The media almost always give pro-choice politicians a pass when it comes to questions about abortion. The questions that reporters ask rarely get to the heart of the issue—the humanity of the unborn. Moreover, reporters nearly always fail to ask tough follow-up questions of pro-choice politicians. This state of affairs has long been a frustration to pro-life people who are watching the media scrutiny only going towards one side. That is why I love Trevin Wax’s fantastic post over at his blog titled, “10 Questions a Pro-Choice Candidate Is Never Asked by the Media.” His list of questions includes this:
“You describe abortion as a “tragic choice.” If abortion is not morally objectionable, then why is it tragic? Does this mean there is something about abortion that is different than other standard surgical procedures?”
This is brilliant list, and I would add at least one more question to it. Here it is:
When President Barack Obama was State Senator in Illinois, he voted four times to deny livesaving care to babies that are born alive after botched abortions. Do you believe that doctors should be required by law to provide lifesaving care to babies born alive after botched abortions?
If the question is posed to President Obama himself, here’s how I would like to see it asked:
When you were State Senator in Illinois, you voted four times to deny livesaving care to babies that are born alive after botched abortions. What is your view now? Do you believe that doctors should be required by law to provide lifesaving care to babies born alive after botched abortions?
I encourage all reporters to ask themselves why questions like these never occur to them. Could it be because your own views on abortion have shaped the way you question candidates?
