What the candidates are saying about the "partial birth abortion" vote...

in the Senate yesterday. Here's what mine had to say:

"As a physician, I am outraged that the Senate has decided it is qualified to practice medicine. There is no such thing as 'partial birth abortion' in medical literature. But there are times when a doctor is called upon to perform a late term abortion to save a woman's life or protect her from serious injury. Today the Senate took a step toward making it a crime for a doctor to perform such medically necessary procedures.

"This bill will chill the practice of medicine and endanger the lives of countless women. This kind of legislation serves the sole purpose of chipping away women's constitutionally protected reproductive rights and overturning Roe v. Wade."

Howard Dean 10/21/03

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Have any of the other candidates made remarks?

He seems to actually give a shit about women, their lives and their health.

Haven't heard anything from the others, but I've been trying to avoid listening for any. One head explode per day is pretty much my limit.

Dean is correct and I admire him for the candor.

Florida's fast track legislation to save a brain dead person is a similar "emotional law." Outlawing Partial Birth abortion and "saving" a brain dead person appear noble, but are emotional rather than pragmatic efforts.

If this is any indication of how the Republican nits in politics operate in other facets of their job I can now unstand how we got in this mess.

Howard has the guts AND the expertise to show this travesty for what it is--a way to make sure women 'stay in their place'. I'm even gladder I wrote ten letters for Dean yesterday!

http://www.johnkerry.com/news/releases/pr_2003_1021c.html

10/21/2003: John Kerry said, “This vote is a step backwards for women as George Bush’s stealth agenda to roll back the right to choose is pushed forward. The Supreme Court has already struck down as unconstitutional similar legislation because it does not allow an exception for the health of a mother and I am hopeful that the courts will immediately review it again. This is further evidence that we can't afford a president who refuses to commit to appoint judges who will uphold the right to choose and the right to privacy. It is time for a President who will have the courage to stand up to the right wing assault on the rights of women.”

I wish more people would speak up about the goverment making medical decisions angle of this bill. Not faulting Kerry - he nailed the part about a stealth attack on reproductive rights.

I agree that I like Dean's "medical angle" a lot -- to me it's one of the most cogent arguments, that the Senate should not be practicing medicine. But Kerry does bring up the judges issue, which is smart. And they both highlight how this could be just the first step in the decline of womens' right to choose. So I say: Hoorah for both of 'em.

(Edit: had to re-read Dean's statement)

I don't know if he made a statement; I just looked at the votes.

Both Gep and Dennis voted against the ban.