Mocking Women's Health and Losing Their Votes (with "Air Quotes")

Do you hear that?

It's the sound of even more women voters in swing states like Colorado, New Hampshire, and Virginia moving to Sen. Barack Obama after John McCain's response to questions regarding a woman's right to choose in last night's debate.

McCain reiterated his call to overturn Roe v. Wade. (Even George W. Bush didn't make this statement when he was running for president.)

McCain used "air quotes" as he insulted women who need an abortion because their health is threatened. (A friend of mine who was at the debate said the crowd gasped at McCain's callous disregard for women's health.)

McCain looked every bit as out of touch with women's everyday lives as his 25-year record of voting against women's freedom and privacy demonstrates.

McCain even used the right-wing rhetoric of sending the issue "back to the states" (a baseless argument that we've debunked on multiple occasions).

Take a look:

Sen. Obama, on the other hand, provided all Americans -- especially women voters in swing states -- with a different vision and respect for women and the difficult decisions they have to make.

Sen. Obama reiterated his support for Roe v. Wade and for the constitutional right to privacy this landmark decision represents.

Sen. Obama's response reflected his respect for women making the decisions, including adoption, that are best for them.

Sen. Obama outlined how he will unite Americans behind commonsense, common-ground ways to improve women's health-care options and prevent unintended pregnancy. His record of support for these measures is strong, and we have worked with him and other pro-choice leaders to advance Prevention First initiatives that do just that.

The contrast Americans saw on TV last night will be magnified in the next three weeks as NARAL Pro-Choice America contacts more than 300,000 pro-choice households in eight battleground states numerous times. With polls changing daily in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, NARAL Pro-Choice America will be communicating with women in these states to make the case for Barack Obama's presidency.

McCain doesn't understand a key principle that, for many women, is central to their choice of a candidate for president. The same woman who wants a president to address the difficulty of paying to put gas in the car while other bills pile up on the kitchen counter also wants a president who respects her ability to make the personal, private medical decisions that are best for her and her family. She doesn't want a politician like McCain mocking protections for her health or voting against birth control.

As the election enters its final phase, and these key voters hear from NARAL Pro-Choice America about the stark differences between John McCain and Barack Obama about a woman's right to choose, women will choose the candidate who will stand with them. That candidate is Barack Obama.

Nancy Keenan is the president of NARAL Pro-Choice America.

Follow Nancy Keenan on Twitter: www.twitter.com/NARAL

Comments

[Lombard1006]

Pro Life may want want Roe v. Wade overturned but their politicians do not. Are you kidding? This is one of the biggest carrots in their conservative arsenal. If a Republican President Bush and three Republican majority Congresses didn't make it a priority to overturn, then it's not going to happen at a federal level. Every four years they dangle the carrot to get the votes, but they will not risk alienating the moderate side of their party that are pro-choice.

[bubbainca]

The whole abortion debate nauseates me. Pro-life people pretend that mothers have abortions because they couldn't cancel a spa appointment on the date of delivery. But I have to say, pro-choice advocates go overboard with the my-body-I'­ll-do-what­-I-damn-we­ll-please-­with-it-pe­riod argument.

Somewhere we have lost sense of the soul-sapping, gut-wrenching, heart-breaking decision that a decision to abort, or for that matter the decision to keep the baby in the face of terrible odds, really is. The "choice" in pro-choice is not a choice between navy blue and apple green. It's the choice between terminating a part of you, your blood, and bringing into the world an infant with, say, a devastating illness.

Ask yourself, if your mother had chosen to abort you would you really hate her for that (the question is not literal, but you know what I mean)? Let me give you my answer. Knowing what I know about my mother, it would have killed her to make that decision, and it would have been something terrible that drove her that way. I would gladly forgo my existence if that made her feel any better. My only regret would be that I wasn't around to help her through such trying times.

The more we empathize with the often devastatingly terrible situation of an unwanted pregnancy, the more sane this debate will get.

[prd mom to 4]

My mother was actually in the clinic (she was 16 at the time) in her hospital gown about to have an abortion and she couldn't do it. Even though everyone but my father (he was 18) and grandmother (her mother) told her that I would ruin her life, she didn't care. She just couldn't go through with it. I actually just found this out last year (I was 27!). I have to say that I was shocked, especially knowing my mother now! Needless to say, I'm glad to be here, but would I hate her for her choice? No. She would have made a decision that was best for her.

[anniegirl9]

Why cant pro-lifers just be honest. Palin tried to say that she would "reach across" to pro -choicers to help reduce the number of abortions. Not olny did she steal that from Obama, she has no intentions of doing that after they get Roe V. Wade over turned. It was a blantant attempt to soften her real position for moderate voters.

In Michigan, proposal 2 would allow people who have gone through fertility treatments to donate any unused eggs for stem cell research, seeing as how they will be destroyed anyway. Of course there is opposition to this from the neocons. My problem isn't the opposition (okay, maybe it is a little) but it's more that they wont just say that they are against it because they believe that any exploitation of a "human life" for any reason is wrong. I may not agree with that, but I can respect their opinion. But knowing that pupblic support is for the proposal, they turn to a common tactic in the face of potential defeat - they lie.

Commercials claimed that proposal2 will raise your taxes - obviously exploiting peoples financial anxieties. My mother asked me to research this claim. My sister has MS, so stem cell research is popular with us, but my mom's also worried about her taxes.

I read the proposal as well as researched arguments for and against it. There is absolutly nothing in it that would raise anyones taxes. It flat out allows people to DONATE fertillized

[The Lorax]

Let's even say why can't they be honest in the selectivity of their efforts. Babies in the US should be protected, babies in Africa should be watched to dwindle without help? Babies in the US should be saved while... people in Iraq are killed. A life choice cannot be selective. If you believe in life it should be for all life. You don't get to pick and choose which life is convenient for your platform or your views. If you tout to be pro-life, you believe in all life. Why support war? Why not stand up to the injustice that is the suffering and genocide of Burmese and those in Darfur? Why so selective in the quest to save?

I want Palin (yeah, THAT one) and McCain to answet this. Answer me now, this means a lot to me.

[luckyrico1]

I'm an RN and worked for 25 years in women's health. "Partial birth abortion" is not a term that medical experts use and the procedure is exceedingly rare. In my years of experience I only knew of the procedure being performed twice. Both times were, indeed, to save the life of the mother.

When this procedure is used, time is of the essence and there are very few physicians who are skilled enough to perform it. Those who perform the procedure are often "terrorized" by the anti-abortion fanatics.

It is blatantly offensive that McCain used his "air quotes" when referring to the health of a pregnant woman.

If I had any thoughts as to voting for McCain, he certainly knew how to make me change my mind.

Women once faced the prospect of death with each and every pregnancy. Thank God we have advanced women's health to the point where a healthy young woman no longer fears death in bearing a child. However, pregnancy and childbirth still carry risks. Occasionally babies and women die despite medical advances.

Before you use your air quotes again Mr. McCain, I suggest you talk with a perinatologist about the possible health reasons for aborting a fetus. You might be a little less cavalier about women's health.

[The Lorax]

You and Anniegirl above, you go! Tell it. Say what you need to we are listening.

Guess what, ya'll. Obama showed how his stance was last night and why, Constitutional rights which we all get here and in life. Constitutional right to privacy which should be all encompassing, not defined by state. If anyone listened to Obama last night they'd see he was speaking from a view not of his own (religious) belief but of that of the Constitution.

Whatever your own debate is, his argument was just in the eyes of our forefathers, try to take that and spin it. Our flipping Constitutional rights. And no, I can't say it enough because too many people vote on religion (hello, seperation of church and state) then only use the constitution when convenient. Again, this is not right. Do not push your religious morals on me when it comes to a personal or political matter, We have freedoms right now. And we have them for a reason.

[CubanVoice]

This IS the real McCain - women's health is not a factor nor does he think we deserve equal pay. Air quote THIS, Senator. He is the dwindling American hero.

[The Lorax]

I am a female, I don't think anyones health is an extreme, but can someone PLEASE dub him at leat ONCE with his finger air quotes to the voice of Dr Evil saying "Laser beam"? Please? If not I might have to try it myself and I don't have the software for it. Please, anyone.

[KayDGee]

Succatash would know as a doctor that Partial Birth Abortion is a political term and not a medical term. There are any number of heartbreaking indications for late term abortions such as severe hydrocephalty or anancephaly in either case the fetus would be expected to live perhaps 72 hours. In the case of the former, the mothers ability to bear future children could be compromised. At third trimester, there are no standards - Medical personnel are forced into decisions based on legal precedent instead of accepted medical intervention, Extraordinary measures, in the wake of the Reagan administration, to keep non-viable infants alive have been thrust on taxpayers, as pro life exuberance seems to dissipate post partum. The politics of Roe v Wade has taken on a life of its own. As a taxpayer, I woud be interested in a listing of activitists who have queued up to adopt severely compromised (drug addicted, fetal alcohol syndrome) infants or offspring of unhealthy mothers.

[Succatash]

Now you are talking about anencephaly meaning "no brain" or "partial brain". Anencephalic infants delivered at term are given only comfort care until death. I would not have any issue with a women electing for a late abortion after being diagnosed with an anecephalic fetus.

The whole issue has to do with indications for 'partial birth' abortion when the health of the mother is at risk. My only point is saying that I have researched the issue and there appears to be no indication.

The issue is more complicated because data on the actual number of these procedures is diffcult to find. It is even more difficult to determine the "indication" for the procedure.

I understand the angst this causes someone who is strongly pro-choice. It is definately used as an "issue" by the Republicans.

But, McCain used "air quotes" because the Democrats are NOT using real science when they discuss this issue and its necessity in regards to the health of the mother.

Democrats are always arguing Bush makes decisions while ignoring scientific fact, its a two way street.

[KayDGee]

This is always a circular argument. I would offer that in your view abortion should be an option for a fetus in distress, but not the mother. One could go through a Merck Manual and find a number of potential causes of maternal mortality. An undetected transverse breech, for example; but the point is that patients and their doctors should not have three branches of government standing in a treatment room like the Verizon crowd for these kinds of decisions. It is not a Democratic or Republican decision - In such a sad occurrence it is the decision of mortal humans who do not need a bunc h of old men aruguing the pseudo-scientific or political ramifications. We agree to disagree. Peace.

[Succatash]

Actually, my wife is quite religious but pro-choice and is voting for Obama. I am not very religious and am undecided....but leaning toward Obama. I have mixed feelings about the 'choice' issue only because I look at my four children as the biggest blessing possible on Earth. That said, overturning Roe vs. Wade is not really an issue I feel strongly about.

My post has to do with "partial birth" abortion and the indications, if any, to perform it.

As a physician, I do have an understanding of health, including the health of the mother. Physicians, including experts in Ob/Gyn, have testified before Congress that there are NO indications for "partial birth" abortion to save the life of a mother. That is why McCain did what he did in the debate.

I love mothers, I have one.

So instead of "lies,lies,lies" give me some information I can use.

[Catnik]

"As a physician," you should understand that there is no such procedure as a "partial birth" abortion. Instead, that hyperbolic phrasing is used as an umbrella term for all late-term abortions - though particularly for an intact D&E. "As a physician," you should also already know that late term/third trimester abortions are almost always done because of incurable defects in the fetus (ie, encephalopathy) , severe medical complications, or a stillbirth. Late term abortions are wanted pregnancies that have gone terribly wrong. Intact D&E was commonly used for cases where the fetus died in the womb, as it allowed for the least physical trauma to the mother and allowed for the would-be parents to grieve for the failed pregnancy. The only remaining option for late-term abortion now involves internal dismemberment of the fetus, which is not only more dangerous and physically traumatic for the mother, but it also denies her the ability to say goodbye to a wanted, and lost, child.

[piggybackmom]

Even though McCain at his rallies didn't shout out "kill and terrorist", for more than a week he didn't stop this horrible behavior, instead he encourage it by letting the crowd continue. Now, he has phone messages going out that Obama is a terrorist because of his association with Ayers. Ayers is a professor at an excellent university, University of Illinois. He is not a terrorist. But McCain keeps using this slander to make Obama look bad for our nation. Do you think this is a permissible behavior? What are you looking for in a leader? A bully or a diplomatic person.
This horrible behavior from Mccain alone should tell you that this isn't a person that you would want as a president. In history there has been mavericks, some famous and others infamous. McCain is showing qualities of the infamous type.

You may find this to be helpful in see the true McCain:
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain

[DamianG]

Succatash: Not really sure what to tell you. If your only issue is Abortion and you think Sen. O is for partial birth abortion I would say no he is not.

checkout factcheck.org and you can do research for yourself.

Me. I looked at several things.

1. Who has a vision for our future. I believe O does.
Education - Make us competitive for the future. Invest You don't get anything for free. It will cost. No Child Left Behind is a joke.
Renewable Energies -- We have to invest in these for them to be real. O 15 Billion a year for 10 years. (creates jobs)
Healthcare -- Look at the two plans. In McC's plan if my employer pays my health plan it is seen as Income thus taxed. If I had to go buy my plan it would easily be 10,000. I know I've seen my companies portion that they pay. And no I don't have any exotic plan I can't go get cosmetic surgery.
Rebuild our infrastructure it is crumbling...

Will O be able to do everything. No... but even a large Company has a "plan" a vision.

2. Leadership - I am a veteran and have been exposed to many leadership styles and as a former officer I can tell you O displays greater leadership than McC.

Military definition of leadership -- "The art of influencing a group of people in such a way to obtain their "loyal" confidence and "cooperation" in order to accomplish

[Succatash]

HuffPost's Pick

Thanks, good post.

I am a Republican, but I see no problem with someone (Republicans) stepping back with a bit of humility and taking a seat in the corner when they have obviously run the ship aground (and that is putting it nicely).

Let me say, I live in one of the most Conservative states in the Nation and all of my extended family is voting Obama. We have very excited dinnertime conversations.

One argument I do make with my wife is that as members of our community we give frequently to various organizations in our own community (food bank, sponsoring kids athletic teams, church...). I am fortunate to be in the tax bracket that Obama wants to hit a little harder. Because our tax system is progressive it won't be that big a deal but I do argue that I would rather give that money locally so I can actually know it is doing good. Washington, controlled by Dems or Repub. obviously has a hard time spending our money wisely.

Peace Out

[imfedup]

That's why he did what he did? What did he do?

[HowIronic]

I may be misunderstanding you, but you seem to imply that women have late-term abortions because they woke up one day and didn't want to be pregnant anymore. I find it hard that hard to believe.

[Succatash]

HowIronic, I would agree with that statement completely.

My information comes from Dr. Haskell who indicated that 20% of these procedures he performed for genetic defects (anencephaly) and 80% were 'elective'. This was testimony given before Congress.

I don't support overturning "Roe v. Wade' but I don't support a woman carrying a pregnancy into the 5th or 6th month and then deciding to have an abortion.

The problem with the "health" of the mother issue is that an abortionist could indicate an entire list of diagnoses as an indication for the abortion when in reality the "life" of the mother is not at risk.

[crewt]

This is not the first time McCain has used air quotes regarding a health issue. In the second debate, McCain scoffed at "medical errors" by using air quotes and qualifying the term by saying "medical errors as they call 'em." As someone who had a metastatic tumor in my pancreas misdiagnosed for close to a decade, I take medical errors quite seriously. John McCain has now show us twice that he not only does not empathize with Americans, but if his views differ from ours, he belittles the issues. I'm terrified to imagine what our country will be like if he sits in the Oval Office.

[Infokronea]

Senator McCain really does seem to have sold out to the rabid radicals on this topic. Anyone who refuses to support the inclusion of any sort of clause that would allow doctors to do what is required to save the life of the mother in abortion related legislation should have his (or her) head (and heart) examined. My grandmother died because all abortions, let alone late term abortions, were illegal way back then. Was my grandfather a radical extremist because, if he could have, he would have chosen to terminate the pregnancy in order to save his wife's life? (And, in case you're curious, the child wasn't going to make it no matter what they did.) I think not. No sane person can honestly believe that it is either radical or extremist to object to legislation that condemns innocent women like my grandmother to death without benefit of trial or jury. So, what does that tell us about John McCain and Sarah Palin?

[Egalitare]

The rigid belief that all life is sacred has run aground on the reality that death can result from taking a "Pro-Life" position. The real intent of the "Culture of Life" chorus is to roll back most meaningful and effective reproductive freedom. It hides behind the skirt of Victorian Era ideas about sexuality and promiscuity, and what it really seeks to do is make sex essentially Russian Roulette, in the hopes that fear of pregnancy will result in a reduction of sexual activity.

I must have missed the repeal of hormonal activity.

[citizenoftheworld]

It is a misnomer to call them pro-life.
If you want to kill every brown person on the planet, either
by biased wars fought over lies
or through the unjust death penalty in our
country then YOU ARE NOT PRO-LIFE!!!!!

[BabsfromKansas]

The G0P are NOT pro-life, they are pro-birth. There is a huge difference! What they do not advocate is the real pro-life issues: childcare, w omen's rights, health care, education, clean energy, and ending the war. The religious right are wrong. They stand for the false mantra that every conception should result in a birth - even in the case of r.ape or in.cest. If they were truly pro-life, they would not have squandered over a trillion dollars on the war. If they were truly pro-life, they would not support to.rture or ki.lling animals at close range from a helicopter. If they were truly pro-life, 46 million Americans would not be without health insurance.

[Succatash]

I believe you are a bit confused on Sen. McCains 'Air Quotes' Nancy.

His response was regarding the procedure of 'partial birth" abortion. Obama did not support a ban on this procedure because there was not an exception in regards to the "health" of the mother

Please research this topic a little more Nancy and other Huffposters. There is NO medical indication for a partial birth abortion to save the mothers life. There are instances in which a C-section may be needed to save the life of the mother AND the baby such as severe pre-eclampsia.

That is why McCain rolled his eyes.

Why would a person carry a fetus for 23 weeks and then elect to have a 'partial birth' abortion?

Surgeon General C. Everett Koop and other eminent medical authorities told Congress, "partial-birth abortion is never medically necessary to protect a mother's health or her future fertility. On the contrary, this procedure can pose a significant threat to both."

Abortionists performing this procedure frequently, have testified that it is performed 20% of the time because of 'genetic' abnormalities of the fetus and 80% of the time as an elective late term abortion.

Please, Nancy, educate me.

[saami]

Lies, lies, lies. You on the right and anti-choice can only lie. Please keep your beliefs and your religion away from me and my body.

[Succatash]

Actually, my wife is quite religious but pro-choice and is voting for Obama. I am not very religious and am undecided....but leaning toward Obama. I have mixed feelings about the 'choice' issue only because I look at my four children as the biggest blessing possible on Earth. That said, overturning Roe vs. Wade is not really an issue I feel strongly about.

My post has to do with "partial birth" abortion and the indications, if any, to perform it.

As a physician, I do have an understanding of health, including the health of the mother. Physicians, including experts in Ob/Gyn, have testified before Congress that there are NO indications for "partial birth" abortion to save the life of a mother. That is why McCain did what he did in the debate.

I love mothers, I have one.

So instead of "lies,lies,lies" give me some information I can use.

[channelerchik]

He shouldn't have done the air quotes about the issue, period. He blew it.

But go for it, keep trying to spin. That's all you rethugs have left.

[payos]

I gather you must have coached McCain, otherwise how do you know that's why he rolled his eyes, at rate your projection and identification with him is very very intimate, so do not try to pose yours as a disinterested opinion.

Are you absolutely sure that there NEVER is a case of the mother's health being an issue. Only a n insensitive doctor would put health in quotes, air or otherwise, and I am one who is very adverse to hypochondriacs. I wouldn't want to be your patient.

[jah2008]

This video doesn't do justice to how disturbing McCain's comment really was. "The health of the mother" in question is about the "life and death of the mother". I wish everyone would make this case clearer by reinforcing the message and let every woman know what it would mean if we have McCain as the next President.

[BettyG]

McCain and Palin make it a point to tell us big government is the problem. It has to butt out of taking our money through taxes, and should leave us all free to do our own thing when it comes to making money, but boy, they sure have no problems with the government being the arbiter of a women's health. Nothing intrusive or inappropriate about that at all.

[Heartlight3]

Also no problem with the government telling you who you can marry.