Does Palin Believe in "Access to Abortion Services" or Just Take Photos with Groups that Do?

We know Gov. Sarah Palin has some baggage that makes her a pretty risky choice for McCain: she's embroiled in an abuse of power investigation, was for the infamous "bridge to nowhere" before she lied about being against it, is pretty cozy with corrupt Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens, doesn't exactly know what the vice president's job actually is, etc., etc.

But at the end of the day, she is anti-choice to the core, potentially helping McCain pull in huge numbers of voters not sufficiently inspired by his credentials on this, the signature issue of the far right. And it worked perfectly -- right-wing Christian figureheads came out of the woodwork yesterday to praise McCain for his selection of Palin. Even James Dobson, who said he would not vote for McCain "under any circumstances," has come around and is evidently pretty amped about the McCain-Palin ticket. How great.

But I'm confused about what went on in her 2007 meeting with Alaska's Alliance for Reproductive Justice, which "Advocate[s] for access to abortion services and high quality reproductive health care for Alaskan women." That encounter prompted one participant to say, Palin "took the time to talk with us about her own experiences as a working mother, and relayed her support for women's health."

It does look like they were cool with what they heard, no?

(Gov. Palin is in the green long-sleeved number in the middle.)

Paging Dr. Dobson!

Comments

[keepemhonest]

Palin has no CREDENTIALS - forget "Experience."

Interesting how the GOP are twisting the 'experience' word and omitting the "Credential" word.

She has no CREDENTIALS in dealing with:
* ethnic groups (there are none in Alaska)
* foreign policy
* national economics
* national border control
etc.

It will interesting to see if the media, in print & tv, spotlight on Palin's lack of credentials to be a heart beat away from a 72 year old President.

[max]

yup yup yup

[JanetBerns]

Are you pro Palin people really reading this. You can't vote for someone because she's pro life, she will be a heartbeat away from the presidency. That can't be the only reason u vote for her if u love your kids.
I mean a Pro-life Hunter. That's great. It's ok not to have an abortion but the heck with the other mammmals.


http://www.adn.com/sarahpalin/story/511471.html

[MikeLee7125]

Maybe they haven't heard up in Alaska, but here in the lower 48's, if you're "pro-life" you don't attend summits sponsored by Planned Parenthood. Check and see how many times Dobson's attended one.
The fact is this lady isn't just inexperienced, she's unformed. She backed Pat Buchanan in 2000 and endorsed Obama's energy plan little over a month ago. Now this. This shows that's she's never been really challenged on her positions. That's about to change.

[Zeusthunderbolt]

Does anyone have any real time info on how this is playing out with the conservative working class white men, who hunt and fish, specially who might be sexist in addition to being racist?

[Intelligentia]

Some of us really don't give a damn about what they think! Their ignorance is destroying this country, one way or the other. I despise both their racism and sexism. For me, there is no difference between this group and foreign terrorists. They are both interested in destroying American citizens-one because of race, the other because of religion. Our only saviour is when Hispanics become the majority to help change the politcal demographics of this country, as far as congress and law-making goes.

[mdohoney]

Is it possible that McCain has taken on more than he can chew with this one. It is just possible that Sarah is smarter and more headstrong that McSame having graduated with a BS in Journalism and Communications with a minor in Political Science from the Univ. of Idaho.

She was bucking the Republican establishment in Alaska and attempting to root out some corruption. McCain my have some trouble keeping tabs on her. This is liable to get interesting. She is considerably younger and likely brighter than McCain.

The evangelicals may have some trouble with her her membership in the Assembly of God. This may give them some second thoughts. The "holy roller" types are not trusted by the born again evangelical types. They are looked upon as true Christian radicals.

I suspect that Obama/Biden will not assail her qualifications directly but attack the policies that she espouses holding to the high ground. McCains choice of Sarah Palin has tarpedoed his attack that Obama is not ready.

[Ides]

If snake-handling exorcist Bobby Jindal can be a star of the party, Assembly of God people probably shouldn't get a second look.

[creationwaits]

What's the problem? You can support woman's healthcare without supporting abortion rights, and you apparently have no evidence that she did the latter.

Anyways, as I've said before, everyone here should be prolife. We can all agree that killing an innocent human being is wrong, right? And since no one can possibly know for sure when that fetus becomes a human being, you have to err on the side of caution and protect it in case it is.

And please don't give me the typical "you have to tolerate other people's beliefs." Usually yes, but this is not that kind of issue. If someone wrongs you so that you think it is morally right to kill them, and then kill them, you are punished for murder. It doesn't matter how sincere your belief is, we protect life. Same with abortion. Unless you can prove that fetus isn't a human being, it doesn't matter how sincerely you think that it isn't, we play it safe and protect that (maybe) life. That's the logical thing to do, that's the right thing to do, but that isn't the liberal thing to do.

Think about it. I think it says a lot about progressive thought and the Democratic party.

[rsaillant1]

Creationwaits;

This just in.....there is undeniable proof that thousands of actual living human beings, men, women and children and our troops, have been killed, innocents, who have had their lives taken from them by a misdirected war in Iraq.

There is no dispute, no available argument that these people were not alive, living and breathing
and enjoying a conciousness and awarness of "self" that comes to each of us from the moment of birth.

Why not put aside the argument about proving that the fetus is/isn't a human being, and deal with
the fact that those who have been killed in the name of GWB were actual living and breathing
human beings. For that premise, there is proof. Look at it, and then come back with an argument that makes real sense.

[VOTER]

Sarah Palin believes if victims of rape become pregnant, they MUST keep
the babies.

Do you agree and if so, please explain.

[creationwaits]

I do agree. It follows from my argument above. If that fetus is (or might be) a human being, you can't just kill them, no matter how they got there or how inconvenient that could be. Indeed, I think the people who are against abortion except in cases of rape or incest are philosophically inconsistent.

[Yvaughn]

Check out the Democratic party platform. This year, they've vowed to try to reduce the number of abortions by reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies--something the abstinance only education of the Republicans (as opposed to birth control information which rightly INCLUDES abstinance) hasn't touched. Wouldn't it be great, to significantly lower abortions through education instead of punitive measures?

Palin doesn't even believe in exceptions to rape and incest, and wants all abortion banned. It's that kind of all-or-nothing thinking that the country's had enough of.

[cone]

Now then. We also don't know if other living beings (animals, plants, bacteria, etc. Or we could just stick with the animals with brains, if you'd like) have a conscious thought process and emotions -- the whole nine yards.

Now. Since we don't know for sure if that is the case or not, should we entirely ban the killing of animals for any purpose whatsoever? Just curious to see your position on this using your thought process.

[creationwaits]

That's a good question. I'm a Christian, so I think there is something special about humans. They are spiritually different - there is something like a "divine spark" that separates us from every other creature on the planet. It's OK to eat cattle, but not me.

How an atheist would resolve that question, I don't know. But I'm confident that most atheists do at least agree that killing innocent human beings is wrong, which is why this argument would still apply for them.

(Actually, it's a much longer discussion, but many of the principles we hold dear today are the result of our Christian past. I don't really believe that the free West can survive cut loose from it's Christian foundations, we're coasting on inertia now. How could you argue that men have natural rights, or are morally equal, from a secular perspective? Even our deist founders believed in God and accepted the bulk of Christian moral principles, but the modern atheist has no reason to do so.)

[Ides]

Then shouldn't you be anti-war? Shouldn't you be doing everything you can to remove the casualties in conflict? I mean, I can prove without a doubt that a 6 year old Iraqi child can think and feel. I can prove that a sixteen year old gang member can think and feel even if I lack any evidence that he committed a crime. So why are Republicans so anti-life? Are they only willing to protect living things that can be proven to think for themselves and feel pain?

The Pope and the Dalai Lama are the only pro-life advocates who aren't full of crap, so you can put that whole mess away, thank you very much.

I know an ovum doesn't feel. I know sperm doesn't feel. I know as soon as a zygote and sperm combine that there is no miraculous sensory panoply forming spontaneously in those first moments. I know it takes time for brains and nervous systems and eyes and noses and fingers to form, and not even in that order. Ergo, condoms, RU-486, and various other forms of contraception should be freely accessible to prevent abortions from even being an issue. But the most vocal pro-life advocates fight even these.

I know scientists have devoted decades of research to finding the threshold of sentience. I would rather err on the side of considered scientific and medical doctrine than ignorance.

[GiveUsFree]

My wife for VP 08'

My wife for VP 08'

My wife for VP 08'

My wife for VP 08'

My wife for VP 08'

My wife for VP 08'

She's pursuing her Masters in Education!
She's a football and soccer mom!
She brilliantly takes care of our 4 children!
She's a PTA member!

[VOTER]

Hey, move over!

I can top her credentials.

VOTE FOR ME!

AirForceVet/Vietnam/Wife/Mother/Volunteer, yada, yada, yada............my list is
too long to publish. Plus I am an outstanding cook and baker.

Yup, Yup.

[prettychicago]

Me for President, then? I have some graduate work under my belt and a BA in Poli Sci! I've been in tons of administrative roles and now work as a freelance artist. I understand the woes of the un-insured, under-insured, as well as those who work in corporate america. I think I am the woman for the job.

I don't have kids to show off, but my niece and nephew rock! They could play on the White House lawn!

I don't have military experience, but most of my family does. And I respect what they have done for our country. Though I am against the war.

I am even an excellent speaker and do very well on video. Plus I can do my own makeup and hair, which would save hundreds of dollars on the campaign trail!

VOTER/PRETTY CHICAGO 08

[Liberal2]

Only the cook part is really important. It is an "as of yet" unexplored criteria for the presidentcy. It has to be right up there with "the guy you'd most wanna have a beer with." Let's discard inconsequentals such as logic, education, achievement, commonsense, sanity, etc.

[Sewardmom]

Governor Palin is PRO-CHOICE for the BABY. Therefore, it's untrue as you said, "she is anti-choice". Pro-death folks seem to forget there's two involved in a pregancy...mother AND baby. Babies choose life.

MOST of the time the woman's choice is whether to use birth control, abstain, or risk pregnancy. After conception, her choice is adoption or murder. It's easier to murder these tiny humans because they are so small. (We step on a bug easier than we would kill a horse.)

I'm glad Jesus wasn't aborted.

[amamamy]

What about in cases of rape or incest? Palin is also in favor of outlawing abortion in ALL cases, including rape and incest as well as outlawing birth control and contraception so...more pregnancies a the result of rape and incest.

So, taking that to its logical conclusion, if Palin gets her way, what if a man rapes a woman...since contraception has been outlawed, the victim gets pregnant. In theory, the father would have rights to joint custody, right? And, since she also believes that women don't deserve equal pay for equal work, the victim can't afford an attorney to fight it.

She is a traitor to her gender. End of story.

[cbates]

John McMock is a imp. He is using Cindy McBeer and now S. McAlaska who will attract the woman vote. Once he is in office, Sarah McAlaska will have her office in the senate chambers where she can work her fingers to the bone as long as she doesn't interfere with McNap time.

[MikeLee7125]

This lady just went right past Quayle and she hasn't really gotten started yet!

[VOTER]

Yup, Yup.

[MikeLee7125]

I was kinda wondering how big of a social conservative she could be with all of 2 years on first major gig. I mean hello this is the first time she's actually been in a position to do anything along those lines.

[chinationreport]

Pro life is not pro labor which means hours of pain in the labor room. Pro life means a life long commitment and responsibility towards a baby's life and that includes making sacrifices for yourself.
I have a very simple question: Will baby Trig (her baby with Down syndrome) approve her running? You can vote:
http://www.chinationreport.com/SarahPalinBabyTrig.html

[edwarvir]

Methuselah and Sarah will be fine together. They have alot in common. They
are both confused. She doesn't know if she is PRO CHOICE OR NOT.

[530Rose]

Oh No! We are going to have to pay for her flip flops too! NARAL and PLANNED PARENTHOOD, take note! Looks like an ad to me.

[obamabiden2008]

I agree that the MSM is treating her nomination for VP like she is to be taken seriously, lest they be accused of sexism. If she were a man the MSM would be ALL OVER IT. I'm a woman, and I am frankly tired of the sexism battle cry. The rest of the world has had women presidents and prime ministers... perhaps the US is just a bit slower on that front for various reasons... but I do believe we need to move beyond our obsession with gender and race... Lets look at the PERSON. I'd still vote for Obama if he were a woman, or an older white man etc... It is his intelligence, his wisdom, his vision and his integrity that I value.