Today NARAL Pro-Choice America announced its support of Senator Barack Obama as the Democratic Presidential Nominee. NARAL President Nancy Keenan explains why in the Huffington Post:
I know that most of you are probably thinking, "Why did you decide to endorse Obama, and why are you doing it now?"
Sen. Obama has been a strong advocate for a woman's right to choose throughout his career in public service. (snip)
Further, I believe Sen. Obama is going to be the Democratic nominee. He leads in pledged delegates, superdelegates, the popular vote, and cash-on-hand. As a former elected official, I know that having the three "m's" of a campaign - money, message and manpower (or womanpower!) - are how we win elections. Sen. Obama will be our next president. (snip)
Finally, NARAL Pro-Choice America, as the political leader of the pro-choice movement, felt it was time to take a leadership role. (snip) ...we need to put any perceived differences behind us, and get to work putting Sen. Obama in the White House.
She also explains the endorsement in this video:
On the NARAL Pro-Choice America blog for choice, she urges NARAL supporters and members to voice their opinions.
As you can imagine, the fur is flying. Here are some sample comments:
History will not treat you kindly. You'll be remembered as part of the howling mob who tried to tear apart the woman who dared reach for the highest office in the land.
And for what? You know Obama is wishy-washy on choice. He never mentions women's issues. He clearly will not be a leader for us.
Shame on you. Shame shame shame.
By N Miller on May 14, 2008 1:58 PM
Ouch! Here's another one:
You are joining too many men in the Democratic party who would rather lose an election than nominate a woman.
By Zoe Nicholson on May 14, 2008 2:20 PM
There are calls aplenty for a withdrawal of the endorsement:
A dual endorsement earlier would have been a great way to point out the differences....what were you thinking at this point? Please reconsider your position and make a statement about both candidates' support of choice and reproductive freedom. It takes a big organization to admit a mistake.
Mary Jane Casper
California
And--here's a big shock--there are many, many threats to never, ever, EVER send NARAL a single penny ever again (take that, women of childbearing age who depend on NARAL to protect your reproductive rights!) Some are even willing to shoot themselves in the foot to punish NARAL.
I'm extremely upset, and ashamed. You just lost all my support, membership, and donations.
Kayla, who is 22.
I didn't systematically count, but the blog posts are running about ten to one against the Obama endorsement. Most say they should have waited.
If you support NARAL in what they have done by endorsing Senator Obama at this time, there are some ways you can support. One is by going to the blog for choice and posting your thoughts.
You can also make a donation to NARAL at their main website, prochoiceamerica.org.
And you can use their e-card system get the word out to others about this endorsement and about Obama's pro-choice record. Lots of the posts are attacking Obama's pro-choice record--in particular his "present" votes on choice issues on the Illinois Senate. This has been thoroughly debunked but the rumors continue. Check out this video from the former President of Chicago NOW/NARAL supporter, who switched her endorsement from Clinton to Obama because Hillary Clinton told women at pro-choice rallies that he was weak on choice, and attacked Obama on choice issues in direct mail.
There is a lot of education to do with women that the Clinton campaign has purposefully misinformed about this issue.
Update: Thanks for putting this on the rec list! Some comments included other videos in which choice advocates stand up for Obama. Here is a link to several You Tube Videos along these lines.