Biden shows ability to reconcile theology, law in vice president contest with Ryan
The vice presidential debate last week was largely unimpressive until the final question of the night. The question on how the candidate’s religious views impacted their stances on abortion was a slam dunk for Vice President Joe Biden, while congressman Paul Ryan made an unconvincing case.
Answering first, Ryan emphasized his adherence to the Catholic creed, that life begins at conception, and used that conviction to justify his pro-life stance. Biden, a Catholic man himself, passionately agreed with Ryan on this point, saying that he too believes life begins at conception. Having illustrated his personal religious beliefs, Biden then showed his political presence of mind, drawing a fine line between himself and Ryan on the issue of abortion, and offered a logical justification for his pro-choice stance rather than the simple dogmatic arguments advanced by Ryan.
According to Biden, as the vice president of such a diverse nation, it is not his job to impose his own religious beliefs on the American populace. Women, having natural sovereignty over their bodies, have the right to choose in accordance with their own personal beliefs, he said. With the exception of rape, incest or when the mother’s health is as risk, the Romney-Ryan ticket would have that choice taken away from all women, effectively legislating their own religious convictions.
This, Biden said, is the fundamental difference between the two sides. We all think abortion is undesirable, and I think it is even immoral in some circumstances, but no one can deny pregnant women the right to choose what is best for them simply because of interpretations of ancient theological manuscripts. Both sides are pro-life, but one side values the choices of the mother as well. Ryan fails to understand that the abortion debate can’t simply be waged on religious grounds. We must, as Biden said, allow each individual to choose the role religion plays in his or her life decisions. Gov. Romney and Rep. Ryan don’t want Americans to have this choice. The voters can’t allow this to happen.
As we have seen in the past, many in the pro-life camp abandon their religious convictions when they themselves are affected by unwanted pregnancy. Just last week, recordings surfaced of Tennessee congressional Rep. Scott DesJarlais, an adamant pro-life, family values conservative, pressuring a former mistress to abort a child to save his marriage. We all think abortion is undesirable, but we can’t pass judgment, or legislation, banning it when so few understand the implications of carrying an unwanted child. Just ask Rep. DesJarlais.
Should president Obama be defeated on election day, Roe v. Wade is in serious peril. Three Supreme Court justices are septuagenarians and the Romney-Ryan ticket may choose who fills those vacancies. If you respect women and their rights, you should be shaking in your boots.