Obama says pointed abortion query “above his pay grade”
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DALLAS – U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama side-stepped a pointed query about abortion on Saturday by “mega-pastor” Rick Warren during a televised forum.
Asked at what point a baby gets “human rights,” Obama, who strongly supports abortion rights, said: “… whether you’re looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity … is above my pay grade.”
He went on to reiterate his view that it was important to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies.
Republican presidential candidate John McCain, who followed Obama onto the stage of the nationally televised event, was more blunt and more emphatic.
He said a baby’s human rights began “at the moment of conception … I have a 25-year pro-life record.”
Both candidates were vying for the “faith vote,” in particular the one in four U.S. adults who count themselves as evangelical.
Obama took questions first from Warren and McCain followed. The two shared the stage together briefly.
Some centrist evangelicals have said they appreciate moves by the Democratic Party to “soften” the edges of its pro-choice stand by stressing the need to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies and abortions — and by also working harder in areas like adoption.
But for many conservative evangelicals — a key part of the evangelical base — life begins at conception and the argument ends there.
The issue remains one of the most divisive and partisan in America — as Obama and McCain highlighted on Warren’s stage.
(Additional reporting by Jeff Mason)
(Photo credit: REUTERS/Rebecca Cook, Files, USA)
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You say: “But for many conservative evangelicals — a key part of the evangelical base — life begins at conception and the argument ends there.” I am not a “conservative evangelical,” and so, as Michael Vick might say: “I have no dog in this fight.” Nevertheless, it would behoove you to do a little research–say, read a biology textbook–before rhetorically shrugging your shoulders over when a human being’s life begins. The truth, as another pseudo-scientific media outlet used to say, is out there–and, as it turns out, science supports those conservative evangelicals.
answering that question with specificity … is above my pay grade…
Weasel. Liar. You know exactly what you would do. Change we can see through.
Watched both Obama and McCain and the follow up reporters. I do think there are many areas above Obama’s pay grade. After the 3 hours my wife and I agreed that we would put our 8 year old Yard Sign (WE VOTE PRO- LIFE) in the yard today. We will include a McCain sticker on the sign. Thanks Rick Warren.
Obama states “answering that question with specificity … is above my pay grade.”
I didn’t realize that there is a PAYING JOB that determines whether or not Babies Die.
This is a moral issue and a women’s choice issue not to be taken lightly with a flippin comment from him!
Perhaps Warren should have asked him “How would ypu feel is your wife had aborted your daugthers ?” Would the answer then have been “is above his Pay Grade ?????”
Once again, Obama isn’t held accountable for sidestepping an issue…especially an issue where he has the most radical leftist voting record of anyone in the senate! His answer makes for a nice soundbite, but so do most of his canned responses. This is exactly why he won’t debate McCain until he absolutely positively has to. Weak.
- Just say “no” to B.O.
Hopefully all future decisions for the Nation will remain above his pay grade.
Doesn’t Oßama also support forcing a hospital to allow a newborn baby to wither and die if an abortion had been attempted on it previously? That isn’t late-term abortion, that’s post-partum abortion. By that reasoning all invalids should just be left to fend for themselves.
McCain was the clear winner of the debate at Saddleback Church. He was precise, honest and assertive in giving his answers to questions of great importance to the American people.
Obama’s answer, to the abortion question, that specificity on the subject was…above his pay grade, told us all we need to know about him. He is not ready to be President of the United States.
above his pay grade, huh? And what job is it he wants again? Maybe this is a case where we can tell where he stands by his actions. While in the Illinois State Senate, he took to the floor to vote opposition to a bill which would mandate treatment for infants surviving their own abortion. He stated that he believed the child should be killed because that was the mother’s intent. So we know he doesn’t believe life begins even after birth. It is unbelievable to me that anyone would vote for this man
At what “pay grade” can one have an opinion?
Odd the Little “O” would say that this was “above my pay grade” when he voted 3 time to allow babies to die by not providing medical help after surviving an abortion attempt. I guess his pay grade vassilates according to his voting block. Funny little man that Little “O”. Did I say funny,,yeah if you spell funny “S-C-A-R-E-Y
Mr. Obama,
Birth control “before” pregnancy is the adult way women take care of their body. Abortion is not birth control, it is murder.
I had to prevent pregnancy if I wanted to have sex without conception and so do all other women.
You don’t know what you are talking about.
I repeat, Abortion is not birth control. In this day, no women gets pregnant unless she chooses.
The Democratic Party’s position is that abortion should be legal because a fetus is just a clump of cells with no human rights.
If the procedure is no different from, say, the removal of an unwanted mole–which is essentially what the argument for legalization is–then why expend resources to reduce its frequency?
The “centrist evangelicals” appreciate that the Democrats have “softened” the edges of its’ Pro Killing the Baby in the womb? Wee, that’s great. Now, when an unborn child is being SLAUGHTERED in its’ MOTHERS’ WOMB, he, or she, can be relieved that their KILLERS, have softened their ‘edges’. There should be NO TOLERENCE for the DESTRUCTION of GODS’ GREATEST GIFT, in thr Christian Religion. PERIOD. What WOULD Jesus do?
What’s new in the liberal camp? Same wholesale support for the “murder” of thousands of babies every day. God will not let the guilty go unpunished. He forgives but this nation will continue to pay the price. Where is the party of Harry Truman?
Above his paygrade ???
But this is the man who’s going to restore America’s image around the world, save the planet and end world-hunger and world-poverty (with the help of US taxpayers).
Surely no question is above his paygrade. Could it be that by ducking the question he doesn’t want to commit to a positiion on a serious topic and offend some voters? There’s always the chance that he has no core beliefs to begin with, other than pursuing his dream of a socialist state here in America.
As I recall, during the primary campaign McAmnesty was asked by a reporter what he would do if his daughter was raped and became pregnant. He said they would seriously discuss having an abortion! Now he tells the evangelicals something completely different. MCPHARISEE hypocrite!
I guess the buck won’t stop in the oval office with President Obama.
The Delusional Right! Kill 600,000 Iraqis, 3.5 million Vietnamese, incarcerate 2 million Americans for what? But Abortion…oh my god…what a heinous crime. America: 25% alcoholics, 25% people on anti-depressants, 25% delusional christians and 100% brainwashed, in-debt and out of their minds. One nation under surveillance with urine tests and wire taps for all.
God Bless America…and all the used car salesmen evangelists…what a joke.
What did Jesus call us to do? He called us to be like him to look at his world as he would, to serve others as a higher calling than the Torah or law. When presented His earth on the day of judgement, how might Jesus respond to our stewardship? How might he respond to an abortion clinic? Obama and Gov. Kaine of Virginia’s twisted view of Christianity Jesus would say, “great job faithful and trusted son, I love how you have served women’s rights with that abortion clinic”. Think. Do not let your logic be disuaded by your hatred of money or capitalism. There is bad in all these things but there is good as well if used properly. I cannot find any positive attribute to abortion which as I understand it, kills tens of thousands of babies each year.
May G-d come to you and make you whole.
BHO never gives a substantive answer, he ALWAYS “beats around the bush”, which is a sign of DECEPTION. Use your own gift of logic from there.
Obama with out his teleprompters or 30 minute polished speeches showed to be a junior senator who need another 10 years of seasoning. His cool approach couldn’t help him as he side step questions so to anger his far left voting block. McCain was on point and you know were he stands. We need more of these debates and great job getting away from the usual boring questions you hear every election year asked by the same lame so called journalist rooting for the liberal.
Unfortunately, more and more it appears that even being President is ABOVE Obama’s paygrade. See ya in November Barrack HUSSEIN Obama…..
McCain looked energized. Obama seemed tired and bored.
Obama tap-dances while McCain is straight to the point. I’d say that just about wraps it up.
That’s the purpose of the question: to divide people. Obama’s answer is right on, the answer all politicians should use -for their own dignity and our ours. When life begins is a religious question. Where it begins is in a woman’s womb -not some politicians. Its a question that is answered in the privacy of people, their families and communities.
The politicians pushing this issue have their hands in our pockets while trying to keep your eyes up our skirts.
unbelievable.
Obama’s answer is right on. This issue is meant to divide -it is precisely its purpose.
The politicians pushing this issue have their hands in your pocket while trying to keep your eyes up our skirts.
Barack could not say that life begins at conception-if he did how could he jusify the destrucion of a human life. Even if Barack believes life begins at conception-he will not publicley say so. Is all one has to do is look at his voting record on the issue of abortion to know what he is all about.
Considering the dude has barely held a job for any substantial period of time (other than signing up welfare recipients to vote Democratic) there is very little that he is qualified to answer.
So Obama cannot bring himself to say a baby even partially out of the birth canal has no human rights. Scary! Forgive me for being a one position voter but this tells me all I need to know about Obama.
Golly ,McCain sounds so wholesome one has the tendency to forget he voted to confirm Ginsberg,an official of the pro-abortin ACLU for the supremes.this cute little gal also wrote a college thesis in law school on hoping to lower the age of consent down to age 12..but I guess moral minded mccain just doesnt think folks have a memory..just wave the flag and grimace a lot..at least Obama is honest,he hates anyone who does not ‘belong’ to the insider club…I guess the thousands slaughtered and misplaced in Georgia did not seem worthy enough for either one to comment on………..a hobsons choice indeed…
Get the press out of the picture and let a common sense pastor take over and WOW you really get to see who these candidates running for president are. This turned out to be a great forum. I am pro-choice but after hearing 40 million abortions have taken place since Roe V Wade does make me think twice. As Pastor Warren stated this would be considered a Holocaust. Also, double checked and Obama stated under the Bush admin abortions are up. He is wrong and should check his responses before stated non fact. Abortions are down under this administration. Please if speaking deliver true facts, candidates.
Let’s keep in mind that saying it’s “important to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies” can STILL leave the door open to Abortion at any stage of pregnancy.
This is just a clever use of a phrase to appease the intended audience – without saying what you mean.
I mean, after all, doesn’t an abortion end (reduce) an unwanted pregnancy?
He was honest, and said what they thought they wanted to hear. Don’t be fooled by clever answers people.
And the job of the President of the United States isn’t the right “paygrade” to answer a tough question? Give me a break!
A pathetic respone by BO but the best he could do given his radical voting record, i.e. abortion anytime for any reason or no reason. Worse, if the child manages to survive the attempted murder, err abortion, then BO supports letting the baby die of neglect.
It was not so long ago that someone with these radical views would be shunned and treated as a moral leper. Today there are a substantial number of brain dead “Christians” who will actually vote for this fanatic. The end is near.
We can and will fix that problem, Mr. Obama.
Obama does not want to state his known position on abortion. He may be trying to win over evangelicals but he surely will not change his pro abortion stance at the risk of infuriating his liberal base. Why he even voted in support of killing babies that were born despite an attempted abortion! He talks about helping the disadvantaged. Who is more helpless than a child left to die?
McCain won my vote and my backing with straight talk on many important /Conservative/Christian topics
“… whether you’re looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity … is above my pay grade.” — True
Despite that admission, Obama has consistently promoted the wanton destruction of innocent babies; including the Illinois case where he sued to kill child after it survived a failed abortion attempt.
His views on abortion are very similar to those implemented by totalitarian Germany in the 1930′s. (and China today)
Excuse me for asking this, but I believe the American public MIGHT
have been duped by Pastor Rick, who looks silly in that goatee of his,
and he could lose some weight too……but what I am talking about is
this: you didn’t mention it and nobody else, but I have a very strong
suspicion that the questions that Pastor Rick asked the two candidates
were GIVEN to both Obama and McCain in advance of the
“show”……..why do I suspect this? because at one point Obama said
“I cheated here and did some research before hand…..I actually
looked at this idea ahead of time….”
he said this in response at first to one of Rick’s question around the
45 minute time….
it is all over the net now, onforums, those questiones WERE given to
both men beforehand…the entire thing was fake show……google and
search blogs
esp the democraticunderground blog
danny
McCain seemed to be rushing, especially in the first quarter of it, to
get out his answers he had rehearsed. Then he said that weird thing
about “when are you getting to the justices question?”
That was what really convinced me. He slipped up. He was given the
questions in advance.
Thought this the best format ever to gain a perspective on each man. Knew Obama
would be eloquent and feared for McCain in that regard. Fears put to rest! Go McCain!
If the answer is “above his pay grade” then Obama has just declared himself unable to perform the duties of the Presidency.
I watched both Obama & McCain, and decided after the
program finished that McCain would get my vote. He was
honest, very upfront in answering the questions immediately, while Obama seemed to have to ‘think’ about
his answer. Obama seemed to stutter & stall in making his thoughts known, while McCain knew the answers already.
He didn’t have to think or make up an answer. I feel a lot better now that I’ve made my decision. I trust McCain completly with our country. Now, I can relax.
McCain & Cindy will be great as President & 1st Lady in the white house.
Did anyone notice on the CNN coverage when Pastor Warren leaned over
to Obama following a commercial break to tell him he hit a “home run”
on his response to a question regarding tax brackets.
Somebody please tell me they noticed this besides us!
Posted by: Joe Lanane | via danny bloom
ooooObama like so many of his”answers” copout
Abortion is NOT a Contitutional government issue. If you dont like abortions then DONT HAVE ONE!!!
SOooo damn tired of hearing this when SOooo many other important issues NEVER get discussed!!!
STRIVE to be SMARTER than a demopublican and realize that AMERICA was NEVER meant to be a controlled ’2 party’ system!
You need a “pay grade” to support the rights of human life? Whether you accept the words of the Bible or not, and however you twist the words of the Bible, God’s true words remain: “thou shall not commit murder;” Further, in Psalm 139 David writes “You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your Book.”
Obama says “we need to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies.” How does he mean that? By aborting more innocent lives? If Obama is such a great Christian, why doesn’t he start preaching abstinence until marriage. God’s word was meant as a protection and to help us live happier lives. Sex outside of marriage, abortion, letting a little baby die outside the womb because of a botched abortion brings misery and suffering to all. Obama’s idea of “change” will bring misery and suffering to us all.
I suppose Obama thinks people will be fooled with his “above pay grade” comment. The question was direct, the answer shows intellectual arrogance.
beautiful mccain…welcome to the whitehouse
Obama is such a phony and a loser.