September 20, 2008
Posted: 09:03 AM ET
What actually is McCain's abortion stance.
What actually is McCain's abortion stance.

The Statement:

Sen. Barack Obama said at a rally in Coral Gables, Florida, on September 19 that Sen. John McCain views Roe v. Wade as a "flawed decision" and that the senator has been running "on a platform to outlaw abortion, even in cases of rape and incest."

Get the facts after the jump!

Facts:

The remark that McCain views the Supreme Court's Roe v Wade ruling as a "flawed decision" is an accurate quote from McCain's Web site.

The issue of exceptions for victims of rape and incest is more nuanced.

McCain has personally expressed support in the past for exceptions in cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother. He did so, for example, on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" on February 26, 2006.

"My position has been consistently pro-life but rape, incest and the health of the mother has been my position," McCain said.

A McCain campaign spokesman told CNN that the candidate continues to support such exceptions, though they are not specifically addressed on his Web site or the GOP platform.

The Republican Party platform calls for a human life amendment to the Constitution. But abortion rights advocates such as National Organization for Women President Kim Gandy say that's tantamount to banning "all abortion for any reason in all 50 states."

Verdict
Accurate in reference to Roe v Wade, but misleading because McCain is cast as a supporter of a hard-line interpretation of the Republican platform, even though he has said the opposite.

Filed under: Barack Obama • Fact Check • John McCain


alexa   September 21st, 2008 7:35 am ET

Yeah but atleast he didn't purposely opposed the Born Alive Infact Act!! (I think it's called like that.)

Bandido   September 20th, 2008 2:58 pm ET

I have to go with the Big O on this one. Especially since the crime rate has gone substantially down, almost eighteen years to the day, following Roe v Wade. It’s a proven fact that "unwanted children" are more likely to become criminals. All those unwanted kids never grew up to attack us. Keep up the good work O, and keep those unborn criminals from being born.

jon   September 20th, 2008 2:25 pm ET

wow. Actually calling Obama out on a lie!

Obama been running around the country lying for over a year. Press doesn't seem to care.

Now how about addressing-
McCain = Bush
McCain = 200 billion for special interests.
McCain's leadership of senate Commerce Committee vs no understanding of economics.
McCains health
McCain foreign policy experience vs Sunni/Shia
McCain on immigration
McCain on reform

All Obama's smears. He lies and looks good in a suit. Do your job Press!

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