McCain Mockingly Suggests That Concerns For A Mother's Health Are Extreme

The differences of opinion surrounding the issue of access to safe and legal abortion, and a woman's right to choose to have one, have long been a mainstay of political debate. But tonight, I believe, featured a historical moment in that debate, because until tonight, I had never seen the matter of a woman's health given AIR SCARE QUOTES. But that's precisely what John McCain did, sneeringly, as he attempted to portray support for a mother's health as an extreme position, when in fact, it is a mainstream position -- ground that even fervent pro-life individuals often concede.

Reached for comment, Megan Carpentier of womens' issues blog Jezebel had this to say:

It used to be that McCain was leading the charge to reform the Republican platform to include exceptions for the life and health of the mother to their anti-abortion plank. That tonight he declared his own position extreme -- let alone called a woman that chooses her own continued existence over the potential future life of a fetus "extreme" -- is a pretty significant and rather disgusting charge.

I concur, absolutely and without reservation.

[WATCH.]

UPDATE:

Cecile Richards, the president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, weighs in:

"Tonight, John McCain showed he doesn't care about women's health when he described protecting "the health of the woman" as "extreme." John McCain doesn't seem to understand that women's health matters. He blatantly showed that he doesn't trust women to decide what is in the best interest of their own health. Barack Obama, on the other hand, stood up for women's health."

Comments

[StateofTaxes]

It's so hard to believe anyone, especially a woman living in the present, could consider giving their vote for President of the United States to McCain/Palin, after listening not just to McCain's statement and lack of empahy for any women when being faced with such a heart wrenching decision, and his running mate Ms. Palin, and her belief that prevention should not be available for a woman, even in the case of rape or incense~no exceptions. What kind of judgment is that for someone seeking the top office of this Country? Thank God, and help us, if either of them ever should get to the Supreme Court, or be responsible for putting a judge there with their same sense of disregard for the American woman, and those close to them.

[cobraxus]

Republicans want medically safe abortions to be available only for the wealthy(their friends)or the well-connected(their cookie on the side they get pregnant).they're returning to the pre- New Deal economic concept of Privliged Capitalism.Neocons:Leading Us Boldly Into The 19th Century!

[Moshe]

I can think of a lot of reasons John McCain should not be president, but prominent among them is his hot headed, cocky, wise-ass temperament. Despite his age, he displays clear lack of maturity.

Temperament is character, and character matters. Someone that so readily lashes out against others, particularly those that cannot strike back, is not someone you want to give the power of the presidency to. Bullies are a plague on the playground, we don't need one in the Oval Office.

[marasgram18]

In psychology people have a chronological age and an emotional age. With him the two do not match thus the strange outbursts and positions. His emotional age is that of the child he described himself as being as he would get mad at his parents and hold his breath until he turned blue and passed out.

[BaileysMom]

Wow. Just Wow.

In a career littered with moments of great disdain, even contempt, for women this is a low beyond comprehension.

I've never faced this decision myself but a dear friend while expecting her fourh child had so many health issues, doctors warned her it may come down to a choice of her or her child. Thankfully things stabilized and the baby and mother both came through. She later said to me: "I would have had a tough time living with myself if I'd aborted but how could I have left my husband and children without a wife and mother?"

And I agree with Sen. Obama and posters here. NO one is Pro-abortion. I am staunchly Pro-choice. My ideal would be a world with no unwanted/unplanned pregnancies. But even then you'll have times when "the health of the mother" is in jeopardy and abortion needs to be an alternative.

And, slightly off topic, I am continually amazed at people who believe their gun cabinets have a greater right to privacy than my womb.

Oh, and in case you didn't already glean as much Sen. McCain, my "vote" is going to "that one".

[ella52]

"And, slightly off topic, I am continually amazed at people who believe their gun cabinets have a greater right to privacy than my womb."

o i like that phrasing. you could not have said it more perfectly!
Thanks!

[hellinahandbasket415]

I watched that moment last night and thought, "what a prick."

A very close friend of mine is stubbornly pro life. We have lengthy discussions and debates about this..always healthy...and we never fully agree...EXCEPT when mother's health is brought up. If there is any medical concern for the mother, then all bets are off and it is entirely understandable to choose one's own health and life.

Why McCain took this position is so beyond me.

[Myshkin57]

I hate to defend McCain, but I think his comments are being misinterpreted in many places today. He was not implying that there is something not valuable about the health of the mother, but rather that it's almost impossible to make a distinction between something that is for the health of the mother and something that isn't. Do we think that under the heading "health of the mother" we should include things like skin irritation? Moodiness? I don't think we generally think those should go under the heading, but unless it is made more precise what does, you can put almost anything under it.

I'm not supporting McCain's view generally, but I do think he's being misrepresented. Geeez! I'm defending McCain... Now I have to go gouge out my eyes!

[hellinahandbasket415]

I hear ya and I can see the point you're making...but I didn't hear McCain say that...So until I hear him define his stance on what is/is not extreme in regards to a mother's health I have to take his statement at face value.

I'd really like to know what that defnition is for him.

[zg1968]

They were talking about late term abortions. Do you really think a woman will have a late term abortion because she is moody? Let's see, I really want to get around this law and have a late term abortion - hmmmm. I do have eczema, bingo....These procedures are no picnic. If a woman and her doctor are cool with it, I am cool with it too.

I would love to see the statistics on the reasons for late term abortions. From what I've seen, woman after woman has testified before Congress that late term abortions are heart breaking decisions that are made when they have no other choice - either the mother's health is in danger or the child will be born with such deformities that life is extremely difficult/impossible. I really don't see many women having late term abortions because their child is not "perfect" or they didn't feel like using birth control. If that is the case, they would have an early term abortion. And really - if someone is going to have a late term abortion for those lame reasons, perhaps that woman is not the best person to be forced to have a disabled child.

The reality is Republicans talk a good game about taking care of mothers who choose life - then consistently cut benefits for single mothers. And while it is admirable that the McCains have an adopted child, I don't see the long line of people in this country interested in adopting severely

[drumz]

You missed the point that I heard and it is the typical non-answer/deflection that you hear from the right. He was using the health of women as somehow a ploy to get an abortion. Just the fact that he continues to say pro-abortion shows that he is spinning. Nobody is pro-abortion.

[caterpol]

No no and no. Despite your efforts, you have elucidated the absolute reason that this decision should forever remain between a woman and her doctor. Politicians are uniquely unqualified to decide if the mother's health is an issue.

And some, more than others.

[storeyy]

McCain Voted To Cut, Eliminate, Restrict Health Insurance Coverage for Low Income Children and Pregnant Mothers At Least SIX Times.

McCain Voted to Gut the Family and Medical Leave Act.

McCain Voted Against Providing Tax Credits to Small Businesses That Offer Health Insurance To Employees.

McCain Voted Against Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage At Least Twenty-Eight Times.

more at http://www.womenforbarackobama.com/McCain.html#LOCATION9

[marasgram18]

where is the commercial this is very important info please send to the DNC

[CharlesJ]

There are women out there voting for this man? Wow, I am shocked at McCains lack of concern for woman across the board.

[Quotidien]

"health" of a woman....? hmmm

I guess McCain is not interested in receiving the "votes" of women.

[storeyy]

Under the John McCain plan women probably don't deserve a General Practicioner and a Gynocologist. Women's health issues aren't that important to Sen McCain. Let's send him a message on Nov 4th. WOMEN MATTER!

[AlabamianForObama]

I jumped up from the couch when McCain said these comments about "the life of the mother". How dare he say that I can't choose to save my own life if necessary?! I should be able to decide if I want to die and leave my 3 girls motherless, not a 72 year old man who never had to face such a gut wrenching decision. No one is "pro-abortion" , we are "pro-choice"!

No matter what the polls say....we have to get everyone to the polls to VOTE on November 4th! If you can vote early, do so and then help get others to the polls!!!!!!!!!

Obama/Biden '08

[neuron]

Why do men like McCain believe they are experts when it comes to women???

[felixxx999]

Joe the plumber is an expert on woman and he's rich! Did you hear that Joe? Your rich and an expert on women!

[Lakshmi0000]

If McCain really cares for Palin special needs child, McCain should have known the different between Autism ad Down's Syndrome. And Down's syndrome is what's wrong with Palin's child. America get it right this time,please. We have had eight years of silliness

Obama/Biden 2008.

[Sisser]

I didn't get to watch the debate live last night but I did watch it today and this was the last straw. If I wasn't worried about breaking my employer's equipment, I may have thrown the monitor across the room.

I think McCain has seriously gone off his rocker and if he really chose Palin to cater to the women voters then he definitely blew any lead with this "moment"

[beekeeper]

All of these issues revolve around the fact that these 'conservatives' are funny about sex and sexuality and would rather silence anything to do with it...thereby pushing themselves into the closet of shame. Take a look...... Sarah's daughter, Ted Haggard and Larry Craig.

It's unfortunate that they live by fear and shame.

[LemonMeringue]

I know something about this personally. An unplanned pregnancy happened to a young person in my family, despite using birth control. (99% means just that)

She had a baby the whole extended family loves very much. It has been grueling and hard for her and everyone. It is worth it. But what if she did not have that supportive family, who has helped her with time, lawyers, lodging, food, support and education?

She could not have done it. She'd be on welfare, forever. And the guy would be on his merry way.

[LemonMeringue]

P.S. Unless the Republicans get their way, and then she'd be on the street and starving.

[dctackett]

they're the Anti-Life Party... they just need the life around to hate it.

[Softnsweet]

I don't understand why republicans are quick to go to war or instigating war but yet they don't believe in abortions.