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John Kerry's Pro-Life Record

Sen. John Kerry puzzled Democrats and other pro-abortion voters by stating he believes that life begins at conception (report). This despite the fact that he voted at least six times against the ban on partial birth abortions and voted to allow federal money to distribute morning-after abortion pills in America's schools. He also has voted against legislation that would require parental notification for a minor child’s abortion and pledged to only nominate Sumpreme Court justices who support "abortion rights".

Peter Jennings of ABC News questioned Sen. Kerry regarding this contradictory position and Kerry’s reply was that taking a life that is not viable is not murder. Sen. Kerry’s reply was interesting when Jennings questioned him about Third Trimester abortions (a period when the child can live outside the womb – viable by any definition):

Jennings: Could you explain again to me what do you mean when you say "life begins at conception"?

Kerry: Well, that's what the Supreme Court has established is a test of viability as to whether or not you're permitted to terminate a pregnancy, and I support that. That is my test. And I, you know, you have all kinds of different evolutions of life, as we know, and very different beliefs about birth, the process of the development of a fetus. That's the standard that's been established in Roe v. Wade. And I adhere to that standard.

Jennings: If you believe that life begins at conception, is even a first-trimester abortion not murder?

Kerry: No, because it's not the form of life that takes personhood in the terms that we have judged it to be in the past. It's the beginning of life. Does life begin? Yes, it begins.

His voting record is consistent with this view. He received a 0% Ranking From National Right To Life Committee For 108th, 107th And 106th Congresses, And 7% Ranking For 105th Congress.

On Faith and Religion

In 1996, Kerry Complained About Senators Voting Against Their Professed Religious Ideals. "Sen. John F. Kerry, speaking at a Roxbury church, complained yesterday that some of his fellow senators profess Christian beliefs while voting in ways that contradict those ideals. Addressing the congregation of the Twelfth Baptist Church, Kerry said he often feels torn at Senate prayer breakfasts as he meets colleagues who seem to lack compassion in public life. ‘To be candid, I struggle when I sit next to someone who says they’re born again, but votes against child care, votes to cut 12- to 18-year-old kids off Medicaid,’ Kerry said." (Michael Grunwald, "Kerry Tells Congregation Votes Should Match Faith," The Boston Globe, 10/21/96)

Now Kerry Defends Positions At Odds With His Church. "Kerry is Roman Catholic, but his support for abortion rights is at odds with Vatican teachings. ‘I don’t tell church officials what to do, and church officials shouldn’t tell American politicians what to do in the context of our public life,’ Kerry said …" (Nedra Pickler, "Bush Campaign Blasts Kerry’s Bible Quote," The Associated Press, 3/28/04)

Posted by tim at August 24, 2004 5:37 AM

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