Pro-Life Democrats?

Pike1483 · #1 06-06-2004, 04:03 AM

If their are any Pro-Lifers out there that are Democrats, please explain this to me. I don't understand how anyone who claims to be Pro-Life can be a Democrat since Democrat Platform supports abortions. To me, abortion is about human life, and human life is a big enough issue for me not to be a democrat. I would think that for most Pro-Life democrats also. The only thing I can think of about Pro-Life democrats is that they care more about the other issues/platforms of the democratic party than that of human life. Comments? I really would like some insight on this, and I'm not trying to start a big argument over abortion on this, there are plenty of other threads about that. I mainly want some insight from Pro-Life Democrats as to why they are pro-life, and why they are democrat. Also, I'm not implying that you can't be pro-life and democrat, so don't get mad, I just really would like some insight on this.

Note: I'm a Pro-Life Republican just so there isn't any confusion.

moe.ron · #2 06-06-2004, 05:06 AM

http://www.democratsforlife.org/

Dionysus · #3 06-06-2004, 09:33 AM

I'm pro-life and democrat. I'm not a strong democrat though. It's the lesser of two evils IMO. This is more common than you think. I grew up in a entire church that was pro-life and democrat. I didn't even know that pro-life was a republican issue into I started college and switched churches. Some will make the same argument about republicans who are in favor of the death penalty.

Kevin · #4 06-06-2004, 10:03 AM

I'm Republican, will vote Republican and am (mostly) pro-choice. I also am in favor of less restrictions on gambling and gay marriage/adoption. I, however am against growing the government any larger than it is, wasteful spending, government programs intended to be the solution to all problems.

In my opinion, if your vote is based on one single issue, it is an uninformed vote. You're not really irresponsible (it's your vote, I don't care what you do with it), but let's just say that there are things that are going to effect your daily life much more than abortion. Without a constitutional amendment, abortion will probably always be legal -- and that just ain't gonna happen.

edited to change a word left by poor proofreading

Dionysus · #5 06-06-2004, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ktsnake
In my opinion, if your vote is based on one single issue, it is an uninformed vote. You're not really irresponsible (it's your vote, I don't care what you do with it), but let's just say that there are things that are going to effect your daily life much more than abortion. Without a constitutional amendment, consitution will probably always be legal -- and that just ain't gonna happen.

Very true!

honeychile · #6 06-06-2004, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pike1483
If their are any Pro-Lifers out there that are Democrats, please explain this to me. I don't understand how anyone who claims to be Pro-Life can be a Democrat since Democrat Platform supports abortions. To me, abortion is about human life, and human life is a big enough issue for me not to be a democrat. I would think that for most Pro-Life democrats also. The only thing I can think of about Pro-Life democrats is that they care more about the other issues/platforms of the democratic party than that of human life. Comments? I really would like some insight on this, and I'm not trying to start a big argument over abortion on this, there are plenty of other threads about that. I mainly want some insight from Pro-Life Democrats as to why they are pro-life, and why they are democrat. Also, I'm not implying that you can't be pro-life and democrat, so don't get mad, I just really would like some insight on this.

Note: I'm a Pro-Life Republican just so there isn't any confusion.

I was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention a few years ago. When I realized that, as such, I was supporting a platform that was fundamentally pro-choice, I knew that I could no longer honestly support the Democratic party. I got through the Convention, and changed parties soon afterwards.

mr. honeychile is a registered Democrat, but is the leader of the pro-life group in his city. He feels that he can do this without tainting his beliefs, but I think it has much more to do with his living in the city & that Republicans are more or less disenfranchised in major cities (at least, his).

BirthaBlue4 · #7 06-06-2004, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ktsnake
In my opinion, if your vote is based on one single issue, it is an uninformed vote. You're not really irresponsible (it's your vote, I don't care what you do with it), but let's just say that there are things that are going to effect your daily life much more than abortion. Without a constitutional amendment, abortion will probably always be legal -- and that just ain't gonna happen.

I'm pro-life, and kind of a Democrat but I have to agree with kt. abortion is not the only issue. Even though I hate the thought of abortion for general, non-health/rape reasons, there are other Republican issues that I DON'T agree with that are more critical. LIke KT said, it will probably always be legal, and will take crucial measure to completely outlaw, so I will focus on other issues that have a chance of change.

sairose · #8 06-06-2004, 06:26 PM

I am a Democrat, and I'm pro life.

It comes down to this. While, yes, this is one of the Democrat party's platforms, I DO agree with everything else that Democrats do...while I do NOT support most Republican platforms/beliefs. Even though I am very pro life, it wouldn't make sense for me to be a Republican just for that platform when there's Republican issues I strongly oppose.

Do you agree with everything that the Republican party stands for? I mean, every single thing? Most likely not. Which is okay, and completely normal. I think it would be impossible to agree 100% with your political party.

I hope this makes sense!

Pike1483 · #9 06-07-2004, 12:47 AM

Thanks for the insight everybody. Also glad we can keep this thread civil and not get all argumentavie and stuff.
I'm pro-life, but that's definately not the only reason I'm a republican, so don't be mistaken. I'm conservative, against big government, against affirmative action (nice thing at first, but it's gotta end sometime), and many other typically republican beliefs. Abortion is just a big issue to me personally because it involves human life, and I wanted some feedback on the issue.
Also, in my area, if I ever ran for a State Senate seat or something, I might run as a democrat just to get elected, because on a local level, they have generally been in power for a while here. I wouldn't push for any democrat platforms, though, I'm a republican at heart. It is starting to change somewhat, though, our Govenor is a Republican.
Thanks for all your comments.

honeychile · #10 06-07-2004, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sairose
I am a Democrat, and I'm pro life.

It comes down to this. While, yes, this is one of the Democrat party's platforms...

True, but as a delegate, I was to sign that I would support the platform. It was morally wrong - in my eyes - to do so.

The only reason that I'm a Republican is that we have closed primaries in my state, and if I were an independent, I could only vote on issues, not candidates during the primary.

sairose · #11 06-07-2004, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by honeychile
True, but as a delegate, I was to sign that I would support the platform. It was morally wrong - in my eyes - to do so.

The only reason that I'm a Republican is that we have closed primaries in my state, and if I were an independent, I could only vote on issues, not candidates during the primary.

That si completely understandable. If I was a delegate, I most likely would have done the same thing.

GeekyPenguin · #12 06-07-2004, 01:03 PM

I don't think being a pro-life Democrat is much different than being a member of the Log Cabin Republicans.

I was pro-choice long before I thought I was a Democrat.

Rudey · #13 06-07-2004, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GeekyPenguin
I don't think being a pro-life Democrat is much different than being a member of the Log Cabin Republicans.

I was pro-choice long before I thought I was a Democrat.

Ummm I think it very much is. More than 25% of homosexuals are Republicans and the group is able to exert its influence very well on the Republican party. In fact their membership rose over the previous year in order to voice their concerns. Now if you're trying to pin the Christian movement on Republicans, perhaps it'd be best to remember that not only do most Americans (Republican and Democrat) hold consensus views on gay marriage, but that Christian voting bloc belonged to Democrats through Carter and voted alongside Reagan; that same movement is having doubts about the Republican leadership currently.

-Rudey

GeekyPenguin · #14 06-07-2004, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rudey
Ummm I think it very much is. More than 25% of homosexuals are Republicans and the group is able to exert its influence very well on the Republican party. In fact their membership rose over the previous year in order to voice their concerns. Now if you're trying to pin the Christian movement on Republicans, perhaps it'd be best to remember that not only do most Americans (Republican and Democrat) hold consensus views on gay marriage, but that Christian voting bloc belonged to Democrats through Carter and voted alongside Reagan; that same movement is having doubts about the Republican leadership currently.

-Rudey

But the DoMA was passed due to pressure from the Republican party, and Republican leadership has made it part of their agenda. Also, didn't the president of the DC area Republican chapter step down after his delegate papers would not be certified because he was gay? I think I read that somewhere.

I wouldn't say the Democratic platform is pro-abortion - it's pro-choice. there's a huge difference, IMO.