Sunday, October 07, 2007

Obama Explores Abortion Issue - The Caucus - Politics - New York Times Blog

Obama Explores Abortion Issue - The Caucus - Politics - New York Times Blog

This link is to a transcript from a recent campaign appearance in Iowa by Obama at which he answered a question from someone who is clearly "pro-life."

What I liked about Obama's answer - which is pretty much the same thing he wrote about the topic in his book, "The Audacity of Hope" - is that he seeks the common ground for those on both sides of this divisive issue: reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies.

The reality is that those who are "pro-life" or "pro-choice" are unlikely to switch sides. The only hope for a national policy that will actually reduce the number of abortions is one that focuses on reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies.

Much of Obama's book explores this kind of thinking about tough issues. He is adept at understanding both sides of an issue and seeing where common ground can be found without either side feeling like they sold out. Now that would be a refreshing kind of leadership in Washington...

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