You Be The Judge

The Saddleback Civil Forum was an enlightening if not revealing discussion of political issues by the Rev. Rick Warren with Senators Barack Obama and John McCain. The format for this discussion was interesting and a vast improvement over the highly biased main street media’s old debate format. Interviewing each candidate separately was a refreshing approach and allowed for greater in depth responses.

Surprisingly, John McCain came out on fire, energized, and using self-deprecating humor at times. His answers were straightforward just like his Straight Talk Express. He was certain of his responses as there was no hemming, hawing, stammering, and pausing. McCain felt comfortable in his skin, and it was obvious this format was suited to his personality. One could not help but understand that in his administration, John McCain would be in charge.

Senator Obama, on the other hand, gave vague answers lacking in specificity. It was clear that this particular format was not suitable for Obama’s style, which is one where he reads responses from a teleprompter.

Obviously, there were differences in their political philosophy, but none stood out as much as their differences on abortion. John McCain declared himself a pro-life supporter, which is validated by his voting record when serving in the House of Representatives and in the U.S. Senate. McCain also responded to the question of when does life begin with “at the moment of conception”.

Barack Obama stated he is pro-choice and not pro-abortion. Here’s where you get to be the judge.

In Congressional hearings in 2000-2001 and later before Barack Obama’s Illinois Senate Judiciary Committee, an Illinois nurse, Jill Stanek testified about how induced labor abortions were handled at the hospital where she worked in Illinois. Her testimony described how living and breathing babies were shelved, left to die, and disposed of as medical waste. Stanek said, "One night, a nursing co-worker was taking an aborted Down syndrome baby who was born alive to our Soiled Utility Room because his parents did not want to hold him, and she did not have the time to hold him. I couldn't bear the thought of this suffering child lying alone in a Soiled Utility Room, so I cradled and rocked him for the 45 minutes that he lived."

In other words, babies were killed outside the womb. This is powerful, moving yet disgusting stuff. Stanek watched for Obama’s reaction, which she described as "unfazed" by her testimony. Eventually, this practice was banned by Congress’ unanimous passage of the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act in March 2002 with die-hard, pro-choice advocates like Senator Barbara Boxer condemning such abortion practices as outside the scope of Roe v. Wade.

A year before, however, the Illinois legislature considered a bill almost identical to the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act that was in Congress. Voting against this legislation was the Illinois state senator Barack Obama even though the bill was supported by his Judiciary Committee. The only senator to speak against the bill before the Illinois Senate was Barack Obama. His argument was that extending life protection to preterm babies jeopardized abortion rights. He voted "present," tantamount to a "no" vote.

A year later, when Obama's Committee passed the “Induced Birth Liability Act”, requiring medical care for babies who survive induced labor abortions, Obama did not support the legislation. Again, Obama voted “present”. His argument for not supporting medical care for babies who survive induced labor abortions was that such legislation would “create one more burden on women, and I can't support that."

On another issue, Obama was asked by Rick Warren to describe what is evil. Obama said evil was the killing that continues to go on in Darfur. Who can disagree with that response? When asked by Rev. Warren, “What should a President do about the killings or genocide that has occurred in places such as Georgia?” Obama’s response was that “well, that’s a judgment call.”

Now, Senator Obama, which is it? Abortions are justified, killings in Darfur must be confronted, but killings in Georgia by the Russians are a judgment call? Perhaps, Senator, it may come as a surprise to you that life is a series of judgment calls. Isn’t abortion a judgment call?

Answers to the questions posed by Rev. Warren were clearly revealing about ones’ character and core values.

You be the judge!