By Jaketapper

Aug 17, 2008 1:33am

Obama Accuses Anti-Abortion Opponents of “Lying”

In an interview with CBN’s David Brody after the Saddleback Forum, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, said his anti-abortion opponents were misrepresenting his position on an abortion bill in Illinois.

Watch HERE.

You may recall, we told you about this bill waaaaaaay back in January.

Here’s what Obama had to say tonight about how this bill is being portrayed.

Obama: Well and because they have not been telling the truth. And I hate to say that people are lying, but here’s a situation where folks are lying. I have said repeatedly that I would have been completely in, fully in support of the federal bill that everybody supported – which was to say –that you should provide assistance to any infant that was born – even if it was as a consequence of an induced abortion. That was not the bill that was presented at the state level. What that bill also was doing was trying to undermine Roe vs. Wade. By the way, we also had a bill, a law already in place in Illinois that insured life saving treatment was given to infants.

So for people to suggest that I and the Illinois medical society, so Illinois doctors were somehow in favor of withholding life saving support from an infant born alive is ridiculous. It defies commonsense and it defies imagination and for people to keep on pushing this is offensive and it’s an example of the kind of politics that we have to get beyond. It’s one thing for people to disagree with me about the issue of choice, it’s another thing for people to out and out misrepresent my positions repeatedly, even after they know that they’re wrong. And that’s what’s been happening.

-jpt

User Comments

Whaaaa call Obama a Whambulance. What a cry baby. No thanks to a President Obama. He need about 8 more years to grow up.

Posted by: Jay | August 17, 2008, 2:11 am 2:11 am

Jay: So you’d prefer a president who doesn’t point out when people are lying?

Posted by: jhw539 | August 17, 2008, 2:23 am 2:23 am

Obama is trying to talk his way out of something again.
Does he actually think just because he says something it is true.
I think Obama told Jill at a hearing
why he would not pass the bill stopping live birth abortions.
something really stupid, like
The mothers should not have to suffer or something real close.

Posted by: seah | August 17, 2008, 2:36 am 2:36 am

Ruben: If you bothered to click to the January column you would find a link to the real bill, SB1093. Your “evidence” is bears no resemblance to the text of the actual bill that was being referred to here. As Senator Obama put it in his interview, “folks are lying” about this. Don’t be lazy and made into a liar too – spend a minute to look up the truth (the text of SB1093).

Posted by: jhw539 | August 17, 2008, 2:38 am 2:38 am

It’s about time someone started calling some of these charges (on both sides) for what they are…LIES.
This is one of the reasons for the across board support of Obama. If we don’t change our politics from who’s best at gotcha’s and smears, we are doomed for more government like we’ve seen the last eight years.
Will Obama be able to pull off changing the tenor of politics? Not by himself and maybe not at all. But my vote for him will be the only way I can register my deep desire to at least try.
What I’ve seen from what I thought was an honorable man is shameful in this campaign. If outside groups are lying about his opponent, he should call them out and he should get his Rove clone campaign under his honorable mantle.
Of course the media COULD go a long way toward stopping this sort of lying and smearing by simply reporting the facts rather than continually talking up the latest greatest *how bad is this* smear.
Neither is likely to happen, so it’s up to voters like me to at least try to clean up our system. I can only pray there are more of us than not as I doubt we’ll survive another admin like the one we have now.

Posted by: G Davis | August 17, 2008, 3:13 am 3:13 am

Statistics show that when Republicans are in power, abortion rates increase. When Republicans are in power, poverty rates also increase. Abortion and poverty are inextricably linked. If you don’t like abortion, why don’t you vote for the candidate whose policies are more likely to bring working-class income standards back up to where they once were? If you want to reduce violence in the womb, vote for Obama because he is the candidate most likely make parenthood affordable again. A McCain presidency will mean more poverty and more abortions for the working class.

Posted by: Hilary Smith | August 17, 2008, 3:30 am 3:30 am

tomorrow morning when this hits and the evidence comes out- Barack goes down 10 points in the polls.
I guess Barack missed the NRLC’s release showing he voted against the carbon copy of the federal bill that included the redundant “not encroaching on Roe v Wade” clause.
Barack came to a duel with a water gun in his pocket and the NRLC came with a cannon. its going to be fun watching him try to spin out of this.

Posted by: mb | August 17, 2008, 3:33 am 3:33 am

Given that the Republicans cannot win on the issue`’s, the are starting up their wedge politics of division, lies and distortions. There will be a boomerang effect for Republicans this fall.Obama in the whitehouse & 60 Democratic Senators and at least 10% increase in House Seats is about the right price for Republicans.
Obama 08

Posted by: Elitist | August 17, 2008, 4:12 am 4:12 am

I just did the research and think I understand what he is saying. He voted yes to the amendment to the bill that provides care to babies born after attempted abortion. He did, however, vote no to the bill because the language in it would have undermined Roe v Wade in that it said anything born with a beating heart would be considered human and thus could be used as justification to undermine a woman’s right to abort. So, he said that if the bill passes he wants to ensure that care is provided in the case of a failed abortion, but will not himself vote for the bill because its language undermines a woman’s rights. I understand and applaud his actions. If the advocates for this bill were concerned about providing care for partial births then they would have been willing to modify the questionable language. I do thank Jill Stanek for her footwork in this and applaud her efforts though I disagree with her position and think that she is misrepresenting the arguments made against the bill.

Posted by: missing the point | August 17, 2008, 5:58 am 5:58 am

I find it ironic that when conservatives point out the failures of a liberal it is bashing; when the reverse happens it is for the good of the people. Wake up people. Rather than whine about what is said about your candidate, look at their record. Oßama’s record is the most liberal (When he voted at all) voting record in the Senate.
If his support of post-partum abortion is the same as making someone that is bed-ridden to fend for themselves. His theory is that if they can’t feed themselves they need to die. Odd since that’s is voting base.
And about the comment about the so-called fairness doctrine. You’ve got to be kidding me. Talk radio is the fairness to the typical liberal-bias to the “mainstream” media.

Posted by: Jim Mc | August 17, 2008, 7:58 am 7:58 am

“Obama at the time said he took particular issue with the part of the bill that defined a “born alive” child as “every infant member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive at any stage of development.” ”
Once more Obama lies.
He is verbally voting “present” again.

Posted by: drjohn | August 17, 2008, 8:27 am 8:27 am

Wow I have never seen Obama so forceful in his answer. That was a good answer.

Posted by: vickie | August 17, 2008, 8:29 am 8:29 am

Obviously, the point he’s making about the actual language and intent of this particular bill is too complex for many posters here to comprehend. Few will take the time to read the bill and will instead take the word of others (many of which are questionable sources) to do the thinking for them. That’s how many were roped into thinking that a war in Iraq was justified. That’s also how we ended up with a completely incompetent president.

Posted by: mary | August 17, 2008, 8:48 am 8:48 am

Obama is Mr. Partial Birth Abortion.
NARAL agrees. 100% rating for Obama.

Posted by: drjohn | August 17, 2008, 8:55 am 8:55 am

In the Illinois Senate – Obama voted for a gas tax suspension.
In fact, he said he wanted his name on every gas pump!
But when Hillary and McCain proposed a gas tax suspension – Obama said it was a gimmick!
Obama flip flops with the wind…

Posted by: JoseyJ | August 17, 2008, 8:58 am 8:58 am

JoseyJ,
That was the point. Obama said this. He tried it in Illinois and saw the negative outcome. From past experience he know it doesn’t work. That’s why he opposes the gas tax holiday.

Posted by: Vanessa | August 17, 2008, 9:12 am 9:12 am

Majority of American’s disagree with the Anti-Abortion Opponents. Anther wedge issue tailored made for Rove/Schmit who want to store up their base. Its clear that we are seeing the Republican attack machine version of the kitchen sink the last few weeks – Throw as many attacks at Obama at once and hope one sticks. The Republican kitchen sink attack will last right to election day. The problem with the Republican Kitchen sink concept is that McCain has no uplifting message for the Voter. Are the Republicans throwing all their eggs in one basket with negative ads and wedge issues?

Posted by: Elizabeth | August 17, 2008, 9:29 am 9:29 am

“Whole Life” — not just one issue.
Obama 08!

Posted by: Common Sense | August 17, 2008, 9:29 am 9:29 am

Obama is the one who is not being truthful about the reason he voted against saving a life of a baby born alive after an abortion. Here are the facts. Obama claimed that the reason he voted against the bill in Illinois to protect infants born alive after an abortion was because it lacked a pre-birth neutrality provision. However Obama has just been caught in another lie. The National Rights Life Committee (NRLC) tracked the bill through its entire path and and discovered that the bill did have the codicil neutrality provision attached. Not only that then state Senator Obama presided over the Health and Human Services Commitee that was responsible for attaching the neutraliby revision, verbatim from the Federal Bill plus Obama voted in support of adding the amendment Immediately after voting for this provision, however, Obama voted against the revised bill with the neutrality clause included.
Clearly, Obama lied about his position. It’s no small rhetorical matter, either. Obama’s vote against this bill puts him on the extreme end of the pro-abortion camp,. Obama is so extreme on this issue that not a single member of Congress would follow his example. Obama voted to allow Christ Hospital and other facilities performing abortions to allow live children to die.
By the way when Obama stated that answering a question about when an unborn baby should be afforded human rights “is above his pay grade”, what he really meant is that the office of the President of the US “is above his paygrade”.

Posted by: Mary | August 17, 2008, 9:39 am 9:39 am

Like Obama himself said, this kinda of issue is above is pay grade. Now all his “present” votes make sense. The issues were above his pay grade so he didn’t vote on them.

Posted by: p0s3r | August 17, 2008, 9:46 am 9:46 am

Elisabeth, Are you in favor of saving the life of a baby born alive after an abortion? The majority of people would answer yes. Obama voted against a bill that would save a baby born alive after an abortion making him an extremist when it comes to being pro abortion and out of sync with the majority of Americans, I would say even you. As to abortion being a “wedge issue” Obama’s extremists views on abortion tells you a lot about Obama’s moral code and judgment. Personally speaking, I do not one someone in the White House who appears to be in favor of infanticide than lies about his position in favor of this.

Posted by: Mary | August 17, 2008, 9:47 am 9:47 am

That was the point. Obama said this. He tried it in Illinois and saw the negative outcome. From past experience he know it doesn’t work. That’s why he opposes the gas tax holiday.
Please don’t equate allowing a live child to die with the gas tax holiday!
He has been called out on his thin resume and doesn’t take well to critique. Thin resume and thin skin do not bode well for a presidential candidate. Perhaps this is why he declines any additional opportunities to debate issues with Senator McCain? Just a thought ….

Posted by: beebop | August 17, 2008, 9:56 am 9:56 am

MOVEON.ORG loved Obama’s very pro Abortion stance so much they endorsed him and they never have endorsed anyone.

Posted by: nicloe | August 17, 2008, 10:23 am 10:23 am

During one of Obama’s rambling answers (off prompter)a few months ago, he said something about not wanting a teenager “punished” by having a baby.
And of course the media just ignored this horrible statement. But it appears to be the way Obama thinks about unwanted babies…by looking at his voting record.
At the forum last night, Obama was so afraid to take a stand he wouldn’t even give a direct response to when a baby’s rights begin.

Posted by: riley | August 17, 2008, 10:46 am 10:46 am

Obama’s statements on PREVENTING abortions from happening can’t be any more plain. Abortion may never have come to reality if the extreme fanatical so-called religious people would not have condemned and ostracized the unwed mothers in the past and even to this day.

Posted by: hiddentruth | August 17, 2008, 11:22 am 11:22 am

never seen a man whine so much in my life never mind a presidential candidate agree with bush or not he dont whine and look at the daily attacks he takes

Posted by: rick | August 17, 2008, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm

If Senator Obama doesnt have any idea when life begin.Then why he approve of a law who terminate the life of a baby in any stage of development.We all should look in the mirror and said,yes we are those babies too, but luckier.

Posted by: MFB | August 17, 2008, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm

For as long as I could remember, the Republican Right Wing has attempted to undermine Roe v Wade with sneaky wording. If one claims life begins at a certain point, or that an aborted fetus is in fact a baby – that’s it, R v W is out……

Posted by: irma | August 17, 2008, 12:40 pm 12:40 pm

Look who is talking. The compulsive liar is accusing others in the audocity of hope that he can mislead intelligent Americans.

Posted by: CJ | August 17, 2008, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm

Obama’s own words ‘I would not punish my daughters with babies’ – says it all about thus compulsive liar who thinks Americans have no brains to not understand his smoke and mirror tactics.

Posted by: CJ | August 17, 2008, 12:48 pm 12:48 pm

Well, this is interesting. A case where both sides are right, from a certain point of view.
The purpose of BAIPA at the Illinois state level, was to undermine Roe. That is beyond dispute. There were already laws on the books protecting infants born alive.
However, it is also correct that the federal BAIPA language (IL Senate Amendment 1 for the 93rd Session) mirrored the neutrality language (language expressly protecting Roe and not expanding rights or definitions for the fetus) was included in SB 1082 BAIPA for the 93rd Session in IL.
Obama voted for the amendments inclusion, than torpedoed the bill. I don’t know why.
It seems Obama maybe overreacted, considering his pending run for the Senate, I don’t know, but he is fibbing about this to some extent.
From a larger perspective, Obama is right–rules on the books protected infants, and this bill was clearly designed to undermine Roe. However, once the neutralization clause was included, Obama still voted against it.
Interesting. Of course, It doesn’t change my support for Obama :-) But the right to lifers now have their wedge issue du jour.

Posted by: ChrisNBama | August 17, 2008, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm

I find it amazing that the best triple talker politician in history would accuse anybody of lying.
Orookie’s entire campain is predicated on disguising his long held and well-documented policy positions.

Posted by: notafool | August 17, 2008, 3:21 pm 3:21 pm

“Obviously, the point he’s making about the actual language and intent of this particular bill is too complex for many posters here to comprehend. Few will take the time to read the bill and will instead take the word of others ”
Mary, obviously it is too difficult for you to comprehend that the language of the Illinois bill contained the EXACT SAME language as the Senate bill that passed 98-0 – he voted for the amendment, but voted against the bill. Get your facts straight.

Posted by: CS | August 17, 2008, 6:44 pm 6:44 pm

Look who is talking. The compulsive liar is accusing others in the audocity of hope that he can mislead intelligent Americans.
Posted by: CJ | Aug 17, 2008 12:45:26 PM
You are the biggest liar and cheat, Mr Obama. You may have fooled your loony supporters but you can’t fool the rest of America.
I don’t mind if someone is not too competent but I can’t stand a liar.

Posted by: janephilip | August 18, 2008, 3:46 am 3:46 am

(RENO, Nev.) Democrat Barack Obama met Sunday with Texas oil baron and longtime conservative activist T. Boone Pickens to discuss strategies for developing alternative energy.
The presidential hopeful praised Pickens as a “legendary entrepreneur” and deflected a question about the billionaire’s role in helping to fund a television ad campaign that undermined John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic nominee.
Newsweek
Anti-Christ Obama will do or say anything to get elected.

Posted by: janephilip | August 18, 2008, 4:01 am 4:01 am

The evidence seems to indicate that Obama is not telling the truth. The later version of the bill included the language he asked for yet he still did not vote yes. To be consistant he would have had to vote no on the federal bill which others like Boxer and Clinton supported. Obama clearly believes that if an abortion was intended then the baby should be aborted even if he/she is already born.

Posted by: Erik | August 18, 2008, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm

The purpose of BAIPA – Illinois was to protect innocent life post-birth. The reason the legislation came about is that a concerned nurse revealed that in the process of performing an abortion the baby was born alive. The staff in charge in no way cared for the baby nor allowed anyone else to take care of the baby. The baby eventually died. Many babies are born early and even those that are born full term need care – they are babies. Obama says there were already laws on the books protecting infants born alive. If that is the case then why was this baby not protected? Was the hospital staff prosecuted?

Posted by: Erik | August 18, 2008, 3:57 pm 3:57 pm

Obama has been caught flat out in a lie that is a matter of public record. His slippery tongued excuses are equally shown to be false as a matter of public record. He is counting on blind faith of his supporters and ignorance of the voters. I think both issues are trivial compared to the key issue.
We have running for President of the United States someone who believes a baby should be killed after birth if the mother wanted an abortion. So at what point does the mother no longer have the right to have her baby killed? I believe he has covered that question under his trite “That question is above my pay grade” response. Does that mean he would leave it up to the mother when the baby is too old to kill? Let’s hope his mom doesn’t get mad at him!
The man is not simply a liar, a liar about being a liar, and a slimy worm when it comes to a pretty basic question about life. The issue is not Choice versus Right to Life. The issue is that the man is totally lacking in a moral compass of his own, so lacking in judgement that in order to please radical pro-abortion advocates that he has voted to kill live babies, a position the most radical pro-abortion activists have never had the stupidity to take. He is the only living holder of public office to have taken that position.
Obama’s supporters need to check it out and see if they really want to support someone who supports not just killing live fetuses, but live babies.

Posted by: ragnar30066 | August 18, 2008, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm

Obama is the master prevaricator. It is the one skill he has that is unmatched by any other politician. Every word that comes out of his mouth is a distortion. God help us all if the American people are suckered in to electing this slick affectatious arrogant elitist creep.

Posted by: Trep | August 19, 2008, 11:30 pm 11:30 pm

This is just more garbage.
Here are the FACTS:
The Federal Law, and the State Laws were not identical. What Senator Obama voted against, was a PACKAGE of bills, that would have held Doctors liable for even pre-viable fetuses, thereby, in effect superceding Roe v Wade.
Eventually, there was a compromise reached (after Obama went to DC), which added language stating that it should not be interpreted “to affect existing federal or state law regarding abortion” or “to alter generally accepted medical standards.”
If you want to disagree with Obama on abortion… cool.
But, this stuff is pure garbage, and it’s sad that people fall for this fiction.
The hatred people on the Right feel, for those they disagree with, is getting really scary.

Posted by: jon | August 19, 2008, 11:54 pm 11:54 pm

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