.
THEY ARE NOT PRO-LIFE.
THEY ARE NOT PRO-LIFE.

[loudsue]

30. THANK YOU - THANK YOU -THANK YOU antigop!!!!!

I have read through this ENTIRE thread with steam coming out my ears... even supposed "in the know" DUers have been drinking the "pro-life" kool-aid. Repuke spin-machine misnomers for ANTI-CHOICE fascists, NOT "pro" life anything!!

They are ANTI-choice ANTI-abortion ANTI-freedom ANTI-women's rights ANTI-LIFE!!! They kill dissidents, they kill our soldiers, they kill innocent Iraqis and Afghanis, they kill retarded inmates, they kill old people by withholding adequate funds for medicines, they kill our environment, they kill whales by blowing up bombs in the ocean, they kill forests and wilderness areas....they are ANTI-LIFE!!! THEY ARE PRO-MONEY FOR THEMSELVES, AND PRO-CHEAP LABOR FOR CORPORATIONS!!!

Whomever controls the spin ...WINS!!! There is NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING "pro-life" about repukes!!!!! NOTHING!!

PERIOD!!

:kick::kick::kick::kick:

[yellerpup]

29. Leading cause of death in women pre Roe v. Wade

in age groups 18-54 years was complications from illegal abortions. Gagging right to choose advocates is no answer. Why so much sympathy for unwanted fetuses but no sympathy for orphans?

[hughee99]

34. I had always thought

the leading cause of death for that demo (before and after Roe v. Wade) was automobile accidents... I learn something new every day here at the DU.

[EST]

32. Why, oh why

Do we persist in doing the thugs' blasted work for them?

Now is the time to stop telling republican lies defined by the champion prevaricators of all time. They are NOT PRO-LIFE, Dammit!!
Their platform is anti-abortion and nothing else. These indomitable liars are anything but pro-life! They kill everything in sight, including our precious children and grandchildren. Here in Illinois, every dang fish-able body of water has a 'don't eat the fish' warning because of mercury poisoning brought on by these bastards' rolling back of pollution controls for their money masters.

They deliberately and with malice arranged for the assassination of hundreds of our fellow Americans and thousands of other world citizens. Witness Iraq.

One hundred ninety thousand family members die every year by mistake in our hospitals and these kindergarten truants try to tie our hands so we can't attempt to stop it.

They simply adore the death penalty and do their damnedest to prevent any attempt bring any scrutiny of those stupid, murderous decisions.

I could go on and on, but I will stop here with one final angry observation-- If anyone in any party can show me any consistent policy of being remotely pro-dammit-life by these murder-happy thugs, I will kiss your naked ass in any mall in this country and give you an hour to draw a crowd. Lets stop pansying around and tell the truth!

[David Zephyr]

36. Elizabeth Cavendish is Something Else.

:toast: