Will Abortion and SCOTUS Become Presidential Campaign Issues?
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Vice President Biden and Congressman Ryan disagreed last week on questions central to controversy about women's rights. We hear how abortion and the right to appoint supreme Court Justices have become issues in the presidential campaign. Also, the young Pakistani girl shot by the Taliban, is sent to Britain for treatment, and former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson is now the Libertarian candidate for President in 48 states. Could he be the Ralph Nader of 2012?
Banner image: A police officer watches pro-life and pro-choice supporters demonstrating to mark the anniversary of the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion decision in Washington, January 24, 2011. Photo by Jim Young/Reuters
Making News
Malala, Girl Shot by Taliban, Sent to Britain for Treatment ()
Malala Yousafzai has arrived in Britian for emergency specialist care. She's the 14-year old Pakistani advocate of women's education shot in the head last week by a Taliban gunman. Jon Boone, Pakistan correspondent for Britain's Guardian newspaper, joins us from Islamabad.
Guests:
- Jon Boone: Guardian, @jon_boone
Main Topic
Women's Rights, the Supreme Court and the Race for the White House ()
The US Supreme Court legalized abortion in Roe v. Wade, and the Obama Administration calls it "settled law." In last week's vice-presidential debate, moderator Martha Raddatz asked about abortion. Vice President Joe Biden said his Catholic religion required him to oppose it in his own life, but refused to impose that on others, calling it a decision between a woman and her doctor. Raddatz asked Congressman Paul Ryan, who's also Catholic, if supporters should fear a Romney administration. He, and the website of the Romney campaign, said "elected representatives," not "unelected judges," should make that call. Would Romney sign legislation to overturn Roe v. Wade? Would he appoint new justices to replace aging supporters of a woman's right to choose? Has he been clear about his own views on reproductive rights or the standards he would apply to his power of appointment?
NOTE: You can find all our election coverage at KCRW.com/election 2012.
Guests:
- Irin Carmon: Salon.com, @irincarmon
- Ann Stone: Republicans for Choice, @aews
- Janice Shaw Crouse: Concerned Women for America, @CWforA
- John Gramlich: Congressional Quarterly, @johngramlich
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Reporter's Notebook
Is Gary Johnson a Ralph Nader for the Right? ()
Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson has just $50,000 in the bank and little name recognition. So what are the Republicans worried about? The two-term former Governor of New Mexico is now the Libertarian candidate for President, and is on the ballot in 48 of the 50 states. Jim Rutenberg is national political correspondent for the New York Times.
Guests:
- Jim Rutenberg: New York Times, @jimrutenberg
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