June 1, 2009 issue
Common ground on abortion?
After Notre Dame speech, pro-life Catholics still skeptical
By Adelle M. Banks Religion News ServicePage:
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Will President Obama’s plea for “common ground” on abortion during his speech at the University of Notre Dame on May 17 persuade ardent abortion opponents to work with the new president?
At first glance, it doesn’t seem likely.
“Each side will continue to make its case to the public with passion and conviction,” he said to a mostly receptive audience at the nation’s flagship Catholic university. “But surely we can do so without reducing those with differing views to caricature.”
But Obama’s entreaties for “open hearts” and “fair-minded words” may fall on deaf ears and minds already made up on the polarizing issue.
“No one in the pro-life movement believes his promises about abortion reduction,” said Deal Hudson, director of Inside Catholic.com, a conservative Web site, and a former GOP adviser. “Every decision he’s made thus far would do nothing but increase the number of abortions.”
Hudson cited Obama’s decision to open federal funding to international groups that provide abortions, for example.
Other critics say Obama administration policies speak louder than his words.
Chuck Donovan, executive vice president of Family Research Council, criticized the administration’s funding of embryonic stem cell research and plans to reduce conscience protections for health care workers. An FRC representative met with the White House recently to plan ways to reduce abortions.
But, according to Donovan, “To be credible, that plan would have to begin with reversing every decision Obama has made on abortion to date.”
Obama’s pragmatic efforts are up against ideological stances that both sides acknowledge may be irreconcilable.
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Comments
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It is disappointing that anyone can take Obama's plea for 'common ground' on abortion seriously. Common ground for Obama is his ground only. Here is a man, as stated in the article, has a long and strong record of saying one thing and doing another. I remember he was questioned before the election about the beginning of life. He stated that subject is above his pay grade. He is simply ignorant or chooses to reject the clear teachings in the Bible on this subject. Isaiah says it well in chapter 30 verse 10 about the rebellious people at that time, "Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits'. In his speech at Notre Dame, it was not surprising that Obama continued to reveal himself as a man of smooth and deceitful talk.
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