Obama On Late Abortion: Mental Distress Doesn't Justify It

WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama says "mental distress" should not qualify as a justification for late-term abortions, a key distinction not embraced by many supporters of abortion rights.

In an interview this week with "Relevant," a Christian magazine, Obama said prohibitions on late-term abortions must contain "a strict, well defined exception for the health of the mother."

Obama then added: "Now, I don't think that 'mental distress' qualifies as the health of the mother. I think it has to be a serious physical issue that arises in pregnancy, where there are real, significant problems to the mother carrying that child to term."

Last year, after the Supreme Court upheld a federal ban on late-term abortions, Obama said he "strongly disagreed" with the ruling because it "dramatically departs form previous precedents safeguarding the health of pregnant women."

The health care exception is crucial to abortion rights advocates and is considered a legal loophole by abortion opponents. By limiting the health exception to a "serious physical issue," Obama set himself apart from other abortion rights proponents.

The official position of NARAL Pro-Choice America, the abortion rights group that endorsed Obama in May, states: "A health exception must also account for the mental health problems that may occur in pregnancy. Severe fetal anomalies, for example, can exact a tremendous emotional toll on a pregnant woman and her family."

The 1973 landmark abortion case, Roe v. Wade, established a right to an abortion, and a concurrent case, Doe v. Bolton, established that medical judgments about the need for an abortion could include physical, emotional and psychological health factors.

"Senator Obama has consistently maintained that laws restricting abortions must contain exceptions for the health and life of the mother," Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor said Thursday. "Obviously, as he stated in the interview, he has consistently believed those exceptions should be clear and limited enough to ensure that they don't undermine the prohibition on late-term abortions."

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Obama's position is similar to that taken by a bipartisan group of senators in 1998 who tried to counter efforts to ban certain late-term abortions with their own legislation. That proposal, which failed, would have banned all late-term abortions except for those that are necessary to protect the physical health of the mother.

In a statement, NARAL Pro-Choice said Obama's magazine interview is consistent with Roe v. Wade.

"Sen. Obama has consistently said he supports the tenets set forth by Roe, and has made strong statements against President Bush's Federal Abortion Ban, which does not have an exception to protect a woman's health," the organization's statement said.

A leading abortion opponent, however, said Obama's rhetoric does not match his voting record and his previously stated views on abortion rights.

David N. O'Steen, the executive director of National Right to Life, said Obama's remarks to the magazine "are either quite disingenuous or they reflect that Obama does not know what he is talking about."

"You cannot believe that abortion should not be allowed for mental health reasons and support Roe v Wade," O'Steen said.

In the interview with Relevant, conducted on Tuesday, Obama also defended his opposition to restrictions on induced abortions where the fetus sometimes survives for short periods. Obama voted against such a bill when he was in the Illinois Senate. He has said he supported a federal version of the law that contained more specific language because he feared the Illinois proposal would have applied to all abortions.

"There was a bill that came up in Illinois that was called the 'Born Alive' bill that purported to require life-saving treatment to such infants. And I did vote against that bill," Obama said Tuesday. "The reason was that there was already a law in place in Illinois that said that you always have to supply life-saving treatment to any infant under any circumstances, and this bill actually was designed to overturn Roe v. Wade, so I didn't think it was going to pass constitutional muster."

Comments

[christieZ]

Obama "Breaks" With Pro-choice Movement? This headline implies that Obama has recently changed his position on abortion. Where is there a change? Once again the headline is misleading and plays into the narrative that he is now flip-flopping on the issues. He has not changed his position, his position is just different than other pro-choice groups. Whys is HuffPo trying to distort Obama's views and turn him into a "flip-flopper"? TALK ABOUT A MSM SMEAR SQUAD. THE HUFFINGTON POST SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF ITS RECENT COVERAGE OF OBAMA; it's no different than Murdoch and his goons. Is the Huffington Post in Rupert Murdoch's employ? I guess you all will do anything for a good story that gets lots of diggs. I noticed that HuffPo took down its story about Obama's switching his position on Iraq. I guess your very ethical editors realized it wasn't going to fly--not when there are about 10 or more quotes of Obama saying exactly what he said yesterday, except months and even an entire year ago. Great going, Arianna and co.

[jonathanu]

Nice post, christieZ...

[amyd]

Right, he touches on this issue of late term abortions in his book Audacity of Hope. He isn't being inconsisitent or running to the right.

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

I like many people only believe in late term abortions in instances of physical health to the mother, rape and incest. Obama has not changed any position on this one. Mental distress sounds like a loophole to me.

[booksnmore4you]

Excepting mental distress simply wholly negates any restriction.

[olivia]

So true. It's far too subjective a "diagnosis."

[olivia]

It is a loophole. And I don't agree about rape and incest. Why is it ok to delay until the third trimester if it's rape or incest?

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

Incest especially should be given consideration for late term abortions. Incest usually involves a minor who tries to hid their pregnancy from people because of shame. Many times girls do not tell adults until their third trimester or don't even know their pregnant. I don't think they should be punished for ignorance and being a victim.

Rape is more subjective but I am more liberal than most on abortion and would give them the option to have later term abortions as well.

But in the case of incest I think it is obvious.

[FredrickBernanke]

How many HPers have ever heard of 'Relevant Magazine?'

That's the mag O granted an interview to.

It's the mag where he enunciated his latest position on abortion. That position is something like, "I don't consider mental distress of the pregnant woman an adequate justification to 3rd semester abortions."

It's part of the so-called reach-out campaign to evangelicals (or as I call it, the religious schtick) of the O election strategy.

I had never heard of this magazine, so I visited its website. From there, under What We Believe, I came away with this gem: "But we do believe. We believe that eternal life and the ONLY true freedom is found in Christ." (emphasis added by me) There are more remarks from the publishers similar in nature to this one on the site.

It's said with a smile by the twenty-somethings that publish the mag.

Does The Candidate believe the same? Do his many supporters here on HP believe the same?

Here's the link to What We Believe from Relevant Mag:

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/misc_beliefs.php

[williamg]

What type of coward thinks that a candidate should only speak to people and organizations that only Huffpost commenters find acceptable?

He is running for President of ALL of the United States of America. Not for President of Fredrick Bernanke.

All these years I thought the Right was the intolerant side -- now I find out that my own side is equally intolerant.

[FredrickBernanke]

Again, that is not what I said or implied.

I think fundamentalist Christian beliefs are anathema to the values of the Democrat Party. I also think those views are a danger to all our liberties.

I won't repeat my other comments above.

He can grant an interview to the official Mag of the KKK, or to the weekly Neo-Nazi Review if he chooses to. They're part of "ALL of the United States of America" too.

But if he pandered to their views just to get elected, I'd comment on that just as I commented on Relevant.

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

Nice try to conflate Obama with the beliefs of the magazine. So to you Obama should only interview with periodicals that he agrees with 100% of the time. Very bad try to bash Obama.

[FredrickBernanke]

I never said anything about granting interviews only to Mags he agrees with 100% of the time: You said that.

I asked the question whether he agrees with the belief system espoused by that Mag.

I also was curious why he would grant an interview to what I think we all would agree is an obscure, narrow-focused publication other than to pander to an audience whose beliefs are anathema to those of the Democrat Party, in particular, and free, in general.

I also disagree with his tepid "pro"-abortion stance.

[hank48188]

The Plan of the DNC and Donna Brazile is get the religious voters, too bad they didn't check out Obama's spirtual Advisors first, Father Mike and Rev. Wright. READ THIS http://www.slate.com/id/2109328

[edva]

Good for Obama. Abortion is, at the VERY least, an undesireable procedure usually made "necessary" by irresponsible people. Not saying it should be outlawed, but strongly discouraged.
Of course, emphasis on "safe sex" not resulting in unwanted pregnancy is part of the real solution, along with some much-needed education in personal responsibility.

[Catharsis]

Right...if deeper issues than those weren't part of the picture.

[laland69]

Obama has stated this country is not liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican. Obama is not liberal or conservative. He looks at the issues and decides each of them based on the merits regardless which side it falls politically. Obama is not a flip flopper. These have always been his beliefs. However, because he is a Democat and is African-American, people made their own assumptions which is not his fault. I think it isgood he is being attacked by liberals and conservatives alike. He warned us that he is going to take positions some of his supporters are not going to agree with but it is what he believes. I support Obama 100%.

[sdskelton03]

I wish what you say is true, but it simply isnt.

A visit to Obamas website yields his positions on several subjects. On most all subjects, he follows the liberal orthodoxy.

[Counterglow]

This particular move to the centre shouldn't be considered in isolation; it appears to be part of a pattern. If that's true, then one has to wonder whether some of the Clinton campaign mavens who delivered such a stunning defeat to their candidate (and who apparently are now with Obama) are now busy poisoning Obama's campaign.

The so-called "centre" has been defined by the right to such an extent that it really doesn't exist in any meaningful way. Pursuit of a "centre" course is simply appeasement of a group that, in the end, will turn on Obama like rabid dogs.

[Catharsis]

"Gentlemen, this simply will not do. Not if we expect to defeat the vampires on their own ground."

-Lucian

[bygollymissmolly]

How is this a move to the center. It is a belief that Obama has held for quite some time. This is just the first time it has come out in this campaign. And I happen to agree with him. Having an abortion in the third trimester is a horrific procedure and should only be done to save the life of the mother. I'm 100% pro choice and that's my opinion too. I don't find it to be a conservative opinion either.

[Catharsis]

OOPS. If you were 100% pro-choice, there would be no restrictions. Try 99%, given that you assert 3rd trimester limits.

And I failed math in 11th grade. POOSHAW

[littleblackcat]

I am pro-choice with exactly the same reservations as Obama. If someone's birth control failed to work and the baby is really unwanted, have it done within the first few weeks. ONLY if the woman's own life is in danger should a late-term abortion be considered. No doctor should introduce this as any solution under any circumstances other than to save the mother's life. Letting a pregnancy continue to 5 - 6 - 7 months and then deciding that it is an inconvenience is heinous. If by that time you have decided you don't want your child, put it up for adoption, since even a 25-week baby is a viable life and someone will give that child the life and love it deserves. Choosing is a WOMAN'S RIGHT, but the good sense to use reliable birth control is also a must. Abortion should be a LAST resort but it should remain safe and legal. A woman goes through enough mental anguish with the choice of having an abortion, it doesn't need to be made worse. When I see the right-to-lifers stepping up to support, educate, and care for the unplanned babies, I'll back down. Until then, pro-choice, with rules.

[Indubio]

I have a much better idea...why don't you and everyone (especially men) who feel as you do leave these sorts of decisions to affected women and their physicians. The government has no business injectiing itself into what should be a personal medical decision and I'm already tired of hearing Obama pander to social conservatives.

[bernj]

You are 1000% right Indubio.

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

So NARAL supports Obama's decision and the anti-abortionist hates it. How is that pandering to the right?

[4wehttam]

Wrong. One aspect is women who abuse the right to abort. Some women have multiple abortions who are on medicaid..............on taxpayers dollars. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO ME. I knew a woman that told me she was on her fourth, FOURTH abortion because she wasn't ready to be a mother yet. FOUR!!!! That is abuse of women's rights, especially those who act responsibly. Barack was talking about "distress" such as anxiety should not be a justification.

[bygollymissmolly]

He is not pandering to social conservatives. This is a stance he has always had. This is just the first you have heard of it.

I agree that having an abortion, for the most part, should be left up to the patient and the doctor. But having an abortion in the 7th or 8th month is at a time when it is a well formed child that could possibly live if born naturally. It is no longer a fetus. I don't think that we, as a society, should condone a woman killing a well formed child because the pregnancy is for some reason an inconvenience to her. I agree that if it is necessary to save the life of the mother it should be done. But for no other reason.

If I were to follow your line of thinking, then that would mean I could just go all the way through the pregnancy and then drown the baby when it was born. After all, that's my choice, and why should anyone be able to say otherwise?

[rzan]

Then most women in this country are social conservatives since they also oppose late term abortions.

[Catharsis]

littleblackcat should consider more deeply and aspire to grow into a distinguished panther!

[olivia]

Kudos.

[Msohio]

I understand his position. If mental distress is the only factor, there could be compounded issues after an abortion. Especially if the mother is unstable and not really comprehending the impact of an abortion.

[Tropiholic]

He's right.

[Indubio]

No he's pandering

[brijit]

Not necessarily. I've held a similar view for years and am not running for anything.

[Catharsis]

Strategic pandering

[nyckingpin]

What's all the fuss about? This is a very pragmatic position to take on late-term abortions. And he still supports Roe vs. Wade and abortion on demand....

And onto a completely unrelated topic........

Happy 4th everyone ;-)

[CranialRectalLoopback]

Have a drink of kool-aid on me.

[williamg]

Yeah, very intelligent response.

[Sportswoman]

I agree. If one cannot decide upon an abortion within the first trimester then she has already made the decision. I believe everything medical is betweena doctor and patient, and the government needs to lay off. That stated, a child of 5 months and beyond can almost always survive outside the womb and
it is essentially a life.

[strifeknot]

That's asinine. Many circumstances can change during the first few months of a pregnancy that might make the woman realize it's best not to continue with it.

[bygollymissmolly]

So you think that it is OK to kill a baby that could possibly survive, if born naturally at that time in it's gestation? You would not consider that to be murder unless it was to save the life of the mother?

How about I decide once the baby is born that's it's best I not have a child. Would you condone my drowning the baby in the bathtub?

[Catharsis]

Klingon Animal!

[Catharsis]

Ah, but if we were as you wish, how would we corral society?

[mamacat]

What is that old saying, "opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one."
Well, here's mine.........
I don't like abortions, but I defend them, up to a point.
That said, once a fetus enters a certain stage of development, for instance the third trimester, it is no longer a fetus.
I am willing to discuss the point, and concede that I am not a trained medical person. Nevertheless, at some point, there is very little difference between a baby that is born and a baby that is almost born. I am totally willing to have compassion for every single mother on the planet, but if we are going to allow a line to be drawn somewhere, then certainly most people can agree that the 3rd trimester is not a good time to allow an abortion. At that point, it is far better to give the baby away than to abort it.

I think we need to have this discussion.

[HumeSkeptic]

What is that old saying, "opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one."
Well, here's mine.........
----------
Ooooh! Clean that thing once in a while, will you?

[MrsPeel]

"That said, once a fetus enters a certain stage of development, for instance the third trimester, it is no longer a fetus."

This statement is medically and legally incorrect. After leaving the embryonic stage, a fetus is that through its gestation. E.g., during labor, the term "fetal distress."

Then we get into perinatal and neonatal...

[Catharsis]

Spoken as someone who hasn't been through it...

[rzan]

If you have been througrh a late-term abortion, then you know that it is no easier than allowing the viable baby to survive. Delivering a dead late term fetus is a delivery in every since. The dead baby must be delivered either vaginally or by C-section.

[Jaybot]

Just wait, soon he'll start itching to bomb Iran...

[bygollymissmolly]

Go away jerk. This subject has nothing to do with Iran.

Your Republican fear is showing and if you are not careful, it might just embarrass you one of these days.

[Catharsis]

You'd know!

[ErinBerin84]

mental distress does not equal mental illness, ding dongs. Another issue that was "conveniently" picked up by the AP in an attempt to get both the left and the right to go after him (though FISA was a huge cop out that pisses me off, I just don't see this as one).

[Catharsis]

Issue was chosen by O for strategic value

[bygollymissmolly]

How was it chosen? He answered a question that was given to him. He did not choose it. If he was going to choose it as an issue, he would call a press conference and announce his views. Answering a question truthfully is not doing something for strategic value.

[jpetaluma]

I've always been prochoice, but late term abortion is really tricky. The fetus could survive outside the womb. There is "life" there. Late term abortion by choice is psychologically devastating. I know.

[olivia]

Then there is the issue of the pain a third-trimester fetus feels. Nobody seems to want to think about that, much less talk about it.

[KaAp]

A fetus has brain function and there is debate in the medical community surrounding IF a fetus feels pain during the beginning of the third trimester ... pain like anything else is subjective ... do not confuse opinion with fact ...
There are VERY few third trimester abortions ... it is more hyperbole from the pro-life crowd wanting to make your daughter and mine resort to coat hangers

[CranialRectalLoopback]

Obama just said he doesn't care about psychological distress. So there you go!

[jpetaluma]

He didn't say he didn't care, he said it's not a good enough reason. There are so many loving families who want to adopt. Third trimester "fetus" are actually babies.

[Indubio]

I love it when I hear people whine about survival of the fetus as if this is all that matters. It isn't because there's more to life than just existence. Once a baby is born there's a whole series of issues that must be addressed not the least of which is who provides a home, funds, and the love it takes to properly raise a child; no adoption isn't always the right option since it often creates as many problems as it solves. The only sure thing about adoption is that it permits a self righteous and hypocritical society to thump itself on the chest. Medical decisions are personal and they should be made by the affected persons and their doctors. I happen to oppose abortion personally but as a man I'll be damned if I tell anyone women how to live her life. When society provides cradle to grave education, decent day care and preschool options, universal health care, retirement with dignity, and most importantly responsible sex education with free contraception perhaps then I'll have patience for those (including Obama) who lament about unnecessary abortions. Until this society re-establishes the social contract with its citizens and until we begun behaving in ways that suggest we possess a level of compassion for the living as opposed to the "potentially living," I have no interest in debating the abortion issue.

[bygollymissmolly]

Ok, so in your view it's ok for someone to kill their child after it is born because the parents can't raise it properly. Nice..

[Jonni Rae]

Well said, Indubio. Why can't the men just leave this issue to the women and their doctors????? What does it really have to do with them at all. When they grow uteruses, they can have an opinion. Until then, keep your opinons off my body!!