Anti-Abortion 'Extremists' Got Nothing on Prez

Randall Terry and other “Catholic extremists” will lead protests against President Obama’s speech at Notre Dame today—but their anti-abortion zealotry will only continue to hurt their cause, writes Frances Kissling in Salon. “The idea that anything goes in fighting abortion died” in the ‘90s when providers were shot, but that hasn’t stopped an “unapologetic” Terry from parading a blood-covered doll around the campus.

Some 74 American bishops are also standing against Obama’s speech and receipt of an honorary degree. But Notre Dame is likely following the lead of a former university president who “decried the bishops' unyielding opposition to abortion.” The “smooth and disciplined” Obama will probably keep quiet on the issue in his speech, but if he mentions it, he’ll do it in terms that helped him win over a portion of Catholics in the election.
(More President Obama stories.)