Can Catholics Vote For Pro-Choice Politicians?

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Words matter. I think we can all agree about that. Words especially matter in the platforms of political parties, for by those words each party is to be judged, and Catholics must first determine what each party thinks about moral issues of special importance to us all before they can make an informed decision.

Take for instance the question of abortion.

The 2008 Democrat platform says:

"The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe V. Wade and a woman's right to choose a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay, and we oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right."

Notice, the Democrats believe every woman has the right to have her abortion paid for, and the party resists any attempt to ever challenge that right. I can't think of a stronger way in the English language to commit oneself to abortion on demand.

The platform also says:

"We also recognize that ... health care and education help reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and thereby also reduce the need for abortions ... [we] strongly support a woman's decision to have a child."

A quick observation: why would the democrat platform wish to reduce the need for something all women have an absolute right to? In admitting that abortion is not desirable, why do they close the door on ever threatening access to it?

Now let's look at the 2008 Republican platform on the same topic. Some excerpts:

"We lament that judges have denied the people their right to set abortion policies in the states"

"We oppose school-based clinics that provide referrals, counseling, and related services for abortion and contraception."

"We oppose using public revenues to promote or perform abortion and will not fund organizations which advocate it."

And most importantly:

"We all have a moral obligation to assist, not to penalize, women struggling with the challenges of an unplanned pregnancy. At its core, abortion is a fundamental assault on the sanctity of innocent human life. Women deserve better than abortion. Every effort should be made to work with women considering abortion to enable and empower them to choose life. We salute those who provide them alternatives, including pregnancy care centers, and we take pride in the tremendous increase in adoptions that has followed Republican legislative initiatives."

Which position sounds more Catholic to you? Which party would seem to produce candidates acceptable to a Catholic voting with an informed conscience?