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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Thats a nice way of sidestepping the question Osama. Cant you just take a stand on anything?
DO YOU SMELL WHAT BARACK IS COOKIN’????
While I like senator Obama and admire his accomplishments the paygrade comment uderscores his lack of experience in leadership and underscores that he isn’t quite ready. His pay grade is the top pay grade for leading the free world. Senator, that answer isn’t good enough.
Well, maybe the presidency is also above his “pay grade”. What a cop-out!
once again mr obama comes out with a cutsy response…if answering this question is above his pay grade, so being the main man at the wh is above him…no spine on these guy…how’s he going to handle these tough guys in the political stage? ‘sorry maan, that ain’t in my job description?’…a poseur who looked very bad last night without the staged audience and a teleprompter in front…
The abortion issue IS THE ISSUE for evangelical Christians. Obama has it wrong and he is right, it is “above his pay-grade”. What an idiot!!
Senator Obama’s answer to the question may have been catchy, eloquent… perhaps even honest. What always frustrates me is that such answers do not invite the logical follow-up question. The abortion debate is probably the most emotional and divisive one in American politics. There are several issues, of course, that invite debate. The question here, and Obama’s answer, are the dividing line in this debate. At what point is a human being a human being?
Most pro-lifers adamantly declare conception to be the answer. Regardless of whether one agrees with their resultant opinions, they are at least consistent. Some (most?) pro-choicers declare one is not human until they are born and viable outside the womb. Again, agree or not, the resultant opinions from this view are logically consistent.
Then there’s the “no one knows when life begins” crowd, most of whom seem to be pro-choice. I’ll take the Senator’s word that he believes this knowledge to be beyond us. But I would immediately ask him this question: How then can you advocate abortion? In his case, how can he possibly defend late-term and partial-birth abortion if by his own admission it could be the killing of a viable human worthy of the right to life?
I originally saw myself as pro-choice. I was so precisely because I did, and still do, answer questions such as Warren’s the same way Obama did. I don’t know the answer. I fully recognize that the beginning human life (and rights) can be defined somewhere other than at the two extremes usually put forth in the debate. I realized, however, that because I could not define that point scientifically or morally I also could not advocate killing a fetus.
The debate gets mired in euphemisms on both sides, and we lose sight sometimes of what we are debating. Abortion is most definitely the killing of something. If one can honestly believe that a fetus, any fetus, is NOT a human being then a pro-choice stance is defensible. If one cannot do that, as Obama has stated he cannot, then logically one cannot advocate abortion as their position becomes ‘it might not be murder.’
Both of these men are fence sitters. You can not be a Believer and be pro-choice, approve of same-sex marriage, or be ashamed to openly talk about your faith. One of the biggest problems is that all people have lost a healthy fear for God and everything revolves around the “I” syndrome and what “I” can get out of it for “myself”
If taking a stand on abortion is above Obama’s pay grade, so , I’m afraid is the persidency of this country.
I also noted that when Senator Obama was asked if he ever voted to limit abortion–since he said that pro life and pro choice people have to find common ground in limiting abortion–he didn’t answer the question. As an conservative Christian, Rick Warren and Senator McCain were better than expected and Senator Obama seemed unprepared…
Above his pay grade! All political questions are above his pay grade. That’s why they call them “junior senators”. He wants the highest office in the world. I hope he can answer the tough questions. I want to see his resume!!! Being a lawyer does not qualify in being a leader. Dems should mute the speches and look to see what he did for Chicago. People should look at his associates. You are what you do, not what you say, and you are who you hang out with.
Obama did his usual dancing around the questions, trying to evade a direct answer.
John McCain was forth-coming with all of his answers.
We certainly know where McCain stands on all of the issues, but we are still in the dark about Obama. He wants the American people to know him, then he needs to answers the questions asked of him. He either did the politicians dance or he avoided any answer. He did this on the abortion issue when his answer was “This above my pay grade”. What on earth did that mean???
I think the American people should watch out for the Change Obama will be bringing.
“Above my pay grade???” Isn’t that like voting “present” in the Illinois legislature? How many times will a President Obama vote “present” rather than take a tough stance on behalf of the American people?
Ye be warned…what a Clintonesque answer given by a man who claims to be a Christian….ye shall know them by their fruit – NOBama – his fruit is rotten!
It’s only when we have politicians who believe that each and every person is important, that we will leave the mentality of slavery. Slavery was allowed because some were thought to be less than others. Pro life gives us all hope.
Above my pay grade = If I gave you my true answer I might loose your vote. This has been the on going problem with Obama. No precise answers and this comment speaks volumes. I do not think the man knows himself as a person just his ambition to be President. I thought the forum in which this debate was done was one of the best I have ever seen.
THAT WASN’T THE ONLY TIME OBAMA DISPLAYED HE WAS IN ABOVE HIS “PAY GRADE”.HE HEMMED AND HAWED ON MANY QUESTIONS WHILE McCAIN’S ANSWERS WERE CRISP AND PRECISE! THAT SHOW DEMONSTRATED THE VAST DIFFERENCES IN EXPERIENCE BETWEEN THE TWO CANDIDATES.
If Obama is for abortion on demand in all cases (which is his official stand), why try to soft peddle it?
He’s voted that way, he thinks that way – ok let’s have fewer unwanted pregnancies, everyone is in favor of that.
But, ‘defender of the down trodden and poor’? Give me a break, the unborn are the single most defensless group in the world.
Obama just can’t answer a question, especially one that he knows would sink him. Obama is a socialist, pure and simple who supports abortion rights, ESPECIALLY late term abortions. I love it how the media trys to paint him as a centrist; but he is as far left as you can be.STOP THE OBAMA EXPRESS
B. Hussein Obama is the least qualified candidate for President in recent history, and his response to this simple question is illustrative. When you want to be POTUS, no question or subject is “above your pay grade”. If you wish to defer to experts on matters of quantum physics, macro-economics, or ancient asian literature — fine. But it’s a pretty simple question he should have a thoughtful answer for: When does an unborn baby attain human rights? Conception? Second trimester? Third trimester? Birth? Six months? First birthday? Come on, Barack!
There was no substance to O’Bama.
If Obama is incapable of letting the voters know his belief regarding the start of human life because it “is above my pay grade”, them the voters should be reluctant to raise his pay grade to president.
If that question is above Obama’s “pay grade”, then perhaps he isn’t ready to move up a “pay grade”!
Obama has a stronger pro-abortion record than even NARAL has! This man cannot be trusted.
It was a flippant answer to a serious question. The office of President of the United States is probably beyond his pay grade as well.
For God’s sake – this man is running for President of the United States – the most powerful position in the world.
The truth is – by answering this question, it would be political suicide.
He has voted numerous times for the right to kill babies that have survived abortion. He has voted to support partial birth abortion.
This man has no respect for life, at least when it comes to a baby, the one type of citizen and human that is completely dependent on adults for survival.
This man is a disgrace!
Anyone who believes that they are a Christian and votes for Obama is simply deluded. Obama is the most pro abortion candidate the Democrats could run. In the past he has supported even partial birth abortions which are in fact infanticide. The thinking of some so called Christians is so foggy it makes me sometimes doubt the wisdom of letting them vote at all.
Above his pay grade? This guy continues to demonstrate that he has no theology and philosphy he is not willing to openly reveal to the American people. He is a trojan horse whether he knows it or not. He is the wrong person to be the President of the United States. Before you vote for him…please listen carefully to what he says and review his record. My grandson Tyler is depending on it.
Above his pay grade simply means only God knows the answer. The Bible is curiouly silent on abortion per se. Or maybe you haven’t read it? Anybody who claims to know the answer as God’s word simply doesn’t have the Bible for support on that one. That said, abortion is clearly not an ideal birth control.
John McCain is obsessed with war. If where were no war I think he would create one- just to be in battle. Go figure as long as it isn’t his or the Bushes blood that is being shed for this war of greed they don’t have souls.
I dont trust him to run this country. People are laughing at his threats to Russia. Hell, we can’t threaten anybody right now with military or sanctions. We don’t have a soldier available because McCain and the Bushes have them committed in Iraq..
Other countries are laughing at us. We have lost our credibility. China is calling the shots because of the massive loans…
What a clever way to not answer a question -again.
Sounds good, sais nothing.
Good job, John! Finally some Straight Talk Express right when we genuine social and fiscal conservatives need to see it! Obama’s duck and weave is typical of the pro-abortion crowd when they are trying to dupe the so-called “moderates”. The Democrat’s platform statement on abortion is NOT getting a wit more moderate. It merely acknowledges the “choice” to let a precious baby live if the mom sees fit. Not a meaningful change at all. Abortion remains the ultimate child abuse, and candidates that support child abuse are disqualified regardless of their position on other issues.
I have not been a supporter of John McCain’s for many years because of his “maverick” actions. However last night, I was immensely impressed with his performance and his quick and comfortable answers to the questions. He was very good. I’ve never had a choice but to vote for him, but after last night I feel a little better about having to do so.
What a coward; Obama should be proud of who he is and stand by his record of absolutely no limits on abortions at any stage, including after it is botched and the baby has a premature live birth If you cannot stand up for your own record then you are a no good politician… just like nearly all the other ones in the US Senate.
Obama is little more than the results of Marketing. As for his supporters, well, PT Barnum said it best, there’s a sucker born every minute…
It’s “above my pay grade” to state his position? Obama simply avoided stating his position. That’s Obama. But his record on the right to life is perfectly clear: the state determines who has the right to life. With this as a premise, what good are any other human rights?
This guy is dangerous, period.
Above his pay grade?! What a clown, he’s trying to become the President; there is no pay grade above that! It doesn’t matter if he’s pro or anti-abortion, he should have an answer to that question by now.
Obama…a new kind of politics, yet he still can’t give a straight answer to a basic question.
Obama voted consistantly to allow killing babies AFTER they were born. This guy is a scumbag supreme. The American Communist party (Democrats) at it’s best. Stalin, Mao, and Fidel also had a “Change you can believe in” motto…change or be executed. Don’t think it can’t happen here…
McCain is not anti-abortion. He just wants to have sufficent future co-signers for his increased national debt.
“Some centrist evangelicals have said they appreciate moves by the Democratic Party to ‘soften’ the edges of its pro-choice stand…”
Your make-him-look-not-so-extreme pro-Obama bias is showing: What are the names of these “centrist evangelicals”? When did they say they “appreciate” a softer stance on murdering of my children? Were were they when they said it? What are the exact quotes? Or were none willing to go on record? And why?
Or did you just make that so-called position up out of thin air to camouflage Obama’s perverted willingness to kill even breathing children?
I am already aware of the answers.
Obama’s response was more wavering by a “poser” who is trying to appeal to everybody while covering his true position. He disgusts me.
If answering the question on when life begins is above his pay grade, then maybe being President is above his pay grade.
Obama said “Above his pay grade??
Does that mean if we pay him more money he will decide how moral he is?
I’ll stay with the “Life at conception” argument and I don’t need more money to believe it.
Note to Mr. Obama:
Don’t you need an opinion on when life begins…to have an opinion on when man can morally and ethically end life? I can read your opinion between the lines, but still we need to be more forthright in our positions.
It’s not just above Obamas’ pay grade. It is above his spiritual awarness. To him pregnancy is a sexually transmitted disease. If the available chemicals that are used to muck up the female biology don’t work, then it is just goop that is being aborted. Even when the goop comes out kicking and screaming it is still just goop. Young couples on the T.V. ads promoting some chemical that is intended to lessen the effects of some muck that has infested their biology still claim that their lives will not be changed. Heck, they will be glad to even share it with you. It ain’t all that bad. Sex is the golden bull in Ameica. My Father used to say, ‘Son, when you mess with the bull you get the horn.’ How true.
“But for many conservative evangelicals — a key part of the evangelical base — life begins at conception…”
Should be edited to read:
“But for many conservative evangelicals – and 100% of all humans — life begins at conception…”
And as far as Obama’s pay grade is concerned, if he is incapable of safeguarding the life of an unborn child how is he possibly qualified to lead this country?
Advice to all: Instrumental worship is pure human vanity and is wholly inappropriate in the assembly. Put down your guitar, turn off your amplifier… And get on your knees.
Answering a question about abortion is above his pay grade….and this guy would have the nuclear button. Not with my vote!
Let’s hope he doesn’t think making a decision about when to defend America or one of our allies is above his pay grade.
First, Obama backed out of the townhall debates–except one on July 4th when no one would be watching. Kind of like Edwards’s interview on Nightline on the opening night of the Olympics.
After last night, Obama may try go into a complete four-corners stall and back out of the debates. Sorry, libs, but your guy is going into his convention limping. Without even facing McCain head-to-head, he got manhandled. I think even Warren started turning on him and began enabling McCain by the end because he saw his book sales plunging if he were perceived as backing a candidate as loathsome as Obama.
In the Sunday reviews, you’ll know that McCain crushed Obama because the MSM will remark over and over how well BOTH candidates did. But we all know what happened. That giant sucking sound was Obama’s candidacy going down the toilet.
Spin on, libs. I think the considerable number of fencesitters saw in spades their choice–and their choice has to be McCain.