Abortion foe to address Democratic Convention

By Foon Rhee - Boston Globe
Wednesday, August 13, 2008 - Web Link
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August 13, 2008

While Barack Obama strongly supports abortion rights, his nominating convention will reach out to abortion opponents with a featured speaker and its party platform.

Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, who opposes abortion rights and gave Obama a key endorsement, is scheduled to speak on Tuesday, Aug. 25, the Associated Press is reporting.

Casey's father was snubbed by then-Democratic nominee Bill Clinton and refused a speaking spot in the 1992 Democratic convention, starting a series of political skirmishes between the two political clans.

Abortion foes are also hailing the proposed platform plank on abortion. The Washington Post reports that they are happy that it more explicitly offers support for women who decide to have babies, with pledges to ensure access to adoptions, prenatal and postnatal care, and monetary help for expectant mothers.

But the platform also has somewhat stronger language for abortion rights advocates. "The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman's right to choose a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay, and we oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right," it says. Previously, the plank has said abortion should be safe, legal, and "rare."