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We Democrats are hearing we need to be more competitive on the abortion issue. The solution, however, is to change our focus rather than our position.

I have yet to meet anyone who is pro-abortion. Democrats have never argued that women should get abortions. We have always argued that some women will seek abortions whether safe, legal procedures are available or not. When the procedure is outlawed wealthy women get safe abortions and poor women get dangerous procedures done by poorly trained charlatans.

Recognizing that people have differing opinions over when a pregnancy must be aborted and when it is improper to abort it, Democrats support leaving the decision to the person most effected and her doctor. Our stand is one affirming the sanctity of an individual's responsibility.

The one common ground between people who support allowing women to make their own decisions and those who want to return to the days when a woman couldn't get safe medical treatment to end a pregnancy is the common belief that an abortion is never desired. We should be working together to find ways to reduce the incidence of abortion.

If we took that approach we might find far fewer abortions performed than we would be simply banning a medical procedure that isn't going away whether it is legal and licensed or an act prohibited by law.

The subtle differences between former Indiana Congressman Tim Roemer and Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York demonstrate some choices Democrats are toying with. Roemer opposes abortion except in cases of rape, incest and the health of the mother.

Roemer included his stand on the subject in a warning to the party as he dropped out of the race for Democratic National Committee chair.

Clinton recently told an audience of pro-choice supporters that abortion is a terrible choice and one that we all should work to make as rare as possible. She also affirmed her continued support for Roe v Wade and said she'd continue to fight for access to safe medical treatment for all women that includes all options for ending pregnancies.

Not everyone will work together. Suspicion runs deep in both camps.

We should find common ground and support women in all aspects of reproduction. We should look for ways to reduce teenage pregnancies that really work and quit relying solely on abstention.

We should find ways to reduce surprise pregnancies and make morning after pills available to rape victims. We should also give more support to women who find themselves with a surprise pregnancy. Maybe with more support (in prenatal medical care and counseling or even in financial assistance) women could comfortably choose alternatives to aborting the pregnancy.

However, we should also reaffirm our commitment to keeping all medical procedures available through qualified doctors, performed in safe environments.


posted by Unknown at 10:46 PM