Roe Vs Wade

Joe Biden On Abortion

A Roman Catholic, Biden said he accepts his church's teachings that life begins at conception, but that the issue is personal for him. He said it wouldn't be right to impose his views on others who are just as religious as he is.

"I'm prepared as a matter of faith to accept that life begins at the moment of conception. But that is my judgment," Biden said on NBC's "Meet the Press" in September. "For me to impose that judgment on everyone else who is equally and maybe even more devout than I am seems to me is inappropriate in a pluralistic society."

He believes family planning initiatives could help prevent many unwanted pregnancies.  Senator Biden has consistently supported the nation’s family planning program  that provides information, services, support, and research for family planning. 

• Allow women to choose, but no federal funding. (Jul 2007)
• No public funding for abortion; it imposes a view. (Apr 2007)
• Supports partial-birth abortion ban, but not undoing Roe. (Apr 2007)
• Accepts Catholic church view that life begins at conception. (Apr 2007)
• Nominees should agree on constitutional right to privacy. (Apr 2007)
• Voted NO on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP. (Mar 2008)
• Voted NO on prohibiting minors crossing state lines for abortion. (Mar 2008)
• Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)
• Voted NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)
• Voted YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)
• Voted NO on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004)
• Voted NO on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)
• Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)
• Voted NO on banning human cloning. (Feb 1998)
• Rated 36% by NARAL, indicating a mixed voting record on abortion. (Dec 2003)
• Expand embryonic stem cell research. (Jun 2004)
• Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance. (Dec 2006)
• Ensure access to and funding for contraception. (Feb 2007)

 
“I've stuck to my middle-of-the-road position on abortion for more than 30 years. I still vote against partial birth abortion and federal funding, and I'd like to make it easier for scared young mothers to choose not to have an abortion, but I will also vote against a constitutional amendment that strips a woman of her right to make her own choice. “

Sarah Palin On Abortion

At the Nov 3 2006 Governors Debates, the candidates were pressed on their stances on abortion and were asked what they would do if their own daughters were raped and became pregnant.

Palin said she would support abortion only if the mother's life was in danger. When it came to her daughter, she said, "I would choose life."

Knowles (her opponent), responded to the scenario involving his daughter, said he would counsel her and talk to her, but it would be her decision. "I would love her and support her no matter what decision she made," he said

Source: Alaska 2006 Governor Debate: AP coverage of public TV debate Nov 3, 2006

• Rejected sympathy for Down's Syndrome son, as gift from God. (Aug 2008)
• Opposes stem cell research. (Aug 2008)
• Every baby is created with a future and potential. (Aug 2008)
• Safe Haven bill: allow surrendering newborns without penalty. (Feb 2008)
• Adoption is best plan for permanency for foster care kids. (Oct 2007)
• Pro-life. (Nov 2006)
• Choose life, even if her own daughter were raped. (Nov 2006)
• If Roe v. Wade got overturned, let people decide what's next. (Oct 2006)
• Opposes use of public funds for abortions. (Oct 2006)
• Pro-contraception, pro-woman, pro-life. (Aug 2006)
• Only exception for abortion is if mother's life would end. (Jul 2006)