RNC Chair Michael Steele: Abortion is “individual choice”
UPDATE, 3/12, 9:45p: The Steele abortion flap has grown throughout the day.
For conservatives, Steele is becoming the focus of pent up wrath toward Republicans who tell pro-lifers what they want to hear to their face but then melt on the pro-life issue when in a different crowd or when it’s time to vote. Wrote Tony Perkins of FRC in a press release this afternoon:
This only serves to reinforce the belief by many social conservatives that one major party is unfriendly while the other gives only lip service to core moral issues, which is why many have dropped their affiliation with the GOP. If such a visible Republican leader continues in this same vein I am sure the trend will continue. The prospects of more social conservatives leaving may excite the “big tenters,” but that will only last until they find the Big Tent is empty.
Those were words to be taken seriously.
Meanwhile, the opening schism got lots of press. My Politico quote as well as quotes from other pro-lifers ended up on CNN and CBS as well as People for the American Way (two times) and even Celebrity Gossip Guide. All smell blood. Politico even did a follow-up story.
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UPDATE, 3/12, 11:35a: Steele’s nemesis for the RNC top spot, Ken Blackwell, has weighed in…
Chairman Steele, as the leader of America’s Pro-Life conservative party, needs to re-read the Bible, the U.S. Constitution, and the 2008 GOP Platform. He then needs to get to work — or get out of the way.”
Ew.
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UPDATE, 3/12, 10:50a: Think Progress likes my Politico quote. See “Steele bends under far-right pressure: ‘I am pro-life, always have been, always will be.'”
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UPDATE, 3/12, 9:55a:FRC’s Tony Perkins has issued a statement.
[HT: Matt Lewis]
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3/12: What in the world? I wouldn’t believe this if I hadn’t read it for myself, noting the interviewer made sure RNC Chairman Michael Steele was saying what it appeared he was saying.
From the GQ blog, March 11:
GQ: How much of your pro-life stance, for you, is informed not just by your Catholic faith but by the fact that you were adopted?
Steele: Oh, a lot. Absolutely. I see the power of life in that – I mean, and the power of choice! The thing to keep in mind about it… Uh, you know, I think as a country we get off on these misguided conversations that throw around terms that really misrepresent truth.
GQ: Explain that….
Steele: The choice issue cuts two ways. You can choose life, or you can choose abortion. You know, my mother chose life. So, you know, I think the power of the argument of choice boils down to stating a case for one or the other.
GQ: Are you saying you think women have the right to choose abortion?
Steele: Yeah. I mean, again, I think that’s an individual choice.
GQ: You do?
Steele: Yeah. Absolutely.
GQ: Are you saying you don’t want to overturn Roe v. Wade?
Steele: I think Roe v. Wade – as a legal matter, Roe v. Wade was a wrongly decided matter.
GQ: Okay, but if you overturn Roe v. Wade, how do women have the choice you just said they should have?
Steele: The states should make that choice. That’s what the choice is. The individual choice rests in the states. Let them decide.
GQ: Do pro-choicers have a place in the Republican Party?
Steele: Absolutely!
GQ: How so?
Steele: You know, Lee Atwater said it best: We are a big-tent party. We recognize that there are views that may be divergent on some issues, but our goal is to correspond, or try to respond, to some core values and principles that we can agree on.
GQ: Do you think you’re more welcoming to pro-choice people than Democrats are to pro-lifers?
Steele: Now that’s a good question. I would say we are. Because the Democrats wouldn’t allow a pro-lifer to speak at their convention. We’ve had many a pro-choicer speak at ours – long before Rudy Giuliani. So yeah, that’s something I’ve been trying to get our party to appreciate. It’s not just in our words but in our actions, we’ve been a party that’s much more embracing….
That was last night. This morning Steele recanted in a statement, according to Ben Smith on Politico (where there is also a quote from me on the situation):
I am pro-life, always have been, always will be.
I tried to present why I am pro life while recognizing that my mother had a “choice” before deciding to put me up for adoption. I thank her every day for supporting life. The strength of the pro life movement lies in choosing life and sharing the wisdom of that choice with those who face difficult circumstances. They did that for my mother and I am here today because they did. In my view Roe vs. Wade was wrongly decided and should be repealed. I realize that there are good people in our party who disagree with me on this issue.
But the Republican Party is and will continue to be the party of life. I support our platform and its call for a Human Life Amendment. It is important that we stand up for the defenseless and that we continue to work to change the hearts and minds of our fellow countrymen so that we can welcome all children and protect them under the law.
That’s nice, but that is absolutely not what Steele said yesterday. Which time was he categorically misspeaking? Stein further noted:
Steele has also been reaching out to anti-abortion leaders to damp down the controversy, a source said.
Matt Lewis links to more posts pondering whether Steele is on his way out.
[HT: Matt Lewis; top photo courtesy of GQ; bottom photo courtesy of Getty]
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
Ugh, everyone…I just heard the most disturbing thing I’ve heard in a long time. Last night, my friend told me that someone he knows owed him 80 dollars, and when he went to get that money back, the guy said he didn’t have it. Know why? He had just gotten done paying for his girlfriend’s abortion. That’s horrible to begin with. BUT, my friend continued the story to say that this kid had NO MONEY AT ALL because his girlfriend was having TWINS, and the abortion provider CHARGED HIM DOUBLE. That’s so sick and so wrong on so many levels. I felt terrible last night after hearing that. *sad*
‘Pro-life’ is becoming a diluted term for two reasons. First – pro-choice, Obama supporters are trying to hijack the term to mean that being pro-family, pro-woman, pro-reduce-abortion is more pro-life than anything else. Second – Republican talking heads who talk the talk, but have done nothing actively pro-life other than vote ‘yes’ on abortion regulation bills.
In cases where you can’t judge a genuine pro-lifer by his actions, you can only measure his sincerity by the words he uses. Michael Steele, John McCain, Fred Thompson… all they talk about is Roe and states rights and support of the party platform. NEVER do they mention the child in the womb. Phooey.
The REAL pro-lifer will always refer to the humanity, dignity, and personhood of the preborn child. THAT’S how you tell the genuine pro-life person from the poser.
Waffle House apologetics. Apparently steel is not pro life
Steele = LOL
Ugh, everyone…I just heard the most disturbing thing I’ve heard in a long time. Last night, my friend told me that someone he knows owed him 80 dollars, and when he went to get that money back, the guy said he didn’t have it. Know why? He had just gotten done paying for his girlfriend’s abortion. That’s horrible to begin with. BUT, my friend continued the story to say that this kid had NO MONEY AT ALL because his girlfriend was having TWINS, and the abortion provider CHARGED HIM DOUBLE. That’s so sick and so wrong on so many levels. I felt terrible last night after hearing that. *sad*
Oh Lyssie, that hurts to think about. :(
I think he’s thinking that the PROBLEM with the Republican party is the Pro-Life thing.
HE’S wrong! It’s that not many in his party hold to conservative values and won’t WALK by those values either.
Jill – I think what some need – even me – what would an America that’s had legalized unfettered (pretty much) abortion look like where it is made illegal by the stroke of a pen?
I think that women would still have accessibility to abortion through an M.D. when there’s a threat on the mother’s life OR the baby is malformed or a molar pregnancy.
But really what would a Pro-Life America look like? I think that’s what Michael Steele needs is a pic of what it looks like.
We’re never going to have a Dr. James Dobson or Tony Perkins running for office – UNFORTUNATELY.
Would treating a molar pregnancy be considered an abortion? I don’t think so…
Okay, who’s up for a major third party?
Let’s cut through all the c**p and just form a pro-life party. The Republicans are not our friends, they just want to keep our votes, so they give lip service to abortion but rarely commitment or action.
I ain’t the only single-issue voter out here. Why are we still trying to get these politicians to listen to us? They’re not going to listen unless we stop voting for them.
Stanek for president in 2012!
regarding Jasper’s quote of the day,
When I read the Tribune article, I couldn’t help but think, where are these people’s families?
I mean, no matter how poor you are, you can move in with family even if it means all of you in a one bedroom apt. That is still better than killing someone in your own family. You can get pre natal care through county clinics, etc.
The one woman who aborted at 14 weeks didn’t sound like she had exhausted the possibilities. It is so sad that our society promotes killing people over better financial planning, or even begging family for help. I mean wouldn’t you rather humble yourself and ask for help before killing your own child?
I remember people in my family lived in sod huts out in the Dakotas. True deprivation in the material sense, yet were loving to their children who had but one set of clothes.
How dishonorable we are to tolerate violence in the service of pride and materialism.
Lyssie,
My heart is breaking over what you wrote. :( Twins?
If you know the mom and day of the twins and they are struggling with the deaths of their babies please get them in touch with me or with
The National Helpline for Abortion Recovery
1-866-482-LIFE
Cranky Catholic at March 12, 2009 11:00 AM
Cranky, you are exactly right.
Carla,
I know, it’s sad. I have no idea who the parents are…it’s just a guy that my friend knows. I don’t even think he’s really friends with him either, but was just willing to help him out financially. He was under the impression that his money was going to help the guy pay off ANOTHER person that was after him financially. *sigh*
Lyssie,
I wanted to reply to your post this morning, but the baby pre-occupied me :) The situation is very saddening indeed. I know you said that it isn’t someone you yourself know, but I know how it’s just so disturbing when it hits that close to home. I will keep everyone involved in that situation in prayer. God love you, Lyssie.
Most cultures beleive that twins are sacred. But not this culture. So sad…..
Oh and to comment on this so called ‘pro-lifer’, your giving America a distorted view on how pro-lifers are. We are not like you, we don’t go back on our words.
Steele in entitled to his views.
From one Bobby to another, true dat.
Okay, who’s up for a major third party?
Let’s cut through all the c**p and just form a pro-life party. The Republicans are not our friends, they just want to keep our votes, so they give lip service to abortion but rarely commitment or action.
I ain’t the only single-issue voter out here. Why are we still trying to get these politicians to listen to us? They’re not going to listen unless we stop voting for them.
Stanek for president in 2012!
Posted by: YCW at March 12, 2009 11:33 AM
I dont blame you for feeling that way, with so many RINOs.
In Canada I disowned our “conservative” government when the leader said he would not allow the abortion debate to be opened again. Currently we have NO abortion laws whatsoever in this country which means a woman can legally abort right up to due date if she can find a doctor willing to do it.
So for that reason I’m supporting The Christian Heritage Party. The only true pro life party in this country. And we have 3 other federal parties.
Steele should be aborted now as RNC head.
If Steele doesn’t resign immediately I will immediately cahnge from Republican to Independent.
Hisman: “If Steele doesn’t resign immediately I will immediately cahnge from Republican to Independent.”
Im already there. I vote Republican 9 times out of 10, but I would not call myself a Republican. I dont know what to do politically, honestly.
Oliver 10:59am
I have always considered myself an Independent and will not give a dime to either party.
I got a donation request from our state Republican Party.
My response was that when you folks grow a pair and truly stand for something, contact me again.
Lyssie 10:04am
Its so nice to see you again. I hope all is well.
A very sad story indeed.
Ironically, a cousin of mine was almost aborted when her mother was thought to have miscarried and began bleeding. This was long before the days of ultrasound so the doctor had no way of knowing she was carrying twins, or much of anything else. Apparently she miscarried one of the twins and as the doctor began the D&C he discovered my aunt was still pregnant. I don’t know how, perhaps it was a more advanced pregnancy.
He stopped immediately and my aunt went to term with my cousin, who is now around 65 y/0.
If Steele doesn’t resign immediately I will immediately cahnge from Republican to Independent.
Posted by: HisMan at March 12, 2009 10:39 PM
He hasn’t resigned yet. Your move.
There are so many things that I dislike about the Republican Party, this just adds one more.
Anonymous posts are disfavored at Jill’s site.
My, my the RushLimbican party at war with itself!
Pass the popcorn.
Bystander 6:38PM
We have the blue dog Democrats and Democrat senators opposing Obama. The 4th Treasury nominee has withdrawn. Rush Limbaugh’s ratings are going up.
Pass the popcorn!
Ah Mary, how comforting it must be for you to live in a Faux Noise/Rush Limbaugh fantasy world, safely protected from any unpleasant encounters with reality.
Amusing how “pro lifers” always proclaim themselves”independents” and claim they are voting for a third party, (like James Dobson’s bi-yearly Hamlet act before endorsing the Repub candidate) and then, of course, vote Repub.
Has it ever occured to you that the reason the Repubs never give you more than lip service is that you automatically vote for them, and they don’t need to do anything to get your vote?
Bystander 10:17am
Speaking of a fantasy world, wouldn’t you agree that our Fearless Leader should be focusing on the economy(have you noticed how the stock market tumbles every time he opens his mouth?)rather than fixating on a talk show host?
Bystander 10:26am
“Has it ever occured to you that the reason the Repubs never give you more than lip service is that you automatically vote for them, and they need to do anything to get your vote”.
For your info Bystander, I vote strictly for the candidate and always have. Unlike certain Democrat constituencies such as unions, minorities, etc., I do not give blind devotion to any political party.
BTW, by changing “Repub” to “Democrat” you could be asking this exact same question of Black Americans.
oops. That should read”…and they don’t need to do anything to get your vote”.
I’ve always hesitated to align myself with the Republicans for the same reason I refuse to identify myself as belonging to a particular denomination. Unless your commitment is to Truth and thus, to Jesus, you will lose your way and become caught up in silly things that have nothing to do with the ultimate GOAL, which is doing what’s right for God’s sake.
Bush was wrong on many things in my opinion, and yet he was the big guy, the president, the #1 Republican in this country. When he allowed embryonic stem cell research on a limited basis, that was yet another issue where I disagreed with him.
I’m sure you all have (I hope) read the dozens of quotes from our founding fathers regarding the inseperability of God and a happy, secure nation. That’s precisely what has happened here. Even the supposed “conservatives” are weak because they lack the core neccessary to preserve good principles.
The only thing I can do, and the only choice I have is to vote for the candidate whom I believe most closely follows God’s (and our founding father’s) principles for government. Although I have nothing but respect for George Bush’s courage that kept us safe from terrorist attacks for nearly eight years, it’s unfortunate that he fell short of doing what was right in many areas.
Mary 11:13 The imminent firing of Michael Steele reinforces to African Americans that they can never be white enough and never be far right enough to be Repubs. They vote overwhelmingly for Dems, because that party represents their interests and values.
One of the leading contenders for his job is a hard-core segregationist who belongs to an all-white club. Perfect qualification to lead the Republicans.
Once the Repubs purge everyone who is not a white, far right religious extremist, their convention can be held in a pup tent.
Bystander 1:06PM
LOL. Democrats respresent Black interests and values!
A brief history lesson Bystander.
The Ku Klux Klan was founded as the terrorist arm of the Democrat Party.
The “Jim Crow” South of segregation and lynchings was run by Democrats, who instituted segregation.
Anti-lynching laws were opposed by Democrats and supported by Republicans
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were passed only because President Johnson could get help from Republicans in the Congress and Senate. Democrats were too busy filibustering.
One of those filibustering Democrats, ex-klansman and klan recruiter Robert Byrd, remains in the US senate to this day. Democrats never saw fit to ask him to resign or support a primary candidate against him. Even using the term “white n—–” on national tv didn’t get him in trouble.
Most people base their decisions on recent history, not distortions and grudges from 50-100 years ago.
Curious how an “independent” has to defend every Republican and demonize every Democrat.
Much as I enjoy your far right wing talking points, I have better things to do…
Bystander,
Much of this history is more recent than you think. I well remember the 1964 and 1965 Acts. Senator Byrd is not yet history.
I never demonized anyone, you did. I’m only stating historical fact.
Speaking of blacks “not right wing enough to be Republicans”, have you seen this guy’s videos?
Macho Sauce Productions:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84u8SEdk09w
The first part of the video is a general update on the overwhelming success of his material. The second half is a rant on the liberals attempts to dehumanize the weak and the helpless, including embryos.
And for the only people commenting here who seem to care about race (including Bystander), you’ll notice that he is, indeed, black.
He gets called an “Uncle Tom” on an extremely regular basis by liberals who hate that he’s conservative. Liberals = race-baiters?
The rest of his videos are truly excellent. I strongly recommend watching all of them.
“Most people base their decisions on recent history, not distortions and grudges from 50-100 years ago.”
Posted by: Bystander at March 14, 2009 2:02 PM
——————————————————-
Do you know why so few people ‘think’?
Because it is the hardest work of all.
‘Most people’ are only concerned by what is in front of their nose at any give time.
‘Most people’ have no awareness of current events, much less recent events and have not a clue about historical context and perspective.
‘Most people’ opposed declaring our independence from England. It was those pesky Christians who just would not let it go.
‘Most people’ were content to maintain the status quo in regard to slavery. Son of a Blagojevich it was those bible thumpin Christians again would not stop agitatin.
‘Most people’ were not for allowing women to vote. Darn those moralizing, intolerant Christians they just kept at it til they wore the masters down and they gave women the power of the ballot.
I for one am not ‘most people’, nor do I care to be. ‘Most people’ voted for Barack Hussein Obama for President. That is a fool’s choice with which I do not wish to be associated.
I just want to be right no matter how many other people join me. Truth is always a majority of ONE>
yor bro ken
Laura 1:37PM
Apparently those who attack conservative blacks as “Uncle Toms” are woefully ignorant of who the real “Uncle Tom” really was.
Google: Josiah Henson
If the democrats are so horrible on Civil rights then why did Strom Thurmond have to run as a Dixiecrat? Under your theory he could have run as a Democrat? I guess the democrats weren’t racist enough for old Strom!
YLT,
I’m just giving you historical fact. Ex klansman and civil rights legislation filibusterer Robert Byrd has remained a powerful Democrat in the Senate for years, and Democrats apparently had no issue with this. You’ll notice he didn’t turn Dixiecrat…or Republican.
By the way, George(segregation forever) Wallace was also a Democrat as was police chief “Bull” Connor who was notorious for turning attack dogs and fire hoses on black civil rights demonstrators.