President Obama gave his long anticipated speech at Notre Dame and as you might expect, the President pulled it off in his typical graceful and eloquent fashion. Except for a few protesters, the crowd seemed respectful and receptive to his message. Not that they agreed with his position on abortion but the President was not looking to change minds as much as he was looking for people to see the bigger picture.
I think the President’s speech played it safe by not delivering any lines that were anywhere near the imaginary inflammatory line. His point was to seek common ground, especially on abortion, and the language in the speech spoke to that. What we don’t know at this point is whether those words will translate into a serious abortion reduction initiative. Top White House aides are working on something palatable right now with weekly conference calls and you can expect some movement at some point. This speech showed that President Obama has skin in the game but can he deliver the goods? More significantly, what will those “goods” be exactly? He hinted at it briefly in the speech. Read below:
So let us work together to reduce the number of women seeking abortions, let's reduce unintended pregnancies. Let's make adoption more available. Let's provide care and support for women who do carry their children to term. Let's honor the conscience of those who disagree with abortion, and draft a sensible conscience clause, and make sure that all of our health care policies are grounded not only in sound science, but also in clear ethics, as well as respect for the equality of women." Those are things we can do.
It all sounds great but let’s face it. Conservative Catholics and Evangelicals are extremely skeptical after seeing him reverse the Mexico City Policy, loosen restrictions on embryonic stem cell research, nominate Kathleen Sebelius as HHS Secretary and attempt to tighten the abortion conscience clause. They say the proof is in the pudding. They believe he’s being hypocritical by promising to reduce abortions yet making policy that would lead to more of them. It begs the question: if the President has skin in the game, what is the “bone” he’ll throw to faithful conservatives? An increase in funding for adoption agencies? That would probably be a start for some but for President Obama to really gain credibility among faithful conservatives he’ll probably have to go farther. What about an embrace of crisis pregnancy centers who have more of a pro-life message? Or a fetal pain bill? (more on that here) To quote the famous Wendy’s commercial in the 80’s, “Where’s the Beef”? (watch that commercial here) There are some conservative Evangelicals who want to give the President the benefit of the doubt on this but to use a basketball term that he’ll understand he’s going to need to “bring it strong to the rack”. (watch what I mean here) Will it mean ticking off pro-choice groups? Yes. Common ground has a price.
The speech hit on a lot of common ground language. Read some of it below and then get my take:
I do not suggest that the debate surrounding abortion can or should go away. Because no matter how much we may want to fudge it _ indeed, while we know that the views of most Americans on the subject are complex and even contradictory _ the fact is that at some level, the views of the two camps are irreconcilable. Each side will continue to make its case to the public with passion and conviction. But surely we can do so without reducing those with differing views to caricature.
I will not pretend that the challenges we face will be easy, or that the answers will come quickly, or that all our differences and divisions will fade happily away _ because life is not that simple. It never has been. But as you leave here today, remember the lessons of Cardinal Bernardin, of Father Hesburgh, of movements for change both large and small. Remember that each of us, endowed with the dignity possessed by all children of God, has the grace to recognize ourselves in one another; to understand that we all seek the same love of family, the same fulfillment of a life well lived. Remember that in the end, in some way we are all fishermen.
You have to give the President credit for even venturing into this area of abortion and common ground. With all that is on his plate, he could easily punt on abortion reduction talk. Let’s face it. It is risky politically but this President doesn’t seem to shy away from big challenges. He embraces them.
Speaking of embraces, the President came to Notre Dame with an open armed bear hug aimed at American Catholics as a whole. From talk about reducing abortions, to his major shout out to former archbishop, Cardinal Joseph Bernadin and Father Ted Hesburgh of Notre Dame as well as his own community organizing ties to the Catholic Church,this was the President's attempt at a full frontal embrace of American Catholics. To be sure, not all Catholics will see it that way but the President gets points for trying.
And as for future challenges, I think this whole Notre Dame controversy has been an opening for many in the pro-life Catholic and Evangelical communities in their attempt to expose President Obama on the abortion issue. Make no mistake that they will try and play the hypocrisy card as 2012 approaches.
A larger issue seems to be a cultural war among Catholics that is being played out with President Obama as the centerpiece. You have pro-life conservative Catholics vs moderate and progressive Catholics. Each side is trying to frame the political debate. For conservative Catholics, abortion is the main issue. For moderate Catholics, the issues center more on torture, healthcare, human rights, the Iraq War and a womb to tomb mentality. The President won the Catholic vote in 2008 because he appealed to many moderate Catholics who were able to get past his pro-choice position. The Notre Dame controversy has crystallized this debate about Catholic values. Can pro-life Catholics reshape the debate?
Video of the President's speech at Notre Dame is here and the full text ishere.