United in Catholicism, Divided on Abortion
Throughout the Vice Presidential debate that took place on October 11, the candidates' reactions to each other were extremely overpowering; so much so that, at times, it was difficult to understand the main argument among their disputes and interruptions.
The debate took a serious turn when moderator, Martha Raddatz, presented each candidate with a religious and controversial question. She began the question by stating "This debate is indeed historic, we have two Catholic candidates, first time on a stage such as this..." She continues, "and I would like to ask you both to tell me what role your religion has played in your own personal views on abortion..." This question posed by the moderator was slightly surprising as the "separation of church and state" is very much a part United States (or so we like to believe). This portion of the debate suggests that religions practiced by government officials do, in fact, play a part in running our country.
Raddatz focused on Paul Ryan's response first. Ryan took a very personal approach when he talked about the birth of his first daughter and how it is not possible to neglect the teachings of the Catholic faith and believe that human life does not begin at conception. To him, his daughter is living proof of these teachings. He also says that the policy that the Romney/ Ryan ticket would bring to the US would oppose abortion with "the exceptions of rape, incest, and the life of the mother." While the severity of these situations is recognized, in response to Biden's claim, Ryan says that if a person truly believes life begins at conception, essentially, that person would not desire to have an abortion.
On the other side of the argument Joe Biden, also a practicing Catholic, shares the same beliefs with Ryan. However, in response to Raddatz, he states that just because he believes something does not mean that he should impose those beliefs on others. This statement seemed to work in his favor because as Catholicism is not the only religion in the United States, this part of the debate was completely focused on the religion of the two candidates. For Biden to say this, he not only responded to the question at hand, but also addressed the ideas of other people watching the debate who may have thought that a debate between Catholics would not pertain to them.
Abortion is not a topic people enjoy discussing due to its great controversial status. People often do not agree and many times, try to avoid conversing about it all together. In the debate, each candidate addressed the question with caution as to not make a statement that would make them seem unappealing to the audience on such a tender subject. Both candidates did a fair job in addressing the controversial topic and acknowledging the impact of their responses. A clip of this portion of the debate can be found here.
The debate took a serious turn when moderator, Martha Raddatz, presented each candidate with a religious and controversial question. She began the question by stating "This debate is indeed historic, we have two Catholic candidates, first time on a stage such as this..." She continues, "and I would like to ask you both to tell me what role your religion has played in your own personal views on abortion..." This question posed by the moderator was slightly surprising as the "separation of church and state" is very much a part United States (or so we like to believe). This portion of the debate suggests that religions practiced by government officials do, in fact, play a part in running our country.
Raddatz focused on Paul Ryan's response first. Ryan took a very personal approach when he talked about the birth of his first daughter and how it is not possible to neglect the teachings of the Catholic faith and believe that human life does not begin at conception. To him, his daughter is living proof of these teachings. He also says that the policy that the Romney/ Ryan ticket would bring to the US would oppose abortion with "the exceptions of rape, incest, and the life of the mother." While the severity of these situations is recognized, in response to Biden's claim, Ryan says that if a person truly believes life begins at conception, essentially, that person would not desire to have an abortion.
On the other side of the argument Joe Biden, also a practicing Catholic, shares the same beliefs with Ryan. However, in response to Raddatz, he states that just because he believes something does not mean that he should impose those beliefs on others. This statement seemed to work in his favor because as Catholicism is not the only religion in the United States, this part of the debate was completely focused on the religion of the two candidates. For Biden to say this, he not only responded to the question at hand, but also addressed the ideas of other people watching the debate who may have thought that a debate between Catholics would not pertain to them.
Abortion is not a topic people enjoy discussing due to its great controversial status. People often do not agree and many times, try to avoid conversing about it all together. In the debate, each candidate addressed the question with caution as to not make a statement that would make them seem unappealing to the audience on such a tender subject. Both candidates did a fair job in addressing the controversial topic and acknowledging the impact of their responses. A clip of this portion of the debate can be found here.
posted by Unknown | 11:27 AM
8 Comments:
I'm glad someone posted on the VP debate, Bridget, because it certainly was an interesting event. Focusing on a specific moment also allowed you to go into good detail on the specifics of the Biden-Ryan exchange on abortion and Catholicism.
I really liked the topic that you mentioned, Bridget. Abortion is definitely a polemic topic and can even generate extrem behaviors, which, as a foreign, I find it really queer. I would like to exemplify it better with a personal experience.
These days I saw a plaque that said "Yes to religious freedom - Romney for president" or something like that. The explanation for this is the inclusion of abortion cares and contraceptives medicines at Obama healthcare program. Catholics didn't supported this kind of procedures and, if they are required to pay for that, indirectly they would pay for an abortion that another woman would do. I am not trying to get inside of abortion topic, but the connection that between religious freedom and the health package seems so much forced, unnatural and indirect to me.
This linkage that people did, makes clear that in this time of presidential race, the extremes argumentations starts to come out. This reminds me the negative advertisings that we studied and the function that they have of reducing opponent appeal and put him/her into a defense position. This is a clear example, but I think it wasn't sucessful.
I really liked Biden's answer--although Catholicism is popular in the United States, it really is not the only religion, and people of all different religions are voting in the election. He answered the question with grace and probably won the respect of a lot of non-Catholic voters.
United States is all about freedom or religion and speech. I think that the religion of the candidates should have no place in the debate. I believe that their takes on certain situations that are typically influenced by religion will speak for the candidates. There is no need to put it out on the table for the candidates.
The debate on abortion, contraception etc is always going to be a tough one. It is a very 'touchy' subject for some. I feel as though it is a matter of making a distinction between your personal opinion and you policy ideas. You have to give respect to someone who is ambitious enough to tackle this issue.
I believe that buzz-word topics such as abortion and gay marriage are topics that seriously make belonging to a certain political party so tough. For me, I would call myself a Republican when it comes to economic issues, but tend to lean left when it comes to social issues. The abortion debate is an extremely touchy subject, as Sarah mentioned, especially for women voters. I agree with Carine's comment on the unnatural link between religion and health care because I see it as a connection between church and state, something that, as Americans, we have been avoiding since day one as a nation.
I particularly enjoyed this article because you decided to talk about a topic that is very controversial. I thought the question that was posed at the debate about abortion was great because it allowed the candidates to give a clear stance on the issue. Personally i agree with Biden's position more however kudos for bringing up the topic.
Abortion is a topic that is so controversial. For years its been the topic of debates, but candidates have really danced around abortion because people's opinions typically tend to fall either for or against. When you bring in the topic of religion and you see how the the vice presidential candidates react its really interesting. Vice President Biden and US Representative Paul Ryan their concerns and ideas as far as abortion are polar opposite. Since women's rights has been such a huge part of this campaign it'll be interesting to see how the comments on abortion and health for women in general play during the last few days of the election.
Post a Comment
<< Home