Democratic and Republican presidential candidates used the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision legalizing abortion nationwide and Friday's March for Life to air their thoughts on one of the nation's most controversial social issues.
Days after referring to Planned Parenthood as the “establishment” for its endorsement of Hillary Clinton in the fight for the Democratic presidential nomination, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders tweeted Friday, “I join with Planned Parenthood, NARAL and all Americans who have been fighting the never-ending attacks on women’s right to choose."
It was one of a series of tweets from Sanders on the day thousands gathered in Washington for the March for Life on the 43rd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision.
I join with Planned Parenthood, NARAL and all Americans who have been fighting the never-ending attacks on women’s right to choose. #Roe43
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 22, 2016I would expand initiatives that protect women’s health, access to contraception, and the availability of a safe and legal abortion. #Roe43
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 22, 2016Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, a leading Republican presidential candidate, voiced his support for pro-life demonstrators and his prayers for the country.
Today thousands of students/families/churches have traveled to DC to #MarchForLife & lift up our nation in prayer https://t.co/yFga9rg03A
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) January 22, 2016Meanwhile, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina was the only presidential candidate who spoke at the March for Life, which came just ahead of a major snowstorm in Washington.
Make no mistake—this election will be a fight for the character of our nation. https://t.co/P145xL6N6R #MarchForLife
— Carly Fiorina (@CarlyFiorina) January 22, 2016Florida Sen. Marco Rubio tweeted out a new ad, where he said, “The right to life is a human right.”
The right to life is a human right. #MarchForLife #whywemarch pic.twitter.com/lrI0stqwwD
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 22, 2016Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson pointed to his professional life to demonstrate, “I have spent my whole life as a pro-life advocate.”
#MarchForLife #prolife pic.twitter.com/wMwLpmCGfn
— Dr. Ben Carson (@RealBenCarson) January 22, 2016Meanwhile, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush applauded the marchers and said, “As president I’ll fight for human dignity.”
I applaud those who #MarchforLife today. As president I'll fight for human dignity & the unborn. New @FoxNews op-ed: https://t.co/flzntbl7wq
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) January 22, 2016Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley said he would be a defender of abortion rights, citing his record leading his state.
I always stood up for women's health & a woman's right to choose as Gov, I will never stop fighting for those rights as President. #Roe43
— Martin O'Malley (@MartinOMalley) January 22, 2016Not weighing in on Twitter were leading Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, endorsed by Planned Parenthood, and leading Republican presidential Donald Trump, who has had conflicting positions on abortion.
