Obama ‘Nuances’ Abortion Question
Not too long ago, Barack Obama answered “that is above my pay grade” to a question posed by Pastor Rick Warren – in a televised debate or townhall meeting more or less – about abortion. When does human life begin, Warren asked the Democratic nominee.
To many people, this is an important question. Perhaps, indeed, the political and moral question of the modern world.
It is all related to abortion, of course. Social Conservatives, especially Christian Conservatives, believe that human life starts at conception. That is also the answer Senator John McCain gave to the question when asked to him.
But Obama indicated that he had not thoroughly thought the subject through. This even though it is a vital question to so many Americans. He was slammed by many people, trying to determine whether he simply had not thought about it, was humble during the interview, or whether there was something else going on; for instance that he did not want to anger anyone and, therefore, decided not to answer the question directly.
On Sunday, Obama nuanced his words. “What I intended to say is that, as a Christian, I have a lot of humility about understanding when does the soul enter into … It’s a pretty tough question. And so, all I meant to communicate was that I don’t presume to be able to answer these kinds of theological questions,” he explained.
“What I do know is that abortion is a moral issue, that it’s one that families struggle with all the time. And that in wrestling with those issues, I don’t think that the government criminalizing the choices that families make is the best answer for reducing abortions.”
“I think the better answer — and this was reflected in the Democratic platform — is to figure out, how do we make sure the young mothers, or women who have a pregnancy that’s unexpected or difficult, have the kind of support they need to make a whole range of choices, including adoption and keeping the child,” he added.
His answer will undoubtedly not comfort Christian conservatives, but those who are moderate on this issue can probably recognize themselves in Obama’s words. After all, these voters will say, it is difficult to determine when human life starts, when the soul enters the body. That is something faith dictates, not science. As such, it is difficult if not impossible, they will say, for the government to say anything worthwhile about it.
« To many people, this is an important question. Perhaps, indeed, the political and moral question of the modern world.»
In USA, probably, but in many European country, certainly not. The importance of this question in USA is a sign of archaism of US society.
« After all, these voters will say, it is difficult to determine when human life starts, when the soul enters the body. »
The best, about it, is to ask to the physicians. Here, in France, the response is: the human life starts really with the childbirth. I do not believe that the response could be different in USA.
It would have been better for him to stand his ground rather than coming up with a pathetic answer as such. The answer "it is above my pay grade" is such a reflection of his efforts of trying to appeal to anybody and everybody – and in the end managing to piss off both sides – or worse – reiterating the already formed convictions in peoples’ minds of his incompentency to lead (people = me). If you are as clearly a pro-choice candidate as Obama is, why not stand your ground on this issue without seeming like trying to court Christian conservatives but failing to succeed in doing so anyway? You need to take a fricking stance, and it appears like Obama is not taking it. He was hedging his bets with all his answers. In fact, all his talk regarding real issues (such as taking a stance against Russia or not) feels like he is hedging bets. That’s not what Americans find attractive in their leaders, if I’ve observed correctly. They would rather have someone who will make mistakes than another who will appear like trying to please anybody and everybody.