The Party's Over, by Charlie Crist: on Abortion

Charlie Crist: 1995: Opposed mandatory 24-hour waiting period for abortion

Looking back, that vote took some nerve for a first term Republican, but it didn't feel huge to me at the time. While I didn't like abortion personally, I was equally opposed to government inserting itself into such a personal medical decision. I thought this should be a woman's decision--period--with whatever input she sought from her doctor, her partner, or her clergy. I was only voting my judgment and my conscience. Isn't that what legislators were supposed to do?

Charlie Crist: Favors embryonic stem cell research

Meek said Crist's decision was more pragmatic. "We know why the governor is running as an independent--because he couldn't beat Marco Rubio," Meek said.

As an independent candidate, Crist vetoed an education package championed by Republican legislators, along with a bill requiring women to get ultrasound exams before abortions. [In my 2006 gubernatorial primary against a staunch social conservative, I was] encouraged to reach out to a younger generation of active Republicans. Like me, they tended to be a little more socially moderate. I spoke in favor of embryonic stem cell research, disagreeing with President Bush's decision to veto a stem cell bill.

Charlie Crist: I'm pro-life, but stay out of other people's lives

What's the point of that? It certainly isn't rooted in traditional conservative principles, one of which is "Stay out of other people's lives." If the thought is less government and more freedom, where's the freedom part? Seriously! Instead of trying to tell other people how to live their lives, just go and live yours!

Isn't that obvious? To me it is.

And what could be more important--or more personal--than a woman and her own body? Abortion has been legal since 1973 when the US Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade. I understand not everyone agrees with the court's decision. Still, it is the established law of the land.

Jeb Bush: Terri Schiavo case: ordered feeding tube reinserted

On Oct. 15, 2003, with the court's approval, Terri's feeding tube was finally removed.

Terri's parents were joined by a well-organized band of anti-abortion activists. As protesters marched in Tallahassee and talk radio hosts conjured up comparisons to Nazi death camps, Republican State Representative colleagues passed "Terri's Law," giving Jeb Bush authority to intervene in the case.

The legislature? The governor? Overruling the husband, the doctors, and the courts? I'd never seen blind zeal like this. Or was it blind politics?

Jeb immediately ordered the feeding tube reinserted.

It was the cruelest things I have e