Abstract

PIP: The Clinton-Gore ticket is solidly pro-choice. Gore was an official co-sponsor of the Freedom of Choice Act, the democratic platform endorses the Act, and Clinton has pledged to sign the Act if he becomes president. He also has pledged to make abortion a service that will be available under a universal health care program. The Bush-Quayle ticket is solidly anti-choice. Bush, who as a member of Congress was pro-choice, claims that his position has evolved until he now wants to ban it in all cases except to save the life of the mother, rape, or incest. He also is strongly against any Federal funding for abortion, or even referral for abortion. Quayle maintains his anti-choice position even though he has admitted that he would support he own daughter's decision, even if she chose abortion. The Republican party is planning on having strong anti-choice language in its platform. The issue also promises to be the most controversial issue of their convention. Political analysts insist that abortion will not be a major issue in this years election; however, the right to abortion has never been so severely threatened. A pro-choice president could undo all the restrictions placed on abortion during the Reagan-Bush era. With the stroke of a pen, the new president could revoke the Title X gag rule and the Mexico City policy (the international gag rule), restore US contribution to the UN Population Fund, eliminate the ban on abortions in US military facilities overseas, lift the import pan on RU-486, and allow federal funding for fetal tissue research.