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The Siljander Amendment read, in its entirety, "For the purposes of this Act, the term person shall include
unborn children from the moment of conception."
The House conducted a straight up-and-down vote on the Siljander Amendment which failed, 186-219. Al Gore, then the congressman representing Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District voted in favor of the amendment.
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In one of debates, Gore even said he was against partial birth abortion and would sign a bill banning it! Also, the Clinton-Gore administration dragged their feet for eight years in approving RU-486. During that time, it has become even more difficult to find an abortion provider. In 86% of the counties in America, there is no Dr. available for such services.By the way, the ever flip-flopping Gore was sure Pro-Life as a Congressman. Here are somethings he actually said: “It is my deep personal conviction that abortion is wrong. I hope that some day we will see the current outrageously large number of abortions drop sharply. . .
Let me assure you that I share your belief that innocent human life must be protected . . In my opinion, it is wrong to spend federal funds for what is arguably the taking of a human life. . . .” (Rep. Al Gore, Letter to a Constituent, 7/18/84)
“During my 11 years in Congress, I have consistently opposed federal funding of abortions. In my opinion, it is wrong to spend federal funds for what is arguably the taking of a human life.” (Sen. Al Gore, Letter to a Constituent, 5/26/87)
“Calling abortion ‘the most complex issue that any candidate faces,’ Albert Gore Jr. said Wednesday that he doesn’t believe the courts have struck a proper balance between the rights of a fetus and a woman’s right to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. ‘I don’t believe a woman’s freedom to live her own life, in all cases, outweighs the fetus’ right to life,’ the 4th District congressional candidate said, predicting that the abortion issue will be the forerunner to a whole series of issues in which medical technology and basic human rights come in conflict. Gore said he favors a cautious, case-by-case approach.” (The Nashville Banner, 7/29/76)
"Bush said he opposes the pro-life amendment favored by [his opponent] and favors leaving up to a woman and her doctor the abortion question." -1978 interview with Bush in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal newspaper
Now, let's take a look at Bush's experience picking justices. He has selected 4 justices (including some Latinos) for the Texas Supreme Court. Three of the four voted to OVERTURN a parental consent law for abortion. It appears that he did not even bother to have an abortion litmus test in Texas! As dumb as he may seem, I doubt he would do something so politically stupid as to try to overturn Roe V Wade and not get a second term! Thousands would protest in the streets!
Republican presidents have appointed many justices who turned out to be liberal:
Just to remind you, it's impossible to predict how Supreme Court Justices will perform. The two most liberal justices on the Court today , Stevens and Souter, were appointed by Republican presidents Ford and Bush. When Ford nominated Stevens, Dick Cheney was his chief of staff. A Nixon appointee, Harry Blackmun, wrote the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion, and Roe v Wade's prime opponent on the Court was Kennedy's man, Byron White. Do the Republicans really want to end choice, at least for middle class women? Of course not. They want to close the gender gap. As for poor women, Gore spent his congressional career voting to deny them funding for abortions.
Last modified: 2 November 2000
http://www.debatethis.org/gore/abortion/