South Dakota Voters Defeat Second Ballot Measure to Ban Most Abortions

LifeNews.com ^ | November 5, 2008 | Steven Ertelt

[BearArms]

Pierre, SD (LifeNews.com) -- For a second time, the voters of South Dakota defeated a state ballot measure that would have banned most abortions after defeating a similar measure two years ago. The 2006 ban would have only allowed abortions to save the life of the mother and the 2008 ban added rape and incest exceptions with the hope of persuading more pro-life voters to support it.

Instead, South Dakota voters defeated Initiated Measure 11 by a 55-45 percentage point margin.

The margin was similar to the vote last time around despite the attempt to appeal to the majority of voters who said in 2006 that they would support a ban with the additional exceptions..

[BearArms]

This is a fairly surprising result. This particular ban had all of the standard exceptions most pro-lifers support, yet it still went down in conservative South Dakota by a similar margin as last election's total ban.

There seems to be a kind of "Bradley Effect" where these abortion restriction measures are concerned. I've seen it a few times now. The actual pro-life vote for the measure turns out to be substantially less than you would expect from looking at pre-election polls.

[goldstategop]

It seems Americans pro life support is only confined to rhetoric. That is how they can elect a pro-abortion candidate to the presidency without any qualms.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[SolidWood]

How this civilization has fallen...

[SMCC1]

That’s a real shame. But we can’t ever let the left declare the “culture wars” over. It’s just too important, especially abortion. That fight has to continue no matter what.

[goldstategop]

The lesson here is not to compromise on your values. The Left will reject compromise anyway. I want to defeat them not to make peace with them.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[tomymind]

I agree. This is one of the saddest news of the day.

[joesbucks]

There is still a pro-choice desire in this country. The pro-life movement better learn that.

That's why this issue was set up to be a challenged law. It was designed to go to the courts. It was not about SD law, it was about judicial activism.

[goldstategop]

We must NEVER cede ground on life and on traditional values. We must keep going back again and again and again as long as it takes until our aims are achieved.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[EternalVigilance]

The lesson here is not to compromise on your values. The Left will reject compromise anyway. I want to defeat them not to make peace with them.

You learn real good.

[Def Conservative]

The pro-life movement will never grow if we continue to lose the framing war and right now we are being framed as the idiot crazies who want to send women to the chair.

[Truthsearcher]

I’m getting that feeling too.

That many can intellectually admit it to be wrong, but are unwilling to do anything about it, maybe because in the end sex without consequences is too strong a temptation to turn down.

[goldstategop]

If we can't protect life in a Red State when voters there say NO - how will we protect it elsewhere?

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[allmost]

It’s still falling. I worry for my loved ones.

[SoDak]

I have to wonder if there’s any coming back on this issue, or if the electorate at large isn’t seeing it as an inevitability, and settled law. I have female friends who vote rat consistently because of a pro-choice stance.

[Elvina]

I agree. They should have gone for a total ban: no exceptions. Either a preborn baby is an innocent human life with dignity or it isn’t. There are no exceptions made for circumstances of conception. Otherwise we would have to start treating children born from rape as second-class citizens. Then explain why natural rights exist, instead of pandering to those who don’t understand the issue.

[Salvation]

~ PRAYER ~

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle
 Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we  humbly pray,
 and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
 by the power of God,
 Thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits
who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
 Amen
+

[joesbucks]

You change hearts. You lead, not push or pull to the right conclusion.

The pro-life movement wants to push or pull everyone to it's value system. It really needs to learn to address the heart change. But a movement lead by Type-A' s finds that very difficult to do.

[ajay_kumar]

There is still a pro-choice desire in this country. The pro-life movement better learn that.

You are correct! We don't want government making decisions on abortions, firearms, sexual conduct and censorship, education, etc. These are all rights of individuals. We don't need big brother telling us how to live our lives. We can choose our own moral codes to live by.

[DemonDeac]

“It seems Americans pro life support is only confined to rhetoric. That is how they can elect a pro-abortion candidate to the presidency without any qualms. “

If what was such an important issue to most Americans the Roe wouldn’t still be here thirty-five years later. Horrible to say or think but its true. We are more pro-life in our rhetoric than in our reality. IF SD can’t ban it where can we?

[NinoFan]

Tough crap. We WILL ban this disgusting practice one day soon.