Have Pro-Life Politicians Helped the Cause?

The argument goes that pro-life politicians (mainly Republicans) have done next to nothing to end abortion in America. Therefore, we need to try something new. And what is that new thing? Elect Barack Obama, the most anti-life candidate in the history of presidential politics. However, the idea that conservatives have done nothing to end abortion is a misnomer. In truth, they have done much to curb this abhorrent practice. Michael J. New documents the multiplicity of ways in his article today. He concludes,

During the past 35 years, the pro-life movement has made some real progress--progress that pro-lifers could at times do a better job of advertising. During the 1990s more states enacted parental-involvement laws, waiting periods, and informed-consent laws. More importantly, the number of abortions has fallen in 12 out of the past 14 years and the total number of abortions has declined by 21 percent since 1990. These gains are largely due to pro-life political victories at the federal level in the 1980s and at the state level in the 1990s, both of which have made it easier to pass pro-life legislation. Furthermore, since the next President may have the opportunity to nominate as many as four justices to the Supreme Court, the right-to-life movement would be very well advised to stay the course in 2008.

And as Doug Groothuis pointed out, much of this would be wiped out when/(if) Obama signs the Freedom of Choice Act.

Read the whole article.

HT: DG