Roe V. Wade and Our Next President
Posted on October 17, 2008
Filed Under Elections 2008, Health, Justice, Politics, Women | Comments Off on Roe V. Wade and Our Next President
If you watched or listened to the entire presidential debate last night between Barack Obama and John McCain, you would have heard a very interesting joust between the two men over abortion and Roe v. Wade.
Both White House contenders have differing opinions on the 1973 Supreme Court case that legalized abortion. Obama is pro-choice, while McCain is pro-life. Debate moderator Bob Shieffer of CBS asked the two men if they could nominate someone to the Supreme Court who disagrees with them on abortion. It’s expected that whoever is the next president, at least one of the justices will retire.
Both candidates said they wouldn’t apply a litmus test – a question asked of a potential candidate, the answer to which might determine whether the person nominating that candidate would proceed with the appointment or nomination.
“I have never … imposed a litmus test on any nominee to the court, that’s not appropriate,” McCain, R-AZ, said.
Although he said Roe v. Wade was a “bad decision,” McCain said he favors leaving states to decide whether or not they will allow the procedure, when and under what conditions. He said Supreme Court nominees should be first and foremost considered because of their qualifications, not their abortion view.
But, when pressed whether he would nominate someone who has supported abortion, McCain, calling himself “proudly pro-life,” gets a little hypocritical: “I would consider anyone in their qualifications. I do not believe that someone who has supported Roe v. Wade that would be part of those qualifications. But I certainly would not impose any litmus test.”
Obama also said no “strict litmus” test would be imposed, and said he believes the Constitution does in fact include a woman’s right to privacy. Roe v. Wade also shouldn’t be subject to state referendum for states to alter at their whim, he added.
“It is true, this is going to be one of the most consequential decisions of the next president,” the Illinois senator said. “I would not apply a litmus test but I am somebody who believes Roe v. Wade was rightly decided.”[via wowowow]
