The Brody File reports on the Christian Defense Coalition’s new “Abortion President” campaign against Barack Obama. This is not a group with lots of organizational heft–it’s known mostly for hosting press conferences–but if Brody’s right, it’s the first step in a broader Christian Right campaign to brandish Obama’s pro-choice credentials as a way to trip up his campaign to reach culturally conservative religious voters:
Folks, The Brody File has been telling you this sort of effort was coming. Some of these pro-life groups look at the polling and find that many Americans either think Obama is either pro-life or they’re not sure. This campaign is an attempt to set the record straight. Don’t think for a minute this is one ‘fringe” group. This effort represents the broader feelings with many conservative Evangelical groups.
This is Obama’s challenge with Evangelicals. He can talk about the social justice issues all he wants and yes, it resonates to a certain extent but unless he moves on abortion (not likely) he’ll have a problem….
The bigger issue here for the Obama campaign is just how widespread and vocal pro-life groups may end up being on this issue. Obama can’t afford the extreme liberal tag and if these groups continue to pound home the abortion theme, it doesn’t fit the narrative that Obama needs to be successful.
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posted July 7, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Obama probably needs only a small portion of Evangelicals and there are enough pro-choice ones to fill that need. And there is the strong possibility of this ad and similar ones driving more independents to Obama who might consider McCain were it not for the disgust they feel about Evangelicals.
This is a issue Obama clearly wins on.
posted July 7, 2008 at 11:20 pm
The abortion issue is so divisive that I think no matter what a candidate really believes, he has to find a way to straddle the fence on this issue. A real political challenge.
Paul – originalfaith.com
posted July 8, 2008 at 12:32 am
More fear – more distortions – more camouflage for a hollow effigy from the Hefelump Party.
posted July 8, 2008 at 8:49 am
considering how many issues that most faith groups care about why do they only care about this one and ignore all others?
McCain isn’t so great on a lot of the others especially on divorce and remarriage.
Also in 2000 didn’t McCain advocate a less than 100% ban on abortion???? I don’t think he said he changed his mind — I believe he said that he didn’t say it. youtube has footage from the 2000 debates if you want to see what he really said. He has a truth problem — which should be of great concern to people of faith.
posted July 8, 2008 at 12:11 pm
If Satan himself came out and said he was pro-life, the Christian Defence Coalition would support him. They have one stand and one stand only, Pro-life or nothing.
And what do they say about these dumb, lonely teenagers in Mass. who deliberately got pregnant? Are they willing to take in the children with babies and care for them, or do they advocate letting them live with their mistakes?
I’m pro life, but who’s going to pay for the care and counseling of people like them. I don’t see any plans coming from them, nor did I hear of any outrage for the conduct of these kids.
At least Obama has an extended Americore plan that would help. What does McCain offer? A tax rebate for the rich?
posted July 9, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Such ugly things the ‘right’ invents. I hope it comes back to bite them in the ass come November.