SUPPORT FOR ABORTION REAFFIRMED AND EXPANDED AT DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.

The Democratic National Convention held in Boston July 26-29 proved once again that those with a pro-life view are not welcome in the party. From the pro-abortion platform that was adopted, to Ron Reagan, Jr.'s speech hailing "embryonic stem cell research" (he was actually advocating human cloning), to Planned Parenthood President Gloria Feldt delivering a speech from the dais, the pro-abortion voice of the party came through loud and clear.

The Democratic National Convention culminated with staunchly pro-abortion Senators John Kerry and John Edwards accepting the presidential and vice presidential nominations of the Democratic Party.

In unmistakable terms, Kerry and Edwards present a clear contrast to the pro-life ticket of President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

Kerry and Edwards, if elected, would prevent any effective limitation on abortion, even the grisly partial-birth abortion technique. They oppose requiring parents to be notified before an abortion is performed on their minor daughter and they support taxpayer-funded abortion. And Kerry has been very clear in his intent to nominate only pro-abortion justices to the United States Supreme Court.

Convention delegates adopted a platform that, in effect, re-defines pro-life Democrats as Republicans and clearly conveyed contempt for their values. The platform reads, "...we stand proudly for a woman's right to choose, consistent with Roe v. Wade, and regardless of her ability to pay. We stand firmly against Republican efforts to undermine that right" (emphasis added).

But in an April 2004 Zogby poll, nearly half of the self-identified Democrats disagreed with Roe v. Wade. A total of 47% of the respondents said they support abortion only to save the life of the mother; only in cases of life, rape, and incest; or not at all. From the wording of the Democratic platform, it was apparent that convention delegates were not interested in understanding or accepting the pro-life position of almost half of fellow Democrats.

The platform also calls for using human embryos for research in experiments that will kill each newly developing life. It states, "President Bush has rejected the calls from Nancy Reagan, Christopher Reeve and Americans across the land for assistance with embryonic stem cell research. We will reverse his wrongheaded policy."