{"id":198168,"date":"2019-03-12T10:45:53","date_gmt":"2019-03-12T15:45:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.liveaction.org\/news\/?p=198168"},"modified":"2020-04-08T10:39:13","modified_gmt":"2020-04-08T15:39:13","slug":"democratic-extreme-presidential-abortion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.liveaction.org\/news\/democratic-extreme-presidential-abortion\/","title":{"rendered":"Extreme: Where current Democratic presidential candidates stand on abortion"},"content":{"rendered":"
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EDITOR’S NOTE:<\/strong> This post will be updated as new candidates enter and leave the race.<\/em><\/p>\n

It’s only March of 2019, yet already, the race for president in the 2020 election has begun. Numerous Democrats have announced their candidacy, and for many, the election is turning into a referendum on abortion. While it is estimated that at least 20% of Democrats identify as pro-life<\/a>, and most Americans favor heavy restrictions on abortion<\/a>, the party continues to become more and more extreme. Currently, there are 14 Democratic candidates running for president<\/a>; but where do the individual candidates stand when it comes to what is arguably the nation’s most divisive — and important — issue?<\/p>\n

Marianne Williamson<\/strong><\/s>
\nUPDATE: Dropped out on January 1, 2020<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Arguably the least well-known candidate, Williamson is an author, activist, and lecturer who was the first to declare her candidacy in January. According to Williamson’s campaign site<\/a>, she is an ardent supporter of abortion, writing that she is “one-hundred percent pro-choice.” Williamson did not shy away from inflammatory language, either. “In several states, restrictive measures such as the closing of abortion clinics and forced vaginal probes are currently in play,” she said. “Planned Parenthood, a sole source of medical care for millions of women, is under attack in various states in an effort to block the availability of reproductive choice.”<\/p>\n

She vowed that, as president, she would fight any restriction placed on abortion whatsoever.<\/p>\n

Tulsi Gabbard<\/strong><\/s>
\nUPDATE: Dropped out on March 19, 2020<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Tulsi Gabbard is a Hawaiian Democrat who declared her candidacy in January. She’s a combat veteran, the youngest person ever elected to the Hawaiian state legislature, and also the first Hindu to serve in Congress. However, like other Democrats, Gabbard is an ardent abortion supporter. She has a 100% rating from NARAL<\/a> and voted against a 20-week abortion ban<\/a>, even though she once claimed to be pro-life.<\/p>\n

Amy Klobuchar<\/strong><\/s>
\nUPDATE: Dropped out on March 3rd, 2020<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

A Senator from Minnesota, Klobuchar is said to be a more moderate candidate for Democrats in the already-crowded field. But when it comes to abortion, she’s not moderate at all. She has received heavy donations<\/a> from Planned Parenthood, which undoubtedly helped her decision to vote against its defunding<\/a>. She likewise voted against the Sasse bill<\/a> on protecting infants born alive after abortion. She holds a 100% rating from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund<\/a>. She also co-sponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act<\/a>, which would ban states from setting any restrictions on abortion.<\/p>\n

John Hickenlooper<\/strong><\/s>
\nUPDATE: Dropped out August 15, 2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Previously the governor of Colorado, Hickenlooper announced his candidacy in March. While not as outspoken as other candidates on abortion, he opposes pro-life laws, and is a supporter of Planned Parenthood, once saying he could never run on a unity ticket<\/a> with Republican John Kasich, because Kasich doesn’t support the abortion giant. He also opposed<\/a> the pro-life Title X rule change, and refused to investigate<\/a> Planned Parenthood after the baby parts scandal broke.<\/p>\n

Jay Inslee<\/strong><\/s>
\nUPDATE: Dropped out on August 21, 2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Inslee currently serves as governor of Washington and is running mainly on the issue of climate change. He is, however, is less concerned about preborn babies. He has previously supported mandatory insurance coverage for abortion<\/a> in the state, something which finally became a reality in 2018<\/a>, and like Hickenlooper in Colorado, refused to investigate<\/a> Planned Parenthood after the undercover videos exposing potential illegal behavior broke.<\/p>\n

Notable quotes:<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cPlanned Parenthood provides millions of women across the country access to a full range of affordable health care and family planning services. National extremist organizations are engaged in a concerted effort to discredit, and ultimately eliminate, an organization that so many women rely on. Here in Washington state, where we have long fought to protect women\u2019s access to family planning services, Planned Parenthood is on the front lines of women\u2019s health care. I stand with them….\u201d — July 29, 2015<\/a><\/p>\n

Kirsten Gillibrand<\/strong><\/s>
\nUPDATE: Dropped out on August 28, 2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sen. Gillibrand of New York is vocally pro-abortion, with a 100% rating from NARAL<\/a>. She voted against<\/a> the recent anti-infanticide bill, and has sworn to always protect abortion<\/a>, including late-term.<\/p>\n

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I voted against the 20-week abortion ban. This bill was nothing more than another attempt by Republicans in Congress to control women's personal health care decisions.<\/p>\n

— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) January 29, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n