“Candidates must be allowed to take morally sound, politically smart positions that align with the people,” Dannenfelser went on. “The voters deserve to hear directly from Kennedy on where he really stands given the conflicting statements from him versus his campaign.”
According to the Charlotte Lozier Institute, a pro-life scientific research group, unborn babies can feel pain by at least 15 weeks’ gestation and possibly as early as 12 weeks (three months).
Record on abortion
A Catholic, and reportedly a regular Mass attendee, Kennedy, 69, supports access to abortion but has called the taking of a preborn life a “tragedy.”
In June, during a “town hall” with a New Hampshire television news station, Kennedy said: “I’m not going to put myself in a position that I’m telling a woman to bring a child to term that she doesn’t want; I don’t think it’s a good solution.”
“I don’t think the government has any business telling people what they can and cannot do with their bodies,” Kennedy said. “I think every abortion is a tragedy and as I said I came from a family that was very, very divided on this issue, I’ve seen pictures of third-term abortions and I’m appalled by them and will do everything I can to end those in other ways, but I think the worst solution is if the government is involved in decisions that should belong to a woman.”
Catholic family history
Kennedy is the son of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of the first Catholic president in U.S. history, John F. Kennedy. Both Kennedys were involved in politics before abortion was the national political issue it is today.
Though still a long shot, his campaign has gained considerable traction, running on limited government, environmentalism, and support for free speech. A Harvard Harris poll from late July found 62% favoring Biden, with Kennedy coming in second with 16%.
Though Kennedy made several posts on social media Monday morning, he has not personally addressed the abortion question since his initial comments.
The Kennedy campaign did not respond to CNA’s request for comment by the time of publication.
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Peter Pinedo is a DC Correspondent for CNA. A graduate of Franciscan University, Peter previously worked for Texas Right to Life. He is a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve.