In today’s Washington Times, Erika Bachiochi talks about the overall significance of abortion in the current campaign. First, she gives us one of the most important issues in this campaign: the eventual appointment of Supreme Court justices. More than anything else, this is the presidential power that has the most effect on the abortion debate. And with Chief Justice Rehnquist ailing, you know at least one and up to three seats will be up for grabs in the next term. (Although we were predicting that in the last election, it becomes even more likely now.)
Also, abortion is not as widely popular as some would have you believe. In fact, because the media is so dominated by the pro-abortion mentality, all we see in print or on the air is the false construct of an America where abortion is widely supported by the majority. But in reality only 22 percent of Americans believe that the status quo of abortion on demand is a good thing. Sixty one percent want strict limitations (36 percent want only for rape, incest, and life of the mother cases; 25 percent want a complete ban.) I wish the polls would break it down to include the Catholic posiiton; not legal in cases of rape and incest, but legal in cases where the mother’s life is in danger. (That is the case where the baby’s death is not intended, but is a side effect of saving the mother’s; it’s not the ideal, but it is permissible. I know I’m not expressing the teaching well, but maybe someone else can do a better job.)
And so that leaves us with a stark choice: John Kerry, whose views are extreme and popular only with the fringe, or George W. Bush, who while not perfect on the issue, would at least offer much more hope for the unborn. It’s not even a choice for me.
