Herman Cain Gets into Trouble on Abortion

The New American ^ | Monday, 24 October 2011 | Selwyn Duke

[Paladins Prayer]

While I don’t believe Cain is one of them, there are those who claim pro-life status while also maintaining that abortion shouldn’t be criminalized. They use the “I’m personally opposed to abortion but wouldn’t impose that belief on others” argument popularized by former New York governor Mario Cuomo in a famous 1984 Notre Dame University speech. But it cuts no ice. When you advocate allowing the choice to have an abortion, it is by definition the pro-choice position.

The reality is that being “personally opposed” to abortion doesn’t make one unique. There are no politicians campaigning to resurrect the Inca practice of sacrificing children during difficult times to appease the gods; there are no prominent figures giving speeches entitled “How Abortion Brightens My Day.” The personal-opposition argument is simply a dodge — and one you could apply to anything. Child abuse? Sure, I’m personally opposed. But if my neighbor wants to mangle his naughty son, well, I won’t impose my beliefs on him.

But what of rape and incest? Horrible crimes both, there certainly is pressure to accept abortion in such cases. Yet to do so is to lose the abortion debate. This is because the pro-life position hinges on two simple principles:

[Paladins Prayer]

I know that this story has been posted before, but this writer delves into the abortion issue. It's interesting.

[gitmogrunt]

Fold up the tent and turn off the lights and put it right next to Perrywinkles gear.

[Sherman Logan]

The personal-opposition argument is simply a dodge — and one you could apply to anything. Child abuse? Sure, I’m personally opposed. But if my neighbor wants to mangle his naughty son, well, I won’t impose my beliefs on him.

This was exactly the Douglass position on slavery in the Lincoln-Douglass debates.

[MNJohnnie]

Be nice if the author bothered to learn the facts rather then just regurgitate the junk media spin.

What Cain actually said.

"I believe that life begins at conception. And abortion under no circumstances," Cain said. Morgan asked Cain if that meant he felt the procedure was impermissible in cases of rape and incest, which many anti-abortion activists and conservatives carve out exceptions for.

Cain reiterated that there were "no circumstances" under which he supported abortion.

"If one of your female children, grandchildren was raped, you would honestly want her to bring up that baby as her own?" Morgan asked. Cain said that Morgan was "mixing" questions, but then replied:

"No, it comes down to it's not the government's role or anybody else's role to make that decision. Secondly, if you look at the statistical incidents, you're not talking about that big a number. So what I'm saying is it ultimately gets down to a choice that that family or that mother has to make. Not me as president, not some politician, not a bureaucrat. It gets down to that family. And whatever they decide, they decide. I shouldn't have to tell them what decision to make for such a sensitive issue."

I don't know how he could make it any clearer then this.

[Strategerist]

Well, you’re never going to get criminalization of abortion in this universe.

That position, and any extension to incest or rape, is absolute political suicide. A third of the country are independents and either position will lose you every female independent from now till the end of time.

[HerrBlucher]

And the smear goes on, pathetic. You would think that people would actually learn facts before spouting off their fat yapper, but nooooooooo. Then again, I guess that is the very definition of a smear.

[Sacajaweau]

In other words....if he were a woman, he would never have an abortion. That's pro life (and one of the options of pro-choice)

But as far as everyone else, it's their choice. That makes him pro choice.

[McGavin999]

Clear as mud. I’ve never seen even a suggestion that government requires, mandates, or even suggests that a woman have to raise a child that is the result of rape.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

Fact: Herman Cain has been pro-life and anti-abortion for many years. This is a non issue being pushed by media, the Democrats and the Republican establishment types. It has no legs and will go nowhere!!! Move on, nothing to see here!!! Cain will continue to well, all across the country!!! Do not underestimate, the determined “For America”, Mr. Cain!!! If this fine, patriotic gentleman begins to attract substantial support from Black & Hispanic Americans, he is going to be not only a winner, but a positive game changer for every citizen in the USA. He brings to the table, freedom, equality, liberty, opportunity, small federal government, creativity, innovation, etc. And.....take my word for it, with each succeeding debate, Herman Cain will get more skilled at public debate and pressure. This POTUS quest is just beginning!!!

[justsaynomore]

The Facts:

Herman Cain is personally and politically, 100% Pro-life

He is committed to:
1) Supporting and signing Pro-Life legislation
2) Appointing Pro-Life Supreme Court Justices
3) Defunding Planned Parenthood
4) He is for a Constitutional Amendment banning abortion (as well as gay marriage)
5) He has a HISTORY of active, not just verbal, support of pro-life issues

SOURCES BELOW
________________

10/22/11 - Herman Cain Exclusive: Tells Brody File He Will Support Constitutional Amendments on Life and Marriage
http://blogs.cbn.com/thebrodyfile/archive/2011/10/22/herman-cain-exclusive-tells-brody-file-he-will-support-constitutional.aspx

10/21/11 - National Right To Life: Cain is Fully Pro Life
http://www.lifenews.com/2011/10/21/national-right-to-life-herman-cain-is-fully-pro-life/

6/24/11 - National Right to Life Conference Speech
http://hermancainissues.com/speeches/right-to-life-conference-speech-62411/

Herman Cain on Abortion
http://www.ontheissues.org/2012/Herman_Cain_Abortion.htm

2006 - African American Businessman Spends 1M to Urge Blacks to Vote Pro-Life
http://www.lifenews.com/2006/09/13/nat-2583/

5/11 - Herman Cain Reaffirms Commitment to Pro-Life Principles
http://secure.campaigner.com/Campaigner/Public/t.show?LVMF—8Oz3-WCSgU7

10/17/11 - Cain Picks Clarence Thomas as Model for Supreme Court Pick
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/232604/20111017/herman-cain-clarence-thomas-supreme-court.htm

2004 - Herman Cain blasts Roe v. Wade (Free Republic - http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1063707/posts

5/17/11 - Alveda King - Yes. In our many conversations Mr. Cain has remained solid for life, marriage and family.
http://www.priestsforlife.org/africanamerican/blog/index.php/is-herman-cain-pro-life

1/18/11 - Herman Cain: Defund Racist Planned Parenthood Abortion Biz
http://www.lifenews.com/2011/01/18/herman-cain-defund-racist-planned-parenthood-abortion-biz/

2004 - Herman Cain was endorsed by the Georgia Right-To-Life PAC in the 2004 US Senate GOP primary.

________________

Life, liberty & pursuit of happiness starts with unborn life
The Founding Fathers got it right. The Founding Fathers got it right because of those fundamental principles: life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They also got it in the right order. That wasn’t an accident. Their vision meant that you could pursue happiness in America as long as you don’t infringe upon the liberties of somebody else. And
you can pursue all the liberties that you want as long as you don’t infringe upon the life of anybody else. And that
starts with the life of the unborn.
Source: , May 1, 2011
_________________

Defund Planned Parenthood; intent was to kill black babies
I absolutely would defund Planned Parenthood—not because I don’t believe in planning parenthood, [but because]
Planned Parenthood as an organization is an absolute farce on the American people.

People who know the history of Margaret Sanger, who started Planned Parenthood, they know that the intention was not to help young women who get pregnant to plan their parenthood. No—it was a sham to be able to kill black babies.
Source: Interview on the Bryan Fischer radio show , Jan 18, 2011
_____________

I believe that life begins at conception, period. And that means that I will have to see enough evidence that someone
would appoint shares that same view. I believe that the current Supreme Court is leaning too much to the liberal side. ...there is no way I would compromise my religious beliefs about the sanctity of life. And so it starts with, will they have demonstrated, in some of their other rulings, if they come from the federal judge bench, whether or not they also share that.

Because I believe that the principles that our Founding Fathers cherished, when they founded this country, and wrote the Declaration of Independence which inspired the Constitution, they were based upon biblical principles. I want to get back to those principles as president, if I run and get elected—not rewrite those documents.
ontheissues.org

[MNJohnnie]

The 9th Commandment is not a suggestion. Bearing false witness is still a sin.

Cain's words are right there for you to read.

[avacado]

"But as far as everyone else, it's their choice. That makes him pro choice. "

He's talking about whether the mother of rape should raise the baby or give the baby up by force of the government. Sheeze...

[Paladins Prayer]

Folks, you might actually want to read the article. The author says that he believes Cain is truly pro-life. He just uses the flap as an opportunity to write about deeper issues. I wouldn’t post a hit piece on Cain. I support him.

[Eagle of Liberty]

1) Herman Cain has stated that he will nominate judges who will overturn Roe v. Wade.....really the only thing that he can do as a President while also using the bully pulpit to advocate for CHOOSE LIFE, which he will do.

2) Democrats LOVE when we argue over social aspects. It is the ONLY plank that they can get us to effectively argue over in this election cycle. Congratulations!! You have put a smile on a Democrat’s face today.

[McGavin999]

I have read his words, that's not the point and you know it. You are attempting to claim he said the government has no right to force a woman to raise a child of rape and I am saying that is ridculous because there is no place anywhere that the government says, suggests, forces, or even attempts to force a woman not to raise a child of rape. To believe that was what he meant was to state that Herman set up a straw man to knock it down. What Herman did was argue both sides of an issue. That means he did not have the courage to stand up for life, CLEARLY and unequivably instead he took both sides and muddied up the waters enough for people to be confused about where he stands.

You don't have to believe that, but more and more people do believe it and there is nothing Herman can do to put that genie back in the bottle. He didn't do it once, he did it twice once on Stossels show and again with Piers Morgan. That's not a mistake or a mispeak.

[Paladins Prayer]

Not as long as the current republic stands. But never is a very long time. You do realize that America will soon collapse, don’t you? And when civilization is reconstituted, a lot will change (for better or worse).

[sickoflibs]

Cain did not give the response I would have.

But the more I watched the pro-abort liberals play the Cain clip and attack him for not shooting himself in the foot by stating either of the two choices he was given to respond:

1) Abortion should be legal, or
2) He thinks the government should have the power to direct a pregnant woman's life.

the more I appreciate Cain's response not agreeing with either of the two.

This is a favorite ‘attack’ setup question used to try to alienate and split Republican voters, because it is designed to be no-win. When a host/interviewer is (obviously) on the other side of the interviewed guest it is no longer an interview, it is a hostile debate. By following the rules of a ‘interview’ Republicans usually get setup and slaughtered. To win against a lib host you need to re-frame the question and then throw it back at him, not try to answer directly.

I saw both Joe Scarbouro and Britt Hume phony lament about how this will hurt Cain with ‘pro-life’ voters. Both the liberals on MSNBC and the establishment Republicans both are together on this.

[Anima Mundi]

I am still thinking this through, but it seems that maybe it is possible to believe a thing is morally wrong and yet that it should not be made illegal. An example would be liquor. While someone could believe it is morally wrong and causes all sorts of mayhem in society, they may look at what happened during prohibition and think that maybe laws aren’t the right answer. I tend to think that this issue is just being used as a tool to undermine conservative candidates and get them fighting with one another.

[HerrBlucher]

Comparing liguor to human beings is beyond even apples and oranges. Abortion is MURDER not a vice. However, it doesn’t matter, Cain clearly wants abortion to be illegal, period, no exceptions.

[DJ MacWoW]

Do You Want FR To Survive?

Click The Starving Forum Skeleton To Donate

Then Support Your Forum