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

[clevelandchick]

My sister, who was on the fence because her husband kept prodding her to 'vote their pocketbook', called me this morning after watching the debate with her husband last night. She told me what she told her husband; 'there is no way I can vote for that man (McCain) after what he said about a woman's right to choose and how he dismissed the health of the mother'. She told her husband that she didn't care if they had to pay more taxes because their daughter's lives were worth it.

I reassured her that under Obama's tax plan the most they would pay is $125.00 more in taxes and if her husband wanted me to write him a check (they are a lot wealthier than I) for that amount I would. She laughed but I'm serious.

McCain really hurt himself with independents and women last night. Most of the country supports abortion in cases of rape, incest, and the life/health of the mother. That McCain doesn't, puts him well out of the mainstream.

[YesIAgree]

1989, age 37, all day "morning sickness" every day for 3 months. Ultrasound and amniocentesis. Doctor said we're not going to get a heartbeat in the next couple months. Therapeutic abortion. For my "health" and my family, my two girls who were 8 and 10 years old. They didn't need a mom who was sick every day waiting for her baby to die inside of her. Thank you, America, for allowing me the freedom to decide what to do and make the decision with the counsel of doctors and family. In 2004, my daughter was 5 1/2 months pregnant and the baby was born premature. The doctor said 50% survive and of that 50%, 25% are healthy and normal. Some other family members suggested letting nature take its course, but my daughter and son-in-law told the doctors to do everything possible to help my little 1 lb. 7 oz. grandson survive. He just turned 4 years old; he's healthy and normal, but would have been loved either way. Thank you again, America, for allowing the parents the freedom to decide what to do and make the decision with the help of doctors and family. This election is important, not only because of Wall Street, but because of the Supreme Court and FREEDOM!

[Missteek]

Thank you for sharing your stories. Both show the incredible decisions that women and their families make in the face of medical crises. Like Obama said, no one is PRO-abortion but thank God that here, now, in the US, we still have that choice and the freedom to make it.

Glad to hear your grandson is doing well. I am sure he is the apple of your eye.

[athenasword]

Thanks for that story. I have been posting and reading on this thread since last night... and I am so touched by every single personal story on this thread for all 28 pages. No one wants or likes abortion. It is a painful thing to contemplat­e.... but the freedom to make decisions, with the counsel of doctors and family is all we are asking for.

[iamafanofmicah]

What I'mafanofYesIAgree does not also mention is that a year after the abortion she had a perfectly healthy child whom we (the family) were thrilled to welcome with open arms. Had she not made her first choice, she proably would not have had a chance to make the second. So you see one life was gone, but another life was enabled thru the choice she made.

[UpstateNY]

McCain doesn't understand or appreciate women's concerns.

But that was obvious when he chose Sarah Palin as VP. Palin is exactly who a man who thinks women are 'eye candy' would chose if he had to chose a woman for anything. There are plenty of smart Republican women he could have gone to but he thinks women are stupid so Palin's stupidity doesn't concern him. He never thought she was the best person for the (otherwise why did her really want Lieberman) - he thought she was the best woman for the job and he needed a woman to spice up his campaign. And it worked, until the rest of us saw her and listened to her and were simply aghast and ashamed!

[pavoterinde]

NO self -respecting woman would EVER VOTER for this Repub ticket!!! If they did, THEY DO, THEY NEED THEIR HEADS CHECKED.

[sharonh]

Sorry, they have no heads to check if they vote that way. Headless, heartless wonders.

[JaimieIndependent]

iwas pleased with how Obama laid out his position on abortion and it is a view that I know I share along with almost every other woman I have ever met. I have never had a discussion with another woman that thinks that abortion is great but most would like to protect their choice in the decision and the few women who I know that are Pro-Life would not be so cruel as to imply that the health of the mother was a radical concern. I thought that McCain came off as extremely dismissive towards women in all areas of last nights debate but this was by far the most disgusting example.

[abruzzo]

I used to just dislike McCain - not I think I hate him.

Screw Joe the Plumber - I am LINDA the WOMAN

I can't imagine why the media isn't slamming McCain on his "healh" comment and (no) equal pay stance for women - disgusting

[the truth101]

I am going to give everyone on here the real scoop, what nobody wants to say. McCain has gotten beaten a few times in his life. The real point of why McCain is so mad is that I think he thinks that he mioght in fact lose. Honestly it not like hasnt done this before, but it is more to whom he is losing too. He and his racist friends feel that it is utterly impossible for a whit man to be beat in a Presidential race by a half-black man. Do you think for a second tha McCain wants to be known in his circle of friends of being the White Man that got beat by a half Black Man. If you are racist that would be the ultimate slap in the face to you. Since a racist person thinks that minorites are lazy, stupid, violent, and not human. That should be able to help you see why there is so much disgust and resentment on Johnny Boy's face.

[lisakaz2]

I wish the video lasted a few more seconds. I wanted to see what happened to the chart after that air quotes thing sunk in.

[zenlikejen]

They dipped...a­fter listening to that at least 3 times last night (yay for DVR!) I couldn't believe my ears and eyes. It was un-flippin­-believeab­le.....

[athenasword]

Chart took a dive

[zg1968]

Not sure why anyone is surprised. He has always voted to keep women down - and why is it always men telling women how they should live their lives. I don't hear any women dictating to men (or any men dictating to men for that matter).

I was glad Obama got in the point during the debate about the equal pay vote. McCain did not show up for the vote but said he would have voted it down because women "just need more education" in order to get paid equally...­so clueless. I guess we also need a spouse with unlimited resources like he has...

Look how he treats Cindy to see what he thinks of women.

Women - if you vote for McCain make sure you wear your burka to the voting place.

[IslandGyal]

I am glad he did that, since a lot of low information folks and PUMAs think he's pro-choice or even flexible. Last night showed that he's not.

[grizhead63]

If it were one of McCain's daughters whose health was endangered what would he recommend to his family?

[wagthedog1001]

"counseling" "with" "Sarah."

[ExxonMcBushCo]

This would be a good subject for a campaign ad. The Obama team should use this.

[grata2ude]

Anyone outraged by this remark needs to go to all the major MSM outlets and let them know how outrageous this was. This morning not one news program is covering this. They are all playing McCain's I'm not Bush clip like that was the debate winner along with Joe Plumber. Are there any professional journalists out there?

Write and let these so called "journalists" know that women and their health count and McCain should be held accountable for this.

[PoliJunkie]

This was no surprise! I mean look who he presented us with when choosing a VP (female) candidate. Does he view all WOMEN so uninformed? Makes you wonder what century we are in? We women have fought too long to be having to go back in time to a place that was so demeaning. I love my independence and NO the government cannot legislate my womb or that of my daughter's, nieces, granddaughters, etc. BTW, I also want EQUAL pay!

[Enid]

John thinks women do not deserve same pay as men.
His quote THEY NEED MORE TRAINING. You figure out what he is about.

[StateofTaxes]

McCain, you have 19 days left to be more specific on a topic that's way more important to many, than what Joe the(imagin­ary)Plumbe­r thinks; Woman's health care can not be brushed off in a two minute statement, and, one of these: " ". Do you think you could spend some of that time you normally use telling us about YOU, and give a clear and honest answer and explanation of where you really stand on something so important to so many?, Woman do have a vote; you need it, and this "good ole boy" answer doesn't work, and seemed more of a slap in the face and a dismissal to the women and their families who have every right to ask.

[scrzbill]

You did not hear the answer he gave very clearly. He said the pro abortion movement. I have never heard the womans right to choose called that before and its tells me he is a narrow minded man who would do anything or say anything to be president. What a mean spirited statement to ridicule a womans health.

[zenlikejen]

"You did not hear the answer he gave very clearly. He said the pro abortion movement."

Exactly, and I believe that was when (THANKFULLY!) Obama said that he didn't believe *anyone* was "pro abortion".

It's one thing to know that a guy is slowly coming unhinged..­..but it's still a shock to hear someone say some of the things he's said OUT LOUD IN FRONT OF MILLIONS!

[TimeKoder13]

He's a real person actually.

[renoir]

If you want to know who he is, read this:

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/23316912/makebelieve_maverick/print

I believe he DID give us a clear and honest answer about where he stands on women's issues. He doesn't give a damn. It came out of his own mouth and he meant it! His voting record reflect it! What more do you need?