Thursday, August 14, 2008

Obama Campaign Continues Effort to Obscure Opposition to Born Alive Infants Protection Act


WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Barack Obama for President Campaign has responded to new documentation revealing that Obama has misrepresented his position with regard to opposing the Born Alive Infant Protection Act. The Susan B. Anthony List offered a response and facts on Obama's record:

"The Obama campaign thinks if they continue to repeat their flimsy story about Barack Obama's opposition to the common sense Born Alive Infant Protection Act that their thin explanation will become true. The reality is that actual legislative records directly contradict their story," commented Marjorie Dannenfelser, Susan B. Anthony List President.

"Here's the truth: Barack Obama killed the commonsense Born Alive Infant Protection Act in the Illinois Senate, and his campaign continues its game of hide and seek. That's because his position is heartless. There is no baby at any stage - even born accidentally - that he finds worth protecting. Where is his heart for the downtrodden when it comes to the most vulnerable human beings? It is no wonder he cannot admit to the truth of his 'leadership' as a State Senator."

Barack Obama opposed the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act as an Illinois State Senator. He spoke against the bill, calling it an "unnecessary burden" for women and voted against it three times. Despite that opposition, he has since declared support for the federal version of the same legislation that aims to protect newborn babies who survive abortions. Obama has publicly stated he opposed the legislation due to its lack of a "neutrality clause" - language expressing that the bill had no bearing on the legal status of unborn children with regard to abortion. Legislative documents released this week contradict that claim.

Obama Campaign Claim: "There are major differences in the state and federal bills, including the fact that the federal bill included a 'neutrality clause.'" FACT: Official legislative documents released this week show that Obama in fact presided over a committee hearing where "neutrality clause" language - identical to the federal language - was added to the Illinois version of the Born Alive Infant Protection Act. Barack Obama joined his colleagues in a vote of 10-0 to add the "neutrality clause" to the legislation. After the language was added, Obama then joined fellow Democrats to oppose the bill, killing it by a vote of 6-4. The bill Obama killed is virtually identical to the federal bill, which can be seen here.

The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of Americans, over 147,000 residing in all 50 states, dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics. Its connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process. www.sba-list.org