A New Approach to Abortion?

This Article from MSNBC highlights how two anti-abortion Democrats are supporting Barrack Obama and suggests that there is a change in the air regarding this issue. The article suggests that both Democratic candidates for president are looking to difuse the hostility on the issue and focus more on finding the common ground that will successfully reduce the number of abortions.Asked last night at a nationally televised forum on religious and moral values if there can be "common ground" on abortion, Obama said that "people of good will can exist on both sides." With Casey watching from the audience at Messiah College outside Harrisburg, Pa., he added that while there will always be irreconcilable differences between opponents and supporters of abortion rights, "we can take some of the edge off the debate." (Robert Casey is a pro-life Democrat from Pennsylvania).

But Clinton has also sought to break from party policy, as she, too, made clear last night. She said that "I will continue to do what I can to reduce the number" of abortions, so whoever wins the nomination, Democrats are likely to try to defuse the issue in the general election. Clinton co-wrote, with Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.), a significant abortion-prevention bill in January 2005; Obama signed on early as a co-sponsor.

So, it would appear that both of the Democratic candidates have demonstrated a willingness to enter into a new dialogue about the issue.

Unfortunately, the other side is less likely to engage in such conversation. Already several conservative talking points are being circulated among pro-life groups that Obama is ' the most pro-abortion candidate ever to run for president.'

If that sounds familiar it should. They have used that line since Michael Dukakis ran in 1988 and probably before.