It’s been a little over a week since the horrible shooting at the Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, and politicians, more specifically Republican presidential candidates, still hold their ground against the organization in its time of need. This, among other issues should not be not be taken lightly in the months to come, as the primaries seem only a short time away. Candidates are certainly not afraid to share their opinions on the matter, and as women, shouldn’t we care a little more on this subject? The fates of millions of women who can’t afford their own healthcare, who count on these clinics are in jeopardy. It’s understandable that not everyone has the time to sit down and see what these possible presidents, leaders of our country have to say, but here are a few candidates that have shared their opinions time and time again on the subjects of abortion, contraception and female healthcare. I think you’ll find that it’s not black and white. Who do you agree with?
REPUBLICANS
Jeb Bush
1. “I defunded Planned Parenthood in Florida; do the same federally.” (Sept. 2015)
2. Funded adoption counseling, but not abortion counseling. (Dec. 2009)
3. Restrict abortions to incest, rape & health. (Jul. 1998)
Ben Carson
1. “Ban abortion more than 20 weeks after fertilization.” (May 2015)
2. “No abortion for convenience.” (Jan. 2014)
3. “The thought of abortion for convenience is repugnant.” (Jan. 2014)
Ted Cruz
1. “Planned Parenthood sells body parts of unborn human beings.” (Sept. 2015)
2. Allow vote to end Planned Parenthood’s funding. (Aug. 2015)
3. Prosecute Planned Parenthood for criminal violations. (Aug. 2015)
4. Companies can deny insuring birth control. (Apr. 2012)
Carly Fiorina
1. “Planned Parenthood harvested organs from living babies.” (Sept. 2015)
2. “Liberals believe in protecting flies, but not human life.” (Jan. 2015)
3. Endorsed as pro-life, fiscal conservative “Mama Grizzly”. (Nov. 2010)
4. Exceptions for rape, incest, and maternal endangerment. (Oct. 2010)
Donald Trump
1. “I have evolved on abortion issue, like Reagan evolved.” (Aug. 2015)
2. “Ban late abortions; exceptions for rape, incest or health.” (Jun. 2015)
3. “I am now pro-life; after years of being pro-choice.” (Apr. 2011)
Marco Rubio
1. “Barbarians of our age have murdered millions of the unborn.” (Aug. 2015)
2. “Ban abortion after 20 weeks.” (Apr. 2015)
3. Consensus that life begins at conception; so no abortion. (May 2014)
4. Pro-life, but understands that woman’s right is the law. (Jun. 2012)
Mike Huckabee
1. “Under my presidency, life would be really deemed precious.” (Sept. 2015)
2. “Apply 5th and 14th amendments to unborn child.” (Aug. 2015)
3. As president, would push for the repeal of Roe v. Wade. (May 2015)
4. “I am actively PRO-LIFE not just quietly pro-life.” (Nov. 2008)
DEMOCRATS
Hillary Clinton
1. “Make abortion rare by supporting adoption & foster care.” (Apr. 2008)
2. Consistently uses Democratic Party line, “safe, legal, and rare”. (Mar. 2008)
3. “Abortion is a sad, tragic choice to many women.” (May 2007)
4. “Being pro-choice is not being pro-abortion.” (Jan. 1999)
Martin O’Malley
1. “Abortions should be legal, without government restriction.” (May 2015)
2. Supports federal abortion funding. (Aug. 2010)
Bernie Sanders
1. Lifetime pro-choice record, plus funding for family planning. (Sept. 2015)
2. Advocate for family planning and funding for contraceptives. (Sept. 2015)
3. “Women have the right to choose, regardless of income.” (Jun. 1997)
OTHER…
Jill Stein
1. “Healthcare is a right, including women’s reproductive rights.” (Nov. 2012)
2. “Birth control should not be up to your employer.” (Oct. 2012)
This isn’t about Republicans vs. Democrats. This isn’t about anti abortion vs. pro choice. It’s about taking initiative and caring about politics and legislation that can affect millions of Americans, if not your own sex. Whatever your beliefs may be, understand both sides and see that it is not as black and white as the media seems to portray it. Not all Republicans believe that abortion is evil, and not all Democrats are pro-choice.
If you need proof of this, take a look at New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. He was wrong when he claimed in a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference that no “pro-life Democrat” has ever been allowed to speak at a Democratic National Convention. Christie claimed, “They’re the party of intolerance, not us.” Christie’s claim about anti-abortion Democrats is false.
Democratic Sen. Bob Casey Jr.—who began, “I am a pro-life senator”—delivered a prime time address during the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Another featured speaker at the 2008 Convention was Sen. Joe Manchin, who said from the floor of the Senate, “I am pro-life, and proud of it,” though he did not raise the issue in his speech at the convention.
The tragedy in Colorado Springs late this past November has not only showed us how deep this struggle goes, but that we need to come to a speedy resolution together. Let’s stop putting credit into a highly edited video and stop demonizing people for not agreeing with abortion. Let’s stop pretending that women’s healthcare isn’t being attacked. Let’s stop kidding ourselves.