Center For American Progress Initiative January 15, 2009: Reproductive Rights

It is no coincidence that the Center For American Progress is shaping the debate and policies of this administration.  If you don't know anything about CAP or John Podesta, here's a quote for David Horowitz's 'discover the networks' site.  

After Barack Obama was elected President in 2008, CAP served as perhaps the most influential organization advising the new administration. Among Obama's leading advisers were John Podesta and at least ten additional CAP experts. CAP formulates policy for the administration and supplies the White House with a steady stream of talking points designed to make that policy palatable to the public. Indeed, as of December 2008, before then-President-elect Obama had even taken his oath of office, he had already pledged his intent to fulfill some of CAP's chief policy recommendations. These included the Center's call for a gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq coupled with a buildup of forces in Afghanistan, a plan to implement universal health-care coverage, and a plan to create “green jobs” designed to combat “global warming.” According to Bloomberg.com, CAP “has become ... an intellectual wellspring for Democratic policy proposals, including many that are shaping the agenda of the ... Obama administration.” 

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Time for a Change in the Reproductive Rights Debate

January 15, 2009, 9:30am – 11:00am


About This Event

"I am somebody who believes that Roe versus Wade was rightly decided. I think that abortion is a very difficult issue and it is a moral issue and one that I think good people on both sides can disagree on."

-President-Elect Obama in the Third 2008 Presidential Debate

{01:10} Of the video, Matt Hager from CNSNews.com asks the panel how they would be defend tax payer funded abortions when so many people don't support abortion.


{01:17} Of the video, the panelist that responded to the question was Jessica Aarons. Ms. Aarons said that "There are a number of things that our taxes support that people disagree with. We live in a pluralistic society, a very diverse society. We have taxes funding the war in Iraq..that have funded torture, that have funded extraordinary rendition, Guantanamo...and that's just one set of issues where we know that taxes are going to that not everyone in this country agrees with and has fundamental objections to. Nevertheless, again, to the extent that we recognize rights in this country, they ought to apply to everyone so that is how I would justify tax payer funding for abortion. It is a citizens obligation to provide taxes for the common good and welfare and even if you disagree on certain issues, overall we set policy and our taxes go to support all of those policies."


{01:22} Of the video, Malika Saada Saar goes on to say that Reproductive Justice Movement, The Women Of Color Movement and hand in hand with Reproductive justice, are economic rights, the rights to our children, the rights to daycare, the rights to good education for our children. Those that have fought for us needs to give us the opportunity for new voices that have either been silent, somewhat dishonored, or ignored...to be able to come in an push the confines and the boundaries of how we discuss reproductive rights for the last 25 years.......she ends it with she see the issue of reproductive rights being a human right.


During the 2008 campaign, President-Elect Barack Obama repeatedly voiced themes of change, unity, and innovation. How will the new administration bring those themes to bear on a topic as divisive as reproductive rights?


How will it balance Obama's commitment to the reproductive rights recognized in Roe v. Wade with his commitment to a new, less divisive politics? Are there areas of common ground where meaningful progress can be achieved and issues that should never be compromised?


Join us for a lively discussion of these and other pressing questions.
Featured Speakers:
Jessica Arons, Director, Women's Health & Rights Program, Center for American Progress
Geeta Rao Gupta , President, International Center for Research on Women
Malika Saada Saar , Founder and Executive Director, Rebecca Project for Human Rights
James Wagoner , President, Advocates for Youth
Moderated by:
Shira Saperstein, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress; Deputy Director and Program Director for Women's Rights and Reproductive Health, Moriah Fund

Location

Center for American Progress
1333 H St. NW, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20005