In The Arena: on Abortion


No litmus test on abortion or on any pet issue

In 1980, the Republican nominee for Senate in Colorado, Mary Estill Buchanan, lost in a very close election. I was surprised when a Republican friend told me that he had not voted for her. I asked why. He replied, "She was wrong on abortion." As a result, we got 6 more years of Gary Hart, who was wrong on everything. I can understand people feeling strongly about special issues such as abortion, gun control, and ERA. But they should always step back and consider the alternative. Sometimes it is necessary to make a painful decision to support a candidate who may be wrong on your pet issue but right on most others. I have always believed that sticking to principles is not only the best statesmanship but also the best politics. However, this is a far cry from the approach of some politicians who are unable to see the difference between principle and prejudice.
Source: In The Arena, by Richard Nixon, p.336 Nov 9, 1980

Constitutional amendment prohibiting abortion is non-starter

The House's decline is not irreversible. The most-talked-about proposed amendments to the Constitution--prohibiting abortion, establishing the line-item veto, setting one 6-year term for Presidents--all are non-starters. But there is one change that all those interested in better government should support. The terms of members of the House should be extended to 4 years, with 1/2 being elected in the Presidential years and the other 1/2 in the off-year. This would mean that for at least 2 years of his 4 year term, a congressman could be a congressman rather than a perpetual candidate spending 75% of his time raising campaign funds and campaigning for reelection.
Source: In The Arena, by Richard Nixon, p.232 Apr 1, 1991

  • The above quotations are from In The Arena
    A Memoir of Victory, Defeat, and Renewal    , by Richard Nixon.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Abortion.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Richard Nixon on Abortion.
2012 Presidential contenders on Abortion:
  Democrats:
Pres.Barack Obama(IL)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)

Republicans:
Gov.Mitt Romney(MA)
Rep.Paul Ryan(WI) 		Third Parties:
Green: Dr.Jill Stein(MA)
Libertarian: Gov.Gary Johnson(NM)
Justice: Mayor Rocky Anderson(UT)
Constitution: Rep.Virgil Goode(VA)
Peace+Freedom: Roseanne Barr(HI)
Reform Party: André Barnett(NY)
AmericansElect: Gov.Buddy Roemer(LA)
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Page last updated: Jan 10, 2013