Joe Biden: Life Begins At Conception

Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr., the Democratic nominee for vice president, departed Sunday from party doctrine on abortion rights, declaring that as a Catholic, he believes life begins at conception.

While Mr. Biden's views may not be new to Democrats in his circle, his comments, in an interview on "Meet the Press" on NBC, came at a time when his party is confronted with a new face: Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican vice-presidential nominee, whose anti-abortion stance and decision to give birth just five months ago to a baby with Down syndrome have revved up the conservative base of her party.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[OhReallySheSaid]

It doesn't take rocket science or an analysis that it's something "being above my pay grade" to know when every teenage boy who goes to a 7-11 and buys his first 3 pack of condoms knows about when life begins.

This is the kind of disingenuousness that sinks Democratic campaigns and plays into the hands of our opponents.

[PaulTe]

If Senator biden believes life begins at conception, then does his statement not imply that he believes abortion is murder? If he believes abortion is murder, then should he not want the government to allow it?

[PaulTe]

If Senator Biden believes that human life begins at conception, then does that statement not imply he believes abortion is murder? If he believes abortion is murder, then should he want government to allow it?

[whit4brains]

I'm personally glad he stated his opinion. What else could he have done...lied? I like that he expressed that it was his choice to believe that just as it is mine (or yours) to disagree. That is what choice is all about. Letting the individual, not the government, make the choice that goes with that individual's personal beliefs.

[Tambulei]

That's fine. Better than Ms. Pelosi. I think she said that life begins at misconception.

[RexTC]

It is now becoming increasingly clear that Obama's selection of Biden as his running mate was a poor one. Dems to Obama: dump this political hack, and BEG Hillary Clinton to join you.

[BaxterJ]

This isn't surprising and it's nice to see someone separating his personal beliefs from taking away choice.
http://www.entertonement.com/collections/2963/Joe-Biden-On-Religion-And-Abortion

[AdultFilmLegend]

Is it true that Grandma McCain wants to donate some of her wonderful hair to Joe's next set of plugs? I read that somewhere. It's really nice of her if that is true.

[DefeatedAnOfficer]

I thought that was a marvelous and pretty old-school Catholic answer (well... I base that on all the old-school Catholics in my family). Many of us are pro-life for ourselves personally but would not deny the right to an abortion to the rest of the country. I'm glad he stated it flat-out and made a clear demarcation of church and state. God bless you Joe.

[Smirk]

Amen. BTW, what's the story behind your user name?

[NielsH]

My personal belief is that life started a couple of billion years ago and all of which we call nature is a continuation of that. I don't consider a zygote more alive than either an ovum or a sperm cell.

What does that have to do with politics?

Just as much as anybody else's perception of life.

[caywen]

Once again, Joe shows how ready he is to lead.

Palin needs a week to prep for a simple interview.

Biden just goes in and holds his own in a tough, tough line of questions.

Who would you rather be second in command? When a crisis hits, the President won't get 7 days to learn up on the who what when where why. Obama knows it, and Joe lives it. McCain will just let his temper flare and order a military strike, and Palin would start hitting Wikipedia.

I'll take Joe 7 days a week and twice on Sunday.

[ninthlevelmonk]

I'm not quite sure he did depart from party doctrine. What he said was that he personally believed life begins at conception, but because the issue is not known with certainty and hotly debated even within the Catholic Church (he mentioned Thomas Aquinas), lawmakers should not legislate their own personal, religious beliefs but rather let individuals decide for themselves. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that the essence of the pro-choice position?

[Smirk]

As I understand it, yes. And on a similar note, the article refers to the candidates being asked when life begins during the Saddleback event. But, if memory serves, the question wasn't when life begins but at what point civil rights are acquired. It struck me at the time because it wasn't a question I had never heard.

[HoneyLouise]

I also am Catholic. I believe that abortion is wrong, but that belief is based on faith. It is a religious issue. Our Constitution decrees separation of church and state. There are many Democrats who feel abortion is wrong, but I don't think it should be outlawed. I would never have one, but I don't feel my personal religious belief should be forced on anyone. I understand that there are people who feel that the cluster of cells is not yet considered "a child" --

[Smirk]

I agree. In my experience, there are many individuals--both Democrats and Republicans--who would not have an abortion but don't want to outlaw it for everyone else. And for the record, I've met and know people who favor reproductive rights, but I've never met anyone who's pro-abortion.

[MrsKC]

The words "separation of Church and State" are no where in our Constitution. Many people have abused that phrase in order to keep God and religion out of their lives.
I personally believe that abortion is murder. By the time most women find out that they are pregnant, the unborn child already has a beating heart. I don't believe we should have the right to take the life of an innocent human being.

[Huffo]

Three of the 4 people that make up the President/Vice President of the major parties' nominees believe that life begins at conception. Senator Obama is the only one who won't show his hand. My question is that if the Dems are so worry about Governor Palin running the country if Sentor McCain becomes indisposed what happens to the Democratic position on abortion if Senator Obama becomes President and becomes indisposed. Will Vice President Biden rule with his head or his heart on the abortion issue?

[exploder98]

You left out the second part of his statement, where he said that it's not the government's place to reconcile differences in opinion about when life begins, and therefore policy-wise, he's pro-choice. Nice shot with the headline though!

[neurologymatters]

I watched Senator Biden today. The article declines to mention Senator Biden's acceptance of other people's views. Unlike Gov. Palin, Senator Biden does not impose his religious views on others. Tom Brokaw was downright rude to Senator Biden. Senator Biden is ready for running the country. The Republican candidates are not.

[Zenomi]

You are exactly right and thanks for mentioning it. He made it perfectly clear. I was very impressed with how he answered the question. It was honest.

[Smirk]

Brokaw was being jerk. But then again, Biden can take it.