|
|
The delegates responded to these other questions:
The Kemp Selection
How well the Delegates Represent the GOP
What a Republican Future Would Mean
Participate in our next Online Delegate Forum.
Question 2: A question from Vincent Slater of Fort Wayne, IN
I feel very sad about the way the Republican Party has been placed by the issue of Abortion. I would feel much happier if the people who are so violently pro-life would spend more time thinking about those already alive and in need of care. I feel the Republican Party has capitulated too easily to the pro-lifers, and has given the election of Clinton a real boost.
Please comment.
Gloria Hedderman - Wyoming
I agree with you Vincent! I think it just proves the point that for a democracy to really work, regular thinking people need to get involved. Otherwise the one-agenda people and extremist factions will take over. The anti-choice people are organized and they have gotten their people to San Diego, but I don't think they represent the majority view of the Republican Party. In general Republicans believe in liberty and believe that government should stay out of our individual lives. Everyone who believes in these principles should get involved and get elected to Republican party offices.
Hans Von Spakovsky - Georgia
Most of the delegates I know in the Georgia delegation hold a mixture of pro- and anti-abortion views, yet they all respect each other and I have not seen any "violence" on this issue. Republicans are certainly more tolerant on this issue than Democrats who have not allowed any dissenting voices at all and whose platform committee works in secret without allowing media access. I also know that many of the activists I work with are extremely involved in community activities which include many hours of time helping children and mothers in need. Your beginning assumption that Republicans do not spend time helping children who are alive is not a correct one. But the abortion issue is a very important issue to many delegates which touches their innermost principles and beliefs, and it is as important an issue as slavery was to the Republicans and Americans in the 1850's.Patricia Krueger - New Hampshire
I think that to honor life from conception to death has always been part of the Republican Party. To sacrifice that to win an election would not be in keeping with Republican values.Allen Campbell - Pennsylvania
As a member of the clergy and as a delegate to the GOP National Convention I can say that your statement is one which many, many others feel strongly about in the Republican Party. When you comment on the placement of the Republican Party regarding abortion, remember that the Party can only go in the direction of the people who are active directing it. Those who feel as you do, often called Moderate Republicans, were at one time in the vast majority of the Party. The sad fact is that many thinking people have not been willing to take the time, do the work needed, spend some of their money, and re-build a party more to their liking. When asked about the issues that are important to them, the whole issue of pro-life is never in the top 7 or 8 issues to the American people. When you come to a convention at state and national levels, however, it seems to be more than half of the discussion. The people who care, as you do, about other very important issues, need to get active, become as I did, an elected party official ( Member of the Pennsylvania State Committee ), and bring the Party of Lincoln back to dealing with the real concerns of the American people.
Ken Blackwell - Ohio
I am strongly prolife. I believe government's first obligation is to protect life. I believe it is our obligation as a nation to support public policies that empower individuals and families so that they can improve their quality of life. Increasing home ownership, improving the quality of instruction in our schools, expanding our economies so we can increase opportunities and jobs are all consistent with a prolife ethic.Tim Knopp - Oregon
Vincent, you have made a broad statement with inflammatory language and that is the problem with the debate on abortion. People have deeply held beliefs on both sides of this issue and if both sides treated each other with respect we would be much better off. The pro-life position in the last several elections has been a net benefit to the pro-life candidates so I don't believe Bill Clinton will get a boost. The violation of any human being's civil rights including their right to life should be opposed by evey member of the human race.Bob Groesbeck - Nevada
I have a lot of sympathy for your position; there are many in the party including myself that would have liked to have seen a more balanced approach to the abortion issue. Notwithstanding the platform language as adopted, I believe it is important that we put aside our differences and work toward the common goal of electing Bob Dole.Allen Quist - Minnesota
First of all, let us be fair in the way we ask questions. To hold the pro-life position is not to be "violently" pro-life. Secondly, I would hope that we aren't suggesting that we must chose to care either for human beings already born or those not yet born. Clearly we can do both. The Republican Party has not "capitulated" to anyone, but clearly pro-lifers are in the majority. In the end all democratic processes are working as they should and the majority carries the day.
The PBS NewsHour is Funded in part by: Additional Foundation and Corporate Sponsors
Program
Support
From:
Copyright © 1996- MacNeil/Lehrer Productions. All Rights Reserved. Support the kind of journalism done by the NewsHour...Become a member of your local PBS station.
