NARAL Pro-Choice backs Obama

[jefferson_dem]

NARAL Pro-Choice backs Obama
By BETH FOUHY – 35 minutes ago

NEW YORK (AP) — Democrat Barack Obama has won the endorsement of NARAL Pro-Choice America. The leading abortion rights advocacy organization has supported rival Hillary Rodham Clinton throughout her political career.

The organization was set to announce the endorsement of its political action committee Wednesday.

NARAL president Nancy Keenan said in a statement: "Today, we are proud to put our organization's grassroots and political support behind the pro-choice candidate whom we believe will secure the Democratic nomination and advance to the general election. That candidate is Senator Obama."

Officials said NARAL's political committee board was about evenly divided among Clinton and Obama supporters and that the decision to endorse was hard fought. Ultimately, the board voted unanimously Friday to support the Illinois senator.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jvzT8keHzVS3YjP8BJDDrf64A_AwD90LHRTO2

[BlooInBloo]

1. Wow. Another group that doesn't matter to Clinton and her supporters.

[thewiseguy]

2. I think this one did and it still does

[janx]

33. Yes, it certainly does. n/t

[mrreowwr_kittty]

10. No worries. The shameless political hacks of NOW still endorse Clinton.

The juxtaposition of their glowing endorsement of Hillary with their anti-war statement on their website was bad enough, but lying about his record on abortion issues to IA and NH voters was beyond the pale. I tore up my membership card after that. It's supposed to be the National Organization for Women. That means all women, not one woman named Hillary Clinton.

[IndianaGreen]

20. Instead of reading letters of women supporters, Hillary should read letters of Iraqi women

whose homes and family have been destroyed by the war that she did so much to bring about.

[livetohike]

3. That's a nice endorsement

:thumbsup:

[IndianaGreen]

4. If the NARAL women can unite behind Obama's nomination

I hope the rest of us can do so after June 3.

[VeraAgnes]

37. I will no longer donate to NARAL

Obama does not support abortions....so this is insane and illogical! This organization has gone corporate or something so, it's over for me that's for sure.

[NYCGirl]

41. Obama has a 100% rating from NARAL and Planned Parenthood

http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=9490

2007 In 2007 NARAL Pro-Choice America gave Senator Obama a grade of 100.

2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2006.

2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Planned Parenthood 100 percent in 2006.

2005-2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association 100 percent in 2005-2006.

2005-2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 0 percent in 2005-2006.

2005 Senator Obama supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2005.

2003 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council 100 percent in 2003.

2002 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Illinois Federation for Right to Life 50 percent in 2002.

2001 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council 100 percent in 2001.

1997-2000 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Illinois Federation for Right to Life 0 percent in 1997-2000.

1997-1998 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council 100 percent in 1997-1998.

[SeattleGirl]

52. What????

Do you get your facts from fantasyland?

[rodeodance]

54. Check out some background on her. She is not friend: (Nancy Keenan)

Check out some background on her. http://firedoglake.com/2006/12/06/whats-wrong-with-nancy-keenan/

She's not well-liked by the board or membership.

[onenote]

69. if the board doesn't like her, why is she still there?

The board could get rid of her if they wanted to. She's been at NARAL since 2004, and NARAL widely was praised for being very effective on behalf of pro-choice Democrats in the 2006 mid-terms, which is why NARAL's endorsement of Obama is, in fact, a big deal, particularly to superdelegates.

Sorry for you.

[rodeodance]

81. its. split. time will tell.

[onenote]

83. how much time? the blog you posted is two years old

[slinkerwink]

59. he does support abortions for women

[janx]

62. Hi stranger!

:hi:

[book_worm]

60. Who "supports abortions"? It's about being "pro-choice" and Obama has a 100% rating.

[msallied]

63. CHrist some of you people are idiots.

[Occam Bandage]

72. Obama has 100% PP/NARAL ratings. He literally has a perfect record on abortion.

[JVS]

73. !

:eyes:

[TahitiNut]

77. Good grief!

What a tool! :eyes:

[wndycty]

Someone needs to tell them he is Black and has a penis

:sarcasm:

[FrenchieCat]

18. and that his Penis, in truth, is big and Black!

How Worrysome! :sarcasm:

[janx]

26. Frenchie, stop it!

:rofl:

[FrenchieCat]

45. !

:hi:

[janx]

55. On a more serious (and positive) note, I think this

endorsement effectively ended our primary season! This is HUGE! We're about to see something truly historic in the coming months! :party:

[WA98070]

31. How do you know? Any other distinguishing characteristics?

[FrenchieCat]

50. Much evidence abound......

for those who are informed about such matters.

[BlooInBloo]

44. HAHAHAA!!!!

EDIT: If I had a nickel every time I said that...

:rofl:

[Occam Bandage]

75. Now, hold on here. You can't just go making accusations without evidence.

I demand detailed photographic proof of this claim.

[msallied]

64. The thing is, once you go Barack...

you never go back... lol

[hisownpetard]

79. Hahahahaa!

Good one.:hi:

[Connie_Corleone]

5. NARAL is dead to me. Bunch of sexists./sarcasm

Do you get the hint yet, Hillary? IT'S OVER!

[FrenchieCat]

6. Maybe it is because Clinton Supporters are stating that they are willing to vote for

anti-choice NeoCon John McCain't. That doesn't look good to any organization who's interested in winning in November. Especially one whose whole purpose is to insure that reproductive rights will be protected!

[Blue_Roses]

82. Bingo!

:D

[thewiseguy]

7. Thats a huge endorsement. They have a million members.

[janx]

8. This is a big one.

I've been staying away from here because of all of the infighting, but I have to chime in on this one.

[4_Legs_Good]

9. Wow!

I wasn't expecting that.

David

[David__77]

11. Excellent news.

It helps Obama build strength among the women's movement. I think it will coalesce around his candidacy soon.

[Hope And Change]

12. K & R!

:thumbsup:

[ShortnFiery]

13. Yes! This is excellent news.

NARAL :yourock: THANK-YOU!

[thewiseguy]

14. The video of announcement here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2elXcVySElc&eurl=http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/elections/

They are already campaigning for Obama on their site.

[IndianaGreen]

15. "Obama is the leader who can unify Americans"

Sen. Obama is the leader who can unify Americans on both sides of our issue. He has reached new generations and energized young voters, independent voters, and Republican voters. He's the candidate of the future, and today we are proud to put the power of NARAL Pro-Choice America's one million strong members, activists and supporters behind Sen. Barack Obama.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nancy-keenan/why-naral-pro-choice-amer_b_101708.html

[Phillycat]

42. Except, you know...50% of the Democrats.

Real unifying.

[msallied]

65. Riiiight. lol I think you loony few who can't let go are in a scant minority

[Phillycat]

66. You're not great with numbers, are you?

I have let go, I know Obama is the presumptive nominee and I will willingly vote for him (although I will not donate or volunteer) but that doesn't change the fact that nearly 50% of Democratic voters in this primary voted for Hillary. If it were a scant minority, we wouldn't be having this argument.

[msallied]

67. They haven't united with him because she's still in the fucking race, fool.

[Phillycat]

68. You are just a charmer, aren't you?

That's the end of this discussion for me, thanks.

[Occam Bandage]

16. NARAL is nothing but sexist eggheads. And blacks.

[yardwork]

74. LOL. And elitists.

[janx]

17. kick

[cali]

19. This is a big deal.

And makes clear yet again that it's all over but for Hill's concession speech.

[Phillycat]

21. Wow, that's a shame. :(

If only Obama had even half the comprehensive platform for women's rights that Hillary has. Oh well, I guess they have to support the presumptive nominee, no matter whether he best supports their views or not.

[thewiseguy]

22. McCain had a 0 voting record on choice

That makes the decision much easier. :)

[cali]

25. Obama's record on reproductive rights is every bit as good as Hillary's

His platform is excellent, and Hillary is now bordering on complete irrelevancy. Obama is the only logical choice.

[frylock]

71. but does he have a vagina?

because apparently that's all that matters to some supporters.

[Shakespeare]

35. That's really unfair. Kate Michelman endorsed Edwards, and then Obama.

And she was very clear and eloquent about why she chose both of those candidates over Hillary, long before we had a presumptive nominee. It appears NARAL is doing the same thing, and not out of expediency.

[Phillycat]

38. Then why did they wait so long, and why were they split about the decision?

Clearly they wanted to support Hillary, the better candidate as concerns women's rights, but the tide went against them and they ended up with Obama in the end. As has the rest of the Democratic party. Sigh.

[Shakespeare]

46. "ultimately, they voted unanimously..."

No, not all of them wanted to support Hillary, and I disagree that she's necessarily the stronger candidate on women's rights.

[Phillycat]

51. And you're welcome to.

But it's subjective, isn't it?

[Shakespeare]

57. I never said it wasn't.

I'm just saying it's unfair to characterize that decision as one solely of expediency, and not based in their belief in Obama's position.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

47. Clearly Obama is the better candidate as concerns women's rights.

Who am I supposed to believe? NARAL or some anonymous sore loser on the internet?

[eridani]

85. Both candidates are the same on women's rights

It's all about the delegate math, and the need to quit giving McSame a free ride.

[eridani]

84. They waited until the delegate math made the nominee clear

Since both candidates are 100% pro-choice, there wasn't any other distinguishing criterion.

[myrna minx]

23. This is wonderful news!

:bounce:

[skipos]

24. KR

[ProSense]

27. Why NARAL Pro-Choice America Endorsed Barack Obama

Nancy Keenan

Why NARAL Pro-Choice America Endorsed Barack Obama

I am pleased to announce that today, NARAL Pro-Choice America's political action committee endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for president.

I know that most of you are probably thinking, "Why did you decide to endorse Obama, and why are you doing it now?"

Sen. Obama has been a strong advocate for a woman's right to choose throughout his career in public service. Since joining the Senate in 2005, he has worked to unite Americans on both sides of this debate behind commonsense, common-ground ways to prevent unintended pregnancy. He supports legislation to provide our teens with comprehensive sex education, prevent pharmacies from denying women access to their legal birth-control prescriptions, and increase access for family-planning services.

Sen. Obama has said, "A woman's ability to decide how many children to have and when, without interference from the government, is one of the most fundamental rights we possess. It is not just an issue of choice, but equality and opportunity for all women."

Further, I believe Sen. Obama is going to be the Democratic nominee. He leads in pledged delegates, superdelegates, the popular vote, and cash-on-hand. As a former elected official, I know that having the three "m's" of a campaign - money, message and manpower (or womanpower!) - are how we win elections. Sen. Obama will be our next president.

<...>

Finally, NARAL Pro-Choice America, as the political leader of the pro-choice movement, felt it was time to take a leadership role. We have been so fortunate to have two fully pro-choice candidates running for the Democratic nomination and to that end, we've consistently praised both Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama for their leadership in standing up for women's reproductive rights. We continue to look forward to working with them in the future. But, for the sake of the reproductive-rights movement, we need to put any perceived differences behind us, and get to work putting Sen. Obama in the White House. We want to let women know that, no doubt about it, we have trust and confidence in Obama's ability and willingness to fight for a woman's right to choose. He's already proven himself in that regard.

more

[jsmirman]

28. And frankly, this is the organization that should matter most to ALL of us right now

THIS is what is at stake. THIS is what Hillary puts in jeopardy by her willingness to turn this campaign into a class war where she is the representative of a class she wouldn't spend a single weekend with at the Berkshires. THIS is the disgustingness of Hillary choosing her ego over what is truly important.

[Scurrilous]

29. Great news.

K & R :thumbsup:

[thewiseguy]

30. Clinton campaign's reaction: SURPRISED!

Asked for reaction on media conference call, Clinton spokesman Wolfson says, “Surprised.”

[jsmirman]

34. That's right, jackass. Surprise! Enjoy a nice, healthy cup of reality. No one is buying

the tripe you are selling and the disgusting politics of destruction you and Lanny are advancing.

[WeDidIt]

32. Biggest. Endorsement. Flip. Of. The. Primary. Season.

This is huge. This is bigger than five superdelegates flipping at once.

[WA98070]

36. This should be no surprise, she is only pro-choice because it is important to Dems....

She keeps trying to find a place on the fence but there is NO fence on this issue.

[eridani]

86. Oh, please! Both have 100% ratings from NARAL

The issue here is the delegate math and the need to start going after McSame.

[powergirl]

39. This is HUGE - a proud and feminist organization

and they support Obama. Thank you NARAL.

[Barack_America]

40. Does that mean Obama's VP pick is likely to be pro-choice?

Wonder if they would request a guarantee of that sort of thing.

Though I am strroooongly pro-choice myself, one of my top picks for VP is technically not.

[jenmito]

43. Funny how they played this on MSNBC. They were in the middle of discussing how/if Hillary can still

win, then Brewer announced the endorsement in the middle of their conversation, and Ann Cornblut responds by saying it's no surprise that they'd endorse the presumptive Dem. nominee and it would've been more significant "if they endorsed during the primaries." Um, if they acknoweledge that Obama WILL BE THE DEM. NOMINEE, why are they spending time discussing if/how Hillary can still win it?

[janx]

48. Because they are morons. n/t

[jenmito]

53. Obviously.

[janx]

56. I haven't watched cable news in almost a year.

Can't...take it...anymore!

[jenmito]

70. I wish I could do the same...

but I can't look away!

[MadBadger]

49. I cant wait for NY NOW to respond

I predict they will revoke NARAL's ovaries.

[book_worm]

58. Excellent news! they are endorsing the presumptive nominee and gearing up for the fall campaign.

[phrigndumass]

61. Great endorsement!

:thumbsup:

[snooper2]

76. NARAL

is dead to Hillary :rofl:









GOBAMA!

[grantcart]

78. where have all the Clinton supporters gone?

[me b zola]

80. K&R

:kick:

[NJmaverick]

87. They, unlike so many of Hillary's backers, understand what's at stake

in terms of the Supreme Court. So they know Obama needs help, not some self centered person trying to bring him down.