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Some NARAL members not happy with Obama endorsement

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor May 15, 2008 03:15 PM

The National Abortion Right Action League's endorsement of Barack Obama is getting quite a bit of blowback from within the organization itself.

Several state affiliates across the country have made clear that they are staying neutral in the Democratic race and that they had no say in the decision by the national group's Pro-Choice America political action committee.

The PAC said Wednesday it was acknowledging that Obama is the likely nominee -- and not slighting Hillary Clinton, whom it had supported throughout her political career, support she returned in kind. Female activists are among the most enthusiastic backers of Clinton, seeking to become the first woman elected president.

"It certainly generated a strong response from supporters of both Democratic presidential candidates," said Andrea Miller, executive director of NARAL in Massachusetts, which has 20,000 members. "We did hear from some members in the state. We made clear to them the endorsement was made by the national PAC and we had no input in the decision."

The political action committees of the state affiliates only get involved in state races. "Our role here is to work at the state level to promote choice," Miller said.

2 comments so far...
  1. Being a woman is just not enough. Being a rhetorical, irritating, success driven individual with upmost amounts of tenacity is not enough. Being a thoughtful and intelligent HUMAN at this very precarious time in our country's history IS VERY important in my agenda and you know who has my vote. Everyday, Hillary Clinton looks and sounds more and more like John McCain. It's hard to even look at her face as it seems she's turned into 'one of them' - not that she ever wasn't. There was a time when I was undecided betwix Obama and Clinton know what power she weilded - but that was more than 5 months ago. Mr. Obama continues to hold true to himself when Hillary is using her loudest voice to only pander. W. Virginia?? That win is only her loss. Wouldn't it be fun it we had a MRS. Obama (a black woman) to vote for. Now THAT would be a winning ticket!

    Posted by Robin May 15, 08 03:56 PM
  1. In 1997, Obama voted against SB 230, which would have turned doctors into felons by banning so-called partial-birth abortion, & against a 2000 bill banning state funding. "...these bills didn't include anything...to protect the health of the mother."
    http://www.ontheissues.org/Social/Barack_Obama_Abortion.htm

    "The Republicans...loved to hold votes on 'partial birth' and 'born alive'. . . because they wanted to pigeonhole Democrats" said Pam Sutherland, the president and CEO of the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council. Obama said "My members are being attacked. We need to figure out a way to protect members and to protect women"
    http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/07/obama-abortion-.html
    Sutherland convinced him to vote "present." A "present" was as good as an outright "no" because it kept the bills from reaching the majority needed to pass.

    April 28, 2008: Obama Criticizes Federal Partial Birth Abortion Ban - Claims dangerous procedure needed for women's health
    http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/apr/08042805.html

    In 8 years in IL senate, Obama voted 129 times PRESENT out of 4000 votes cast. That is only 3% yet he passed over 800 bills!
    www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2007/07/29/us/politics/20070730_OBAMA_GRAPHIC.html
    Illinois legislators often vote "present" and for a variety of reasons. Sometimes blocs of lawmakers do it as a protest...in other cases, lawmakers do it to signal objections to the details of a measure that they support in principle.

    Posted by Young Atheart May 15, 08 04:29 PM
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About political intelligence Field reports from Boston Globe reporters and editors covering the 2008 presidential campaign and the national maneuvering of Bay State politicians.

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