Planned Parenthoods have been active in the American courts. A number of cases in which Planned Parenthood has been a party have reached the Supreme Court of the United States.
Notable among these cases is the 1992 case Planned Parenthood v. Casey, where Planned Parenthood is the Southeast Pennsylvania Chapter, and Casey is the late Robert Casey, who was a pro-life Democratic Governor of Pennsylvania.
In 1992, then-Pennsylvania Gov. Robert Casey Sr., a devout Catholic, was barred from speaking at the Democratic National Convention. Party leaders claimed it was because he'd refused to endorse candidate Bill Clinton. But Casey maintained it was because of his anti-abortion views.
IT took 16 years, but an anti-abortion Bob Casey will get to speak at the Democratic convention.
Yesterday, Barack Obama offered Sen. Bob Casey Jr. (D-Pa.) - also anti-abortion - a speaking slot at this year's convention.
This is part of the Obama campaign's concerted effort to signal a more moderate approach to abortion - in hope of attracting more Catholic and evangelical votes.
Earlier this week, many Catholic and evangelical leaders expressed delight in the new abortion plank in the Democratic platform, language that they say highlights the need to reduce the number of abortions in a way previously missing.
The Rev. Joel Hunter, a former leader of the Christian Coalition and a registered Republican, called the language an "historic and courageous step," saying "Pro-lifers from both parties can now both support Barack Obama on the basis that more lives will be saved than if they had just taken a moral stand hoping to overturn Roe v. Wade. Democrats have widened their public support of those mothers who choose life."
Kristen Day of Democrats for Life says she couldn't even get her calls returned back in 2004: Anti-abortion groups just had no seat at the table. But this year, she got to speak to the head of the platform committee.
Other leaders reported that they had real, substantial involvement in the process. Said one, "They listened, they took us seriously, and they did their best to work out common ground."
Sen. Casey, represents Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Casey's consideration for a speaking slot at the 2008 convention is believed to reflect Democrats' concerns about their appeal to Catholics, who were once a reliable Democratic voting bloc but decisively favored President George W. Bush in the 2004 presidential election. Further, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama badly lost the Catholic vote in his presidential primary race against Sen. Hillary Clinton.
In the key swing state of Pennsylvania, Catholic voters preferred Clinton to Obama by a 40-point margin.
So is Obama softening his stance on abortion? Not likely; but this is a good move on his part nonetheless. It will likely sway some christian voters, especially following such positive comments as those made by Rev. Joel Hunter & Kristen Day (see above).
After all keep in mind the average voter is NOT smart, and thats what the politicians count on. Oh, you think thay are smart? You at least think your an intelligent voter? Well ok, then test yourself; Did you vote for Bush for a second term? If so then, you fail, you arent that smart, case closed.
See you in November. Long live Mccain ,a man Ive waited over 25 years to vote for. I sure hope he doesnt disappoint me by following the Bush party line. Ive always wanted Mccain because he was a maverick and thats who im hoping to get this time, not a Bush follower
