Daily Skiff

Issue date: 10/30/08 Section: Features

What's at stake: The next administration will have the opportunity to keep or change the decision of Roe v. Wade on abortion. "I've heard in my [pro-life] education that there's been a lot of talk about how poorly written the Roe v. Wade decision was and that it takes away the electoral process of the states in terms of deciding what the laws of the land should be," said Melinda Castro, a senior modern dance major and co-founder of TCU Students for Life. Sara Cleveland, executive director for NARAL Pro-Choice Texas, said some believe if Roe v. Wade were overturned, the issue would strictly go to the states. "However, they're not taking into consideration that there are already a number of states where abortion bans will be in effect because they have trigger bans on the books," Cleveland said. Fifteen states will immediately trigger an illegality clause for the state, Cleveland said, and 13 have anti-abortion legislatures and governors that would likely outlaw abortion if Roe v. Wade were overturned. Obama Says: Sen. Barack Obama is an abortion rights supporter. He plans to preserve the rights guaranteed in Roe v. Wade and will oppose any amendment to the decision made in that case, according to his campaign Web site. To reduce the amount of unintended pregnancies, Obama cosponsored the Prevention First Act in 2007, which will increase access to contraception, health care services and preventative care. The act also prevents discrimination from insurance companies regarding contraception, according to his Web site. McCain Says: Sen. John McCain plans to reverse the decision made in Roe v. Wade, except in cases of rape and incest. McCain wants to return the abortion decision to individual states by nominating judges who believe courts should not legislate from the bench, according to his campaign Web site. McCain plans to promote adoption as the first option for pregnant women struggling with an unwanted pregnancy.

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