Palin Hits Obama on Abortion
October 11, 2008 | Permalink
In her speech today that did not mention Bill Ayers, Sarah Palin hit Obama on abortion, saying in part:
It’s hard to think of many issues that could possibly be more important than who is protected in law and who isn’t – who is granted life and who is denied it. So when our opponent, Senator Obama, speaks about questions of life, I listen very carefully.
I listened when he defended his unconditional support for unlimited abortions. He said that a woman shouldn’t have to be – quote – “punished with a baby.” He said that right here in Johnstown –“punished with a baby” – and it’s about time we called him on it. The more I hear from Senator Obama, the more I understand why he is so vague and evasive on the subject. Americans need to see his record for what it is. It’s not negative or mean-spirited to talk to about his record. Whatever party you belong to, there are facts you need to know.
Senator Obama has voted against bills to end partial-birth abortion. In the Illinois Senate, a bipartisan majority passed legislation against that practice. Senator Obama opposed that bill. He voted against it in committee, and voted “present” on the Senate floor. In that legislature, “present” is how you vote when you’re against something, but don’t want to be held to account.
I discussed abortion in a post earlier this week.
The strategy here is two fold. First, find some issue that Obama can be portrayed as radical on. Second, for Palin, this is a good way to build her bona fides for a possible 2012 run.
Of course, I think any attempts of this ilk to change the subject off the economy will be unsuccessful. At best, making this a top issue might save states like Ohio and Indiana. This is a measure meant to stop the bleeding for McCain, not to turn things around. If there’s a counteroffensive on the economy coming later, this is not a bad precursor. It sets up Obama to be on the defensive at the last debate this week.
Related at 2008 Central:
- Abortion: Enough on Roe; Let’s Talk About Casey
- McCain, Democrats, and Abortion: A Riddle Without an Answer
- Social Issues: Not That Important Anymore?
- McCain Declares War on Roe v. Wade
[...] Palin Hits Obama on Abortion [...]