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Kmiec Discusses Abortion Views of Obama and McCain

By Howard M. Friedman

Catholic Online today publishes a fascinating interview with law professor Doug Kmiec who recently attended, along with some 30 religious leaders, a meeting with Barack Obama. (See prior posting.) Kmiec focuses on the two candidates' views on abortion. He says:

Senator Obama's position accepts the existing legal regime which leaves the abortion decision with the mother -- which is all right so long as the mother is persuaded to choose life. Senator McCain's position would leave the decision with the individual states -- which is all right so long as the individual states prohibit abortion. Since we are assured of neither, neither position is fully pro-life.

In truth, both positions are pro-choice, with the former focused on the individual and the latter focused on the state.... From a standpoint of subsidiarity and prudence, one can make an argument that the Obama position is preferable since it does not arrogate to a higher level that which can be done more effectively below in direct relationship with the mother.... I respectfully disagree with both Senator Obama and Senator McCain since the Constitution was intended as a means to enforce and guarantee the unalienable right to life....

Full post as published by Religion Clause on June 17, 2008 (boomark / email).