Hughes on Abortion Rights
BLITZER: There is a clear difference when it comes to abortion rights between the president and his Democratic challenger, John Kerry. In your opinion, Karen, how big of an issue will this abortion rights issue be in this campaign?
HUGHES: Well, Wolf, it's always an issue. And I frankly think it's changing somewhat. I think after September 11th the American people are valuing life more and realizing that we need policies to value the dignity and worth of every life. . . And I think those are the kind of policies that the American people can support, particularly at a time when we're facing an enemy, and really the fundamental difference between us and the terror network we fight is that we value every life.
We weren't the only ones to admire Karen Hughes complicated rhetorical yoga in attaching abortion rights to the war on terror. Last night's Daily Show gave Jon Stewart a chance to react as well. AmericaBlog has preserved the audio for posterity here .
And, hey, for what it's worth, we totally see Hughes's point: If we let women have control over their reproductive systems, the terrorists have won. . . . No, wait. . .
CNN LATE EDITION WITH WOLF BLITZER Aired April 25, 2004 [CNN]