2016 Final Presidential Debate: Abortion

Summary

In this debate excerpt, the candidates discuss the contentious issue of abortion. Mr. Trump, identifying as pro-life, suggests that appointing conservative justices could lead to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, thereby returning the decision to individual states. Secretary Clinton defends a woman's constitutional right to make healthcare decisions, including abortion, and criticizes attempts to defund Planned Parenthood. The discussion also touches on late-term abortions, with Clinton arguing for regulations that consider the mother's health and Trump expressing his opposition to such practices.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The discussion revolves around the potential impact of the next president's appointments on the Supreme Court, particularly regarding the issue of abortion rights.
• 🔍 Mr. Trump states he is pro-life and plans to appoint pro-life judges, suggesting that the decision on abortion could revert to individual states.
• 🚫 Secretary Clinton defends Roe v. Wade, emphasizing the constitutional right for women to make decisions about their healthcare, including abortion.
• 🏥 Secretary Clinton criticizes the defunding of Planned Parenthood, which provides not only abortion services but also cancer screenings and other health benefits for women.
• 🙅‍♂️ Mr. Trump has expressed support for defunding Planned Parenthood and has taken a stance against abortion, including late-term abortions.
• 🤔 Secretary Clinton argues that late-term abortions are often the result of heartbreaking and difficult circumstances, and should be left to the discretion of women and their families.
• 🛡️ Secretary Clinton pledges to defend both Planned Parenthood and the rights of women to make their own healthcare decisions, including abortion.
• 🚫 Mr. Trump expresses his opposition to late-term abortions, describing a graphic scenario that he finds unacceptable.
• 🌎 Secretary Clinton discusses her international perspective, having seen governments force abortions or childbirth on women, and asserts that the government should not interfere in these personal decisions.
• 🏳️‍🌈 There is a clear ideological divide between the two candidates on the issue of abortion, with Secretary Clinton advocating for women's rights and Mr. Trump advocating for pro-life policies.
• 🗳️ The election outcome could have significant implications for the future of abortion rights in the United States, given the potential for the Supreme Court to overturn or uphold Roe v. Wade.

Q & A

What is Mr. Trump's stance on abortion?

Mr. Trump is pro-life and supports appointing pro-life judges to the Supreme Court.

Does Mr. Trump want Roe v. Wade to be overturned?

Yes, Mr. Trump wants Roe v. Wade to be overturned and believes the issue should go back to the individual states.

What does Secretary Clinton's stance on abortion entail?

Secretary Clinton supports Roe v. Wade, defends women's rights to make their own healthcare decisions, and opposes stringent state regulations that block these rights.

What is Mr. Trump's response to the issue of late-term partial-birth abortions?

Mr. Trump finds late-term partial-birth abortions unacceptable and criticizes Secretary Clinton for supporting them, although Clinton argues that this is a misrepresentation of her stance.

How does Secretary Clinton justify her vote against a ban on late-term partial-birth abortions?

Secretary Clinton explains that Roe v. Wade allows regulations on abortion as long as the life and health of the mother are taken into account, and she did not believe the proposed ban did so.

What argument does Secretary Clinton make regarding government involvement in abortion decisions?

Secretary Clinton argues that the government should not be involved in personal decisions about abortion, which should be made by women and their families in consultation with their faith and medical advice.

What does Mr. Trump claim about abortion in the ninth month?

Mr. Trump claims that Secretary Clinton's stance allows for babies to be 'ripped out of the womb' in the ninth month, which Clinton refutes as scare rhetoric.

How does Secretary Clinton respond to Mr. Trump's claims about late-term abortions?

Secretary Clinton refutes Mr. Trump's claims as scare rhetoric and emphasizes the difficult personal nature of late-term abortion decisions.

What examples does Secretary Clinton provide to argue against government interference in abortion?

Secretary Clinton cites examples from countries like China, where women were forced to have abortions, and Romania, where women were forced to bear children, to argue against government interference.

What overarching theme does Secretary Clinton emphasize regarding abortion rights?

Secretary Clinton emphasizes that the government should not interfere in the most personal decisions women make regarding their health and pregnancies.