McClellan. Ms. McClellan, we’ve discussed your economic goals. But I’m sure potential voters are also interested in your views on some of the key social issues of the day.”
“Whatever they want to know.”
“Fine. How would you describe your political philosophy?”
“Well, I basically favor less government interference and more individual freedom.”
“And what about—”
“In fact, I have a simple message for our leaders, wherever they might be.”
“And that is . . . ?”
“Hands off!”
“Hah-hah! That’s a phrase you’ve used many times before. In fact, it seems to be turning into your own personal slogan.”
“If it is, I don’t mind at all. It’s one of my core beliefs.”
“And what exactly does it mean?”
“It means that as Americans, we want to run our own lives, and set our own standards. We don’t need professional politicians from Washington telling us how to behave. We also don’t need media types from New York and California telling us what to think. We’re perfectly capable of deciding these matters for ourselves.”
“I understand. Now tell me: I’ve heard a lot of buzz about the possibility of your running for Congress. Is there any truth to these rumors?”
“Well, of course I’m flattered. After all, just to be considered is an honor—”
“Does that mean you’ll be running?”
“On the other hand, I have plenty to do right here.”
“I’m sure you do. But there’s no doubt that as a member of Congress, you’d have far more opportunity to influence policy both locally and nationally—”
“I guess I would—”
“Then suppose you were asked?”
“Oh, that‘d be a tough decision. After all, the position is very demanding, and there are so many qualified candidates—”
“But you must have ambitions along that line—”
“I really don’t. Besides, before I take any formal steps in that direction, I’d want to discuss the matter with my family. My husband, my children, and—”
“Who would certainly play a part—”
“A big part. That’s why I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.”
“You wouldn’t care to give us an inside scoop.”
“Not right now.”
“Maybe one day?”
“If my plans ever change, you’ll be the first to know.”
¶ ¶ ¶
“Welcome back to this one and only debate between Congressman Dennis Buehl and his opponent, Assemblywoman Cassie McClellan. Now, candidates, I’d like to move away from fiscal matters and on to other issues. Congressman Buehl, during your ten terms as representative for the third district, you’ve been a staunch supporter of women’s rights.”
“I like to think so.”
“You’ve been particularly outspoken on the matter of abortion. Since this subject arouses such passion, would you care to reaffirm your position?”
“I’d be happy to. From the start of my political career, I have been pro-choice, and I remain committed to that point of view. To state the matter as clearly as possible, I believe in a woman’s right to make her own medical decisions. I believe that the freedom to control her own body, according to her conscience and in consultation with her doctor and her family, but especially without interference by legislators or judges, ought to remain the right of every woman in this country.”
“Thank you. Ms. McClellan, would you care to respond?”
“Well, Mr. Buehl’s words sound reassuring, but does he really believe that killing is a matter of individual conscience? I don’t think so. In fact, I’m sure he agrees with me . . . with millions of us, both men and women . . . that we shouldn’t allow anyone to kill simply because they claim that their conscience grants them that right. So let me make my position as clear as possible: abortion is murder. Plain and simple.”
“As I said, I strongly disagree—”
“Excuse me, but I haven’t finished!”
“May I just say—”
“May I finish?”
“I only want to say—”
“May I FINISH?”
“Go ahead.”
“Thank you. Abortion is the taking of an innocent human life. That is my unshakeable conviction. And no liberal doubletalk about rights or freedom can disguise this fundamental truth. So let’s stop trying to satisfy the selfish whims of irresponsible women, and talk instead about raising our moral standards.”
¶ ¶ ¶
“As you heard, the debate just ended. Now let’s go to our team of experts for analysis. Alice Lasky, what did you think?”
“Jim, for a first-timer she did a lot better than many of the so-called pros expected. Maybe they figured that because she’s a woman she’d get nervous—”
“No one said that—”
“But the fact is, she stated her opinions clearly and firmly—”
“Until she became too aggressive—”
“And started whining—”
“Bruce Nolan—”
“And screaming—”
“Boy, there’s a loaded word—”
“Buehl kept interrupting her.”
“He was trying to make a point!”
“It was her turn!”
“And that’s why many women are going to sympathize with her—”
“Ben Hansen—”
“Some women. Maybe. But I doubt it—”
“You have to understand.”
“Alice—”
“There’s nothing women hate as much as—”
“Don’t you see? She’s clearly wants to turn back the clock on a personal right that women have fought for decades to preserve—”
“But he’s militantly pro-abortion—”
“The phrase is ‘pro-choice.’
“Lisa Dubrow—”
“No one is pro-abortion—”
“It’s traumatic under the best of—”
“Then why is he so enthusiastic about them?”
“Bruce, did you want to get in here—”
“He’s not—”
“Her beliefs are grounded in ethical and moral principles—”
”Alice . . . er . . . Ben—”
“They’re part of her religion—”
“She wants to deny women basic control over their own bodies—”
“There’s nothing women hate as much—”
“She treats women as if they were children—”
“She