Sarah Palin Derails
Sarah Palin Derails "Straight-Talk Express"
Muddles through questions about a McCain-Palin administration’s policies on contraception and a woman’s right to choose.
Washington, DC -- In an interview with Katie Couric, Gov. Sarah Palin once again exposes her extreme anti-choice record, and refuses to give a straight answer when it comes to important reproductive-health issues. Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, criticized Palin today for her contradictory statements on contraception and ducking direct questions on her opposition to protecting access to abortion-care for rape or incest survivors.
"Sarah Palin’s disjointed and contradictory answers to Katie Couric’s questions on a woman’s right to choose will further undermine her credibility with voters, especially the moderate independent swing voters who will play a critical role in this election," Keenan said. "Palin clearly believes that she and other anti-choice politicians like John McCain should be able to make personal, private decisions for American women and their families. Palin claimed she supports contraception but then undercut her own statement by later refusing to stand up for women’s access to emergency contraception. Americans know that improving women’s access to birth control is one of the best ways to prevent unintended pregnancy and therefore reduce the need for abortion."
When asked by Couric whether her opposition to abortion rights would extend even to a 15-year-old who had been raped by her father, Palin cushioned her answer in personal beliefs, rather than explaining to voters how a McCain-Palin administration would address the issue.
And when questioned about the morning-after pill, Palin’s answer mirrored the language used by the far-right, saying "I am one to believe that life starts at the moment of conception." When Couric prodded further if that meant a McCain-Palin administration would outlaw emergency contraception, Palin could only answer, "But personally, I would not choose to participate in that kind of
contraception."
"Palin seems unable to answer direct questions on reproductive health policies that are important to the American people," Keenan continued. "But voters deserve to know the policies that the next president will implement. Will a McCain-Palin administration outlaw emergency contraception? That’s the question that needs a “straight-talk” answer."
To view excerpts from Palin’s interview with Katie Couric, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIk2pXTvp-Y.For more information on the McCain-Palin ticket’s opposition to a woman’s right to choose, visit www.MeetTheRealMcCain.com.
Contact: Kathryn Prael or Molly Jackson, 202-973-3032
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