WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 /Christian Newswire/ -- Concerned Women for America (CWA) today called on both the Republican and Democrat candidates to get serious about the deadliest issue facing America. Wendy Wright, president of CWA, had some tough words for the men running for president of the United States.
"These two men need to stop acting like abortion is a game of political theater. To treat abortion as they have both been doing over the last few days, as a mere means of manipulating voters, is not acceptable to Americans but especially not to women. Abortion is no more a political tool today than slavery was 150 years ago. Today's paramount human rights issue -- the right to live -- is not a toy for political cynics. They need to realize that Americans care too much for women -- many of whom have suffered from abortion's effects -- and babies to accept how these men have treated abortion. Unborn children deserve basic human rights and their struggling mothers need better options. Obama and McCain need to get serious."
In recent days, John McCain appeared at a major evangelical church where he seemed to stand firm on pro-life principles. Yet he followed up a fine performance with public hints that he is considering a pro-abortion vice presidential pick. A running mate, the person who would be one heartbeat away from the presidency, must be as serious about protecting innocent life as the person on the top of the ticket. As the nation's largest pro-life women's organization, CWA calls on John McCain to validate his pro-life credentials by choosing a running mate that supports his party's pro-life position. Anything short of a 100% pro-life running mate will lead to conservative women staying home on Election Day.
In recent days, Barack Obama created an embarrassing spectacle in which he was shown to be less than candid about his position on important bills to protect already born babies who survived abortion. CWA helped expose the inhumane practice of "live birth abortions" and worked to pass "Born Alive Infant Protection" bills at the federal and state level. Contrary to Obama's claim that there was no need for a state bill, CWA requested a legal analysis from the Illinois Attorney General who clearly stated that the current law did not extend to babies born alive after abortions. Obama can't seem to decide whether that kind of legislation is worth understanding much less supporting. Pay attention Senator! The bottom line is that Obama opposed life-saving legislation for babies who were already born. In his own words, that "defies common sense" and "defies imagination." Women don't think the idea of protecting children is above anyone's pay grade.
Wright noted, "Americans deserve better than this from their presidential candidates. We are talking about real people here, real women who are carrying real babies. Abortion is a horrific blot on our national honor and we need some real men with a backbone to stand up for them. John McCain and Barack Obama need to get serious about this paramount issue. Don't leave all the tough battles for us women to fight. Come on, guys, get serious. Join us in fighting for life."
Concerned Women for America is the nation's largest public policy women's organization.
