Anti-abortion groups jolted by election defeats

Their tactics might refocus on street protests, grass-roots activism

NEW YORK - At almost every level, last week's election was a stinging defeat for the anti-abortion movement, starting with Obama's presidential victory. Priests for Life said voters "made a grave mistake," while Mahoney's group, in a refrain shared by many conservatives, contended that Obama will be "the most radical pro-abortion president" in U.S. history.

In Congress, supporters of abortion rights now hold 17 more seats in the House and at least four more in the Senate, according to NARAL Pro-Choice America. And at the state level, voters in Colorado, South Dakota and California defeated ballot measures that would have banned or restricted abortions.

Obama's election also dashed hopes within the anti-abortion movement for possible Supreme Court vacancies over the next four years to be filled by judges who might support reversal of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision establishing a right to abortion.

The overall outcome "brings about feelings of great disappointment, of anger," said the Rev. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life. "But that disappointment and anger are forms of energy. ...I believe a lot of people on the sidelines for last eight years will now get engaged."

Pavone predicted that activists would stage more mass demonstrations and abortion-clinic vigils. He also said the election results shed light on the movement's weak points, and would prompt new efforts to register anti-abortion voters and mobilize clergy to be more outspoken in future campaigns.

Another outlet for activism is the ever-growing network of local pregnancy centers run by anti-abortion staffers who seek to persuade young women with unintended pregnancies to choose adoption or single motherhood over abortion.

"While legislative efforts to protect the unborn and women from abortion may be limited in future years, the work of pregnancy centers is advancing stronger than ever," said Melinda Delahoyde, president of Care Net. Her network supports 1,100 centers, and is concentrating expansion efforts in black and Hispanic inner-city areas.

Delahoyde said she hoped Obama would live up to his campaign rhetoric and reach out to groups with different views, including the anti-abortion movement.

"We have a lot to bring to the table," she said. "Don't exclude us because we don't line up with you on certain issues

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{I have a hard time feeling sorry for these people while they stew in their own juices. Under the Bush administration these anti-choice zealots had the wipe hand and they used it. Their draconian and Machiavellian activities against the pro choice movement, their intolerance and refusal to even consider compromise turned many Americans off and they bear their part of the blame for the bloodletting of the GOP on election day. There may be conservative Christian Republicans who hold moderate views on the subject of abortion but if there is....... I haven't met any.

Now with major political change sweeping over the country they are demanding a place at the table. The very same table pro choice folks were refused access to during the long night of the neocons. Have they changed their attitudes at all? Are they ready to even consider compromise? Yeah....sure!

They set up the rules for this cultural battle between Pro life and pro choice and made it clear it was going to be a "take no prisoners" campaign. Their one objective is to outlaw abortion totally [under any circumstance] from this nation. They refuse to compromise or listen to other arguments in spite of the fact it is clear they do not have the support of most Americans from both the left and right. They are trying to force their will down our throats and refuse to accept that people should be allowed to make up their own minds on the issue.

None the less I support dialogue between the two sides and think the new Democrat controlled Washington should not overreact on the issue or make decisions without discussions with the pro life crowd. I believe we should treat them better than they treated us but they had better get realistic and realize that in real negotiations neither side gets everything they want. If their stance continues to be "all or nothing" than they should be prepared to get nothing.

What do you think?}