President Obama's commencement address at Notre Dame was used by the school to underscore its increasingly liberal reputation and by the President to showcase his moderate rhetoric on abortion. The media stressed the rhetoric and did little to contrast it to the unbending Administration support of abortion at all stages of pregnancy.
However, there was a surprising and little noticed line that seemed to signal a change in policy that will matter a lot to pro-life medical personnel. Under President Bush the government allowed doctors and nurses morally opposed to abortion to opt out of abortion operations. Candidate Obama campaigned to change the conscience provision and two months ago the Administration announced its intention to remove it from the HHS guidelines.
However, at Notre Dame, the President stated,"Let's honor the conscience of those who disagree with abortion and draft a sensible conscience clause, and make sure that all of our health care policies are grounded in clear ethics and sound science, as well as respect for the equality of women."
The redoubtable Catholic League president, Bill Donohue, applauded the president:
"Thus far, no final decision has been made. But given what President Obama said yesterday, it seems clear that he is now prepared to rescind the decision that was made rescinding conscience rights. For this he should be commended. We look forward to reading the revised proposal."
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