No Debate When It Comes to Presidential Candidates

by Jen Nedeau · 2008-10-16 20:18:00 UTC
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During last night's presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain, it became very clear that when it comes to women's rights, women's health and the future of Roe v. Wade, there is little to debate about which party will protect women and which party which will put them at risk.

After the debate it is clear why Barack Obama won the support of feminists, while John McCain has been criticized for voting against women's health legislation over 125 times.

Blog For Choice pointed out today that during the debate, McCain seemingly mocked the idea of protecting women's health by putting "health" in air quotes, while Obama spoke about protecting Roe v. Wade and leaving the decision in the hands of women and their doctors.

Cecile Richards, the President of Planned Parenthood, also elaborated on this moment during the debate over at the Huffington Post:

I about fell out of my chair when I heard John McCain say this during the presidential debate last night:

"Just again, the example of the eloquence of Sen. Obama. He's health for the mother. You know, that's been stretched by the pro-abortion movement in America to mean almost anything. That's the extreme pro-abortion position, quote, 'health.'"

Since when did women's health become extreme?

What's really extreme here is that John McCain doesn't understand that women's health matters.

Additionally, RH Reality Check noted that McCain promised

...to nominate strict constructionists 'in the mold of Roberts and Alito' to the Supreme Court. Strict constructionists are known to reject the right to privacy, the foundation for Roe, on the grounds that it is not enumerated in the Constitution. Requiring this kind of ideological purity is not a litmus test? Obama's response was slightly evasive -- saying that Roe hangs in the balance, that he thinks Roe was "rightly decided," but claiming he would not support a 'litmus test.

There are only 19 days left before the fate of the election is determined.

Make sure you know which candidate has the future of women's health at heart.

Jen Nedeau Jen Nedeau is a media relations professional and a writer based in New York City.
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