Obama's "common ground" on abortion rejected by Pro-lifers

On Sunday, May 17, President Obama made an impassioned plea for "common ground" on abortion during his commencement speech at the University of Notre Dame. Almost immediately, ardent local abortion opponents said that would be impossible."There is no common ground," cried Peter Shinn, president of Pro-Life Unity in Northern Virginia. "Pro-life and pro-choice are completely diametrically opposed. We cannot have an open heart for killing children. There is no room for accepting that."

At Howard University's School of Divinity, Cheryl Sanders, a Christian ethics professor, sounded a bit conciliatory. It's appropriate to take a clear stand on ethical issues while still keeping an open mind, she said.

"We should approach controversial issues with open minds," Prof. Sanders said, "and be respectful of the opinions of others and their right to think, act, and speak differently."

Area pro-choice advocates contacted for their take on the "common ground" idea said they were too swamped with media calls to respond.

But Nancy Keegan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, appeared on MSNBC to address President Obama's comments on abortion.

"We should be able to agree beyond the attacks," Keegan said. "This president has called for that and America is ready for that. The American people want the solutions, not the rhetoric."

Religion News Service reported that America is indeed divided on the abortion issue, but pro-lifers seem to be winning American hearts.

A new Gallup poll shows that 51 percent of Americans now consider themselves "pro-life'' compared to 42 percent who say they are "pro-choice.'' The change from recent years, when more people called themselves "pro-choice,'' nevertheless shows a continuing polarization that may make common ground hard to find, RNS reported.

Elder Timothy Mclean, director of Partnership Services at Spirit of Faith Christian Center in Maryland, asserted that abortion is a sensitive issue that must nevertheless be addressed vigilantly.

"People cannot be lukewarm," said Mclean. "You are either for life or for death. Abortion must be viewed through the lens of the word of God."

Not one to shy away from controversy, President Obama told the Notre Dame graduates and their guests that "each side will continue to make its case to the public with passion and conviction."

The President's audience mostly applauded his courage and vision for a solution, but pro-lifers remain unconvinced and distrustful.

"No one in the pro-life movement believes his promises about abortion reduction," said Deal Hudson, director of InsideCatholic.com, a conservative Web site, and a former GOP adviser, RNS reported. "Every decision he's made thus far would do nothing but increase the number of abortions."

Hudson cited Obama's decision to open federal funding to international groups that provide abortions, for example. Other critics say Obama administration policies speak louder than his words.

Chuck Donovan, executive vice president of Family Research Council, criticized the administration's funding of embryonic stem cell research and plans to reduce conscience protections for healthcare workers.

According to Donovan, "To be credible, that plan would have to begin with reversing every decision Obama has made on abortion to date.''