Right goes after Obama on abortion

Posted: Monday, July 07, 2008 10:24 AM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
CBN's Brody reports on an effort by The Christian Defense Coalition, hitting Obama on abortion. It labels Obama "the abortion President" and uses and image that is sure to offend -- it's a depiction of a black "Uncle Sam," saying, "I want you to pay for abortions."

"Senator Obama talks about bringing hope, faith and change to American politics. We now see this is all just political 'doublespeak,'" the group's director, the Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, per Brody. "One of his top priorities as President would be protecting abortion rights and even expanding them. If elected, Senator Obama would become 'The Abortion President,' with the most extremist policies on abortion of any President in history."

He continues, "The Christian Defense Coalition will be working diligently over the next 5 months before the November elections to educate people of faith, especially Catholics, that Barack Obama wants them to pay for abortions. This is not a candidate who is concerned about social justice, hope and equality. Rather, this is candidate who will continue the violence and pain of abortion and refuse to end this tragic war against America's women and children."

Brody: "Some of these pro-life groups look at the polling and find that many Americans either think Obama is either pro-life or they’re not sure. This campaign is an attempt to set the record straight. Don't think for a minute this is one 'fringe" group. This effort represents the broader feelings with many conservative Evangelical groups.

"This is Obama’s challenge with Evangelicals. He can talk about the social justice issues all he wants and yes, it resonates to a certain extent but unless he moves on abortion (not likely) he’ll have a problem. If he shows some support for parental notification laws or the annual fetal pain bill that moves through Congress then that will help insulate him to a degree on the extremist abortion tag."

The group will hold a news conference on Capitol Hill tomorrow.

*** UPDATE *** The Obama campaign responds: “Barack Obama understands that the best way to reduce the need for abortions is to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies," Obama spokesman Hari Sevugan said. "He is committed to commonsense solutions to achieve that objective and to changing the tone of the discourse which for too long has devolved into false and negative attacks such as this that do nothing to accomplish that goal."

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Comments

Um, are they serious? They're actually spending money to let people know the Democratic nominee is pro-choice?

That's got to rank up there with one of the all-time ways to know the Republicans have nothing left to say.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:34 AM)

I wonder how many of these self-righteous pro-lifers have ever adopted a child.

Linda. Boston, MA (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:34 AM)

Obama is on the fringe on a lot of things. He changes his positions on real issues more often than he changes his socks. This man must not be president. Too dangerous by half.

dk in tn (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:36 AM)

Isn't the Pro-Life movement a war against the rights of women?

Jay, Indiana (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:36 AM)

Religious bigotry meets racial bigotry. No surprise here.

Joe Don, Topeka, KS (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:37 AM)

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/maps/obama_vs_mccain/

McCain is the under dog, it has nothing to do with being "under"...

BJ, CA (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:38 AM)

Good. Expose BO for what he is. No more passes. This man must have a backache from all the flips he's doing.

BarACK and FORTH (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:39 AM)

Ohh First read .. WHAT A SHOCKER !

You mean that the Far Right has attacked the presumptive democrat nominee over his pro-choice views !
SHOCKING !

So what else is new !

Steve NewYork NY (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:39 AM)

Wow. That IS offensive.

http://thepajamapundit.com/

the Pajama Pundit (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:40 AM)

So the Fanatical Christian Right wants to challenge Obama on abortion? Thats ok. But why is race injected into argument? Is this the first salvo of race based attacks?

Scott LaRoque (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:41 AM)

Obama has a pretty skimpy voting resume, but this much is clear. He's a 100% pro-death voter when it comes to abortion.

H. Helen Morrison, Plano Texas (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:42 AM)

Just what the hell is Christian or Evangelical about a black Uncle Sam calling out Obama on choice???? Let me guess---all these backers of this ad are narrow minded men in their 50's stomping their feet 'cause they are becoming more and more irrevelant in this election cycle. I have a great idea: start and implement a plan to take care of the unwanted/ neglected/abused children and struggling mothers-----I guarantee you that the problem of agonizing choice will be GREATLY reduced, if not eliminated.

laughaday (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:43 AM)

The "Christian Defense Coalition" group is a bunch of hypocrites! The Supreme Court allows for 1st trimester abortions. If this coalition is so concerned about babies, why haven't they spent their money where there mouth is and go after state laws on 2nd and 3rd term abortions? This can be done, but it has not been done by these misguided fanatics.
This is just a branch off the republican party to keep people voting on a wedge issue.
Not buying it at all!

Republicans support abortion by their inaction over 25 years (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:43 AM)

Obama wants to work this key issue with all parties involved....a refreshing way to approach such moral issues...It's in his book...
McRut has to pander to the GOP base or risk losing more money in the process....

BJ, CA (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:43 AM)

Simply...OBAMA 08....from a believer in a woman's right to choose and control her own body!!!!!

Jen, MI (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:43 AM)

Actuallly, Obama's position on abortion makes a lot of sense. The conservative evalgelicals may wish to attack his position because with thought, there can be "shades of gray".

Since Chuck Todd is analyzing every word Obama speaks, I wonder if he will give a Buchannan type analysis (as he did on Morning Joe today). Or just let the facts speak for themselves. MSNBC and First read still needs to give less commentary and analysis and focus on facts.

Ron Indiana (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:43 AM)

Yes, let's continue to wedge the election with your single issue, while unwed mothers continue to have unwanted children that they refuse to nurture and care for, so when they are pre-teens they can perpetuate the vicious cycle. And let's continue to pretend that every abortion foe has adopted at least one or two children from the over burdened system; because they fully intend to put their 'money' where their mouths are.

This idea that we can only teach abstinence, and when that fails we look to everyone else to come up with a plan is ludicrous. Abstinence is not working for the GAY Republican congressional 'leader' and it isn't working for teenagers. When will these people grow up and have an adult conversaton about EDUCATION?

My issue with your issue is that you are willing to make exceptions for rape or incest. How do you LEGISLATE that? Pedophiles go free, babies have babies, welfare is a socialist program and here we are four years later with the Republicans having an opportunity to do something about it, and they didn't. And you know why? Because it is a political hot bed that they do not have the courage to immerse in.

This is an issue that will never be resolved with the two polar opposite factions.

Keep your LAWS off my body. The only way I could ever even conceive of adjusting my position is when women are the majority in both the house and senate.

I am sick and tired of rabid men attempting to legislate my body and my rights. Grow a pair and stand down, you 'faith based' idiots. I am quite certain Jesus would want every child that is born to have a loving, nurturing home with food, clothing, spiritual and medical needs met. Since our Republican 'friends' don't feel that is worthy legislation, they can just butt out of the 'population control' debate.

I don't think I could personally have an abortion; but I will be g-d damned if I will sit idly by while some pompous male morons attempts to pass a law preventing it. That is between the woman, her doctor and her spiritual guidance and has NO place in this election or in politics.

I want your friggin' non-profit pulled, you political hack.

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:43 AM)

Republicans support abortion by their inaction over 25 years (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:43 AM)

Hehe...the gloves are off now...it won't be long before some group on the right run by charlie black will start the ads scaring white people into thinking the black man is coming for their daughters and wives...it will be subtle but will have the code words or visions...

Rick, NC (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:43 AM)

I fully understand the CDC advocating for their cause. But what IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT IS HOLY, is that Black Uncle Sam about?

It is the groups 'tell'. If you hate abortion, what difference does the color of the skin of those providing abortions make?

It's like the tempered, more managed anger over the bombings in Oklahoma, versus those on 9/11. Terror is terror, but some Americans react to some acts of terror, though equally murderous, and horrific, with a more benign reponse.

It is an attitude that I find bigoted, racist, supremely hypocritical, and sick.

donna (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:44 AM)

The only time Obama is for the death penalty is when it comes to abortion.

Pepsie Chamain (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:45 AM)

You know these conservative Evangelical groups give religion a bad name. The tone of them using a black uncle same is very bad to know this is coming from people that supposedly want to save our souls, and considering that Obama is only half black. You know the problem is that each group of people think that politics are tailor made for them and not for all Americans. Just because I am a Christian does not mean that everyone else has to be. I would like to see as many as possible but that is not the job of our government. The problem with eangelical groups is the problem with most churchs they get hung up on man made doctrine.

Brian M. De. (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:45 AM)

Obama's position on abortion is so far left it's left of me, and I'm pro-choice. I have been saying for weeks that he's going to backtrack on his abortion position, just like he's done on everything else. Obama's got as much 'integrity' as Mitt Romney without the business expertise, and the only thing he 'changes' is his positions.

Carole, Ft. Lauderdale (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:46 AM)

Welcome back Jerry, corpus christi texas.

We missed you.

donna (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:46 AM)

Where do you get all this vitriol? Obama has rarely talked about abortion except to say he's for programs that make abortion unnecessary. He has said he does not consider "mental health" a reason for late term (partial birth) abortion.

Sharon, Antioch, TN (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:47 AM)

The christian right sure shows some very unchristianlike tendencies.

They speak ill of others and don't have a very charitable nature themselves as evidenced by their grand monuments to themselves rather than true charity and giving

Ralph Malph, Madison (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:47 AM)

How many of these people help the poor babies? How many of them have adopted the babies? These people just talk about abortions and do not offer any help to thee pregnant women. Also most of these people are men and as a man I do not feel that we are qualified to speak about abortion. Men could speak with authority about abortion if they know and experience how it feels to be pregnant. Most men think that iemt is an easy decision for women to have abortion. As a man we need to leave this to the women. Also if you have not adopted or take care of pregnant women please keep your abortion opposition to yourself. How many of them are willing to adopt African American babies? They might go out of the country to adopt other kids and preach against abortion here. Just a whole hunch of hypocrites!!!!!

Sode, Saint Louis, Missouri (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:47 AM)

Christians tell lies? No wounder so many people have left the Church. The social justice churchs' get in tax exempt status is equivocal to taxes given them.

What big clerical hypocrictics? Minds and bodies should come together.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:48 AM)

oh man! This is not sounds good. Everybody is coming after Obama this week!!

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Obama For President!! (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:48 AM)

Where are those darn lions when you need a christian eaten anyway?

Pat from the 700 (person) club (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:48 AM)

Wow. I thought someone said that there wasn't any Republican 527s. The second that they went with the Black Uncle Sam exposed their true malicious intent. That's pure racebaiting right there. It is funny how everyone wants to portray Sen. Obama as some angry Black militant who is going to destroy America and now this foolish group wants to add in the "eat your babies" part. Barack Obama is a man of faith and he is able to display his faith with much more ease than McCain--a man with hardly any faith at all. Most evangelicals are wary of McCain and they know that he hasn't changed overnight. They don't trust him. A few fringe kooks like Mahoney are not going to be able to sway the numbers necessary to defeat Obama. These people were unprepared to take on Obama and they will continue to hurl stupid attacks like this until something sticks. This race is becoming more absurd by the day.

C.K. Steele Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:48 AM)

Hey, it's wedge issue season - time to decorate your wedgie trees I guess.

Please, please, please tell me that people are going to be smarter this time around - someone else being gay or someone else making a decision about their body is not what you should vote on. We have 2 wars, and an economy in the basement - digging it's way to China. Come on, be smarter in 2008!!!

Kate, Atlanta (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:49 AM)

What's John McCain view? Everything that is happening to our country is soley based on a view about abortion?

If people are only concern about that and nothing else. Then they maybe Republicans anyway.

The government can spend Billions on a war that shouldn't be fought and kills thousands.

But, how dare they think about spending money for a 15 old girl to get an abortion because she got rape.

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:49 AM)

Ah, the "Christian" form of Swift Boat Veterans Against Kerry. Somebody better tell the "Christians" how most Swift Boat Veterans now feel about the association of their honorable name with a campaign smear tactic. Hey, Rev. Mahoney, work for the Republicans if you wish, but don't drag God's name into the mud.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:50 AM)

Christian Defense Coalition - sick bunch of people. Narrow-minded folks who would love to tell the rest of the world how to live, according to their standards. There is no problem being against abortion as there is no problem supporting a woman's right to choose. But when one side or the other starts using Ads or images as the Coalition's "Black" Uncle Sam saying I want you to start paying for abortions, then that is sick.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:50 AM)

How stupid is this? Who cares, Obama is for a woman’s right to choose PERIOD!
This is nonsense and it is okay to go to war and lose thousands, but if a woman wants to choose; she can’t. These religious folks are nuts.
So if a woman can’t have a place for safe abortion, I guess it will be back to back allies and illegal dangerous methods. I am so sick of this subject. Again, if the holier than thou have an opinion they should keep the state’s business out of it. How can you tell someone what to do with their bodies?
These church people were not outraged with Bush sending Service Members to their death and right now I am not concerned with this drama.

Michelle Zee (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:51 AM)

Clara,

Nope wasn't me. The only candy in my eye is Obama, Edwards, and believe it or not Biden. I've had a cruch on him since The Hill, and Thomas show!

donna (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:52 AM)

Whats the next ad about? A black man impregnating your white daughter and making her have an abortion?

Scott LaRoque (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:53 AM)

I look forward to religious dialog and community support that involves common sense.

Babies that cannot be cared for properly with love and care should not be born. The government at this point is not making it easy for anyone that gets into this unfortunate situation—so these folks need to get real and shut up.

Obama is PRO-CHOICE. Now every knows it.

Andrea, New York City (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:56 AM)

Clara Kansas City MO - I am sick and tired of rabid men attempting to legislate my body and my rights.

So, cross your legs.

Gary Halverson, Iowa City, Iowa (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:56 AM)

Evangelicals need to get over it.

Abortion has no direct reference in the Bible. Why? Because at the time of the Old Testament and Jesus, infant mortality was high. If a child reached the age of five years of age, he or she was then considered of value. Before then, it was a roll of the dice. We have a much higher regard for children today because infant mortality is much lower.

Early (Roman Catholic) Christians then wrote scripture against abortion for a different reason: passively increasing the number of Christians. It is well known that children growing up with a religious orientation generally keep that orientation througout their lifetimes and will, in turn, pass that on to their children. Large families mean an exponential increase in numbers of parishoners. The early Christians were against birth control for the very same reason.

This issue does not belong in politics but in the home. There are circumstances where it would be wrong to outlaw the practice completely and I have seem the negative effects of giving up a child for adoption (severe clinical depression, an obsesson with learning what the child is doing now constantly for 28 straight years, nervous breakdowns) and on the other side also know people who have no regrets after abortion resulting from rape. Morally it should be a last choice, but taking that choice away is exceptionally wrong.

Democrat (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:56 AM)

More big republican government, telling women that they can only get medical treatment if the BTI's (bible thumping idiots)approve it. The time is now people, let us end the scourge of conservatism based on religion and move this country forward.

Marty in KC (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:58 AM)

How about focusing on an abortion reduction plan? No one, Pro-choice or Pro-life, likes abortion.

There is certainly enough disagreement to go around. Let's focus on what we can all agree on... a reduction in abortions would be a good thing and how can we get there within framework of current laws and the constitution?

http://laststopmidwest.blogspot.com

James, Wichita, KS (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:58 AM)

Welcome back Jerry, corpus christi texas.

We missed you.
donna (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:46 AM)
----------------------------------------------------
Like a viral rash that you just can't shake...

GP Chicago (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 10:59 AM)

Okay. So, let's support a candidate who supports a war that has ended over 4,000 American lives, and is all for risking thousands more with no clear definiton of what "victory" is. Onward "Christian" Soldier.

LocoLima, Beaverton, OR (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 11:01 AM)

*Yawn*

More distractions.

The fear machine can make Uncle Sam any color they want. Doesn't change a thing. Nice try though.

P.S. Nobody likes abortion . . . but nobody likes the government trying to legislate how people use their reproductive organs either. Once again, how does this issue improve the economy or make us safer? Oh yeah, it doesn't.

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 11:01 AM)

I don't think this image is offensive. It's not a "black Uncle Sam" as First Read reports. It's Obama dressed as Uncle Sam. There's a big difference there and it's irresponsible for MSNBC to try to fan flames.

Matt, PA (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 11:03 AM)

This is really the ugly side of politics. It is the sort of advertisement that turns people cynical and makes them stop caring about the political process. When you're up against this kind of stuff, one small vote hardly seems like it will make a difference.

I hope the Obama campaign will remain strong and positive and inspiring in the face of this sort of attack. It is the campaign's only hope if it wants to retain the young, fired-up-and-ready-to-go primary voter.

What a slap in the face this is after such a positive 4th of july weekend for America's families.

http://midwestmoms.blogspot.com

Midwest Mom, Illiana (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 11:04 AM)

I think that is an issue that they should keep quiet on...the strategy seems to be if we throw enough dirt some of it will stick... http://www.enewsreference.com

eNews Reference (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 11:05 AM)

MSNBC, are you going to make John McCain's talking points on this too? Your reporters are becoming a joke, do you see FOX NEWS making Obama's talking points?

Sunshine, Peoria IL (Sent Monday, July 07, 2008 11:05 AM)

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