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September 28, 2000 Presidential
candidates debate Stephanie
Mutert DES MOINES, Iowa- As the election season continues to heat up, yet another issue has been thrown on the fire. The abortion issue of this election has taken on a new element. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the use of the abortion pill, RU-486, by women to be prescribed by doctors. RU-486 has been on the market in Europe since 1990. The presidential candidates were forced to acknowledge the new decision on the abortion pill. During the first presidential debate in Boston, Oct. 3, the candidates discussed the issue of RU-486. Vice President Al Gore stated, "I do support that decision. They determined it was medically safe for the women who use that drug. (Bush) trusts the government to order a woman to do what he thinks she ought to do. I trust women to make the decisions that affect their lives, their destinies and their bodies. And I think a woman's right to choose ought to be protected and defended." George W. Bush's view on the same subject at the debate revolved around, "I was disappointed in the ruling because I think abortions ought to be more rare in America. And I'm worried that the pill causes more people to have abortions. I think a noble goal for this country is that every child, born and unborn, ought to be protected in law and welcomed into life. But I know we got to change a lot of minds before we get there in America. I hope the FDA took its time to make sure that American women will be safe who use this drug." Dee Stewart, executive director of the Republican Party of Iowa, is busy this time of year with getting his party's candidate into office. Stewart said he believes the issue of RU-486 will make people look more at the abortion issue in the coming months. "Bush's position is that he is pro-life with exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. He also supports parental consent and a ban on all partial birth abortions. RU-486 is a new element that voters will have to look at in this election. I know, as a voting citizen, that I am opposed to it, because it is a form of abortion. For the all the reasons that abortion reeks havoc on life, such as it is killing a life, and that is invaluable," Stewart said. Other parties involved in the upcoming election are the Natural Law Party, Green Party and the Reform Party. Led by candidate Patrick Buchanan, the Reform Party relies on a platform comparable to the Republicans. According to Buchanan's essay on his Web site, "In the 27 years since the Supreme Court declared that abortion is a Constitutional right, over 35 million unborn American children have been slaughtered; 1.4 million every year; 4,000 every day. Had the United States suffered 35 million casualties in a 27-year war, pundits and politicians would be calling it the greatest tragedy in the history of mankind. But because this calamity is cast in terms of 'choice,' they wash their hands of the blood of these innocents. I believe that life begins at conception, and I will use the Bully Pulpit to defend the sacred rights of the unborn to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." According to Iowa Green Party secretary Holly Hart, it is hard for a party to control all of its members' beliefs. "The Green Party is solidly pro-choice, although there are members who, for religious or philosophical reasons, do not favor having an abortion, but they would not see it outlawed for others - the idea is to reduce the need for abortions through better education and access to health care and contraceptives," Hart said. John Hagelin was chosen as the Natural Law Party's candidate. His Web site states clearly his party's views on abortion, according to Edward Malloy, the Hagelin contact in Iowa. The Web site says, "The Natural Law Party's prevention-oriented approach to reducing the number of abortions will produce a much-needed unifying influence on our nation, which has been deeply torn by this highly divisive issue. Our policy serves the interests of both those who are pro-life and those who are pro-choice by decreasing the number of abortions more effectively than legislation and leaving moral responsibility in the hands of those whose lives are affected most. Only the Natural Law Party can solve the problem of abortion at its basis and thereby fulfill the goals of all Americans - those who emphasize the sanctity of life and those who uphold the sanctity of individual freedom." WEB LINKS:
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