NARAL Pro-Choice America - 2008 U.S. Presidential Election

2008 U.S. Presidential Election

Late in the Democratic presidential primaries, NARAL endorsed Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton. NARAL had long supported Clinton through her political career. NARAL's political committee board was divided between Clinton and Obama supporters, but eventually voted unanimously to support the Illinois senator. NARAL officials said they were not snubbing Clinton, but rather they were acknowledging that Obama was likely to be the nominee and that there was a growing divide between black voters and white female activists. NARAL president Nancy Keenan stated in a press release: "Today, we are proud to put our organization's grass-roots and political support behind the pro-choice candidate whom we believe will secure the Democratic nomination and advance to the general election. That candidate is Senator Obama."

NARAL's endorsement sparked heavy criticism from EMILY's List, whose president, Ellen R. Malcolm said “I think it is tremendously disrespectful to Sen. Clinton-—who held up the nomination of an FDA commissioner in order to force approval of Plan B and who spoke so eloquently during the Supreme Court nomination about the importance of protecting Roe vs. Wade—-to not give her the courtesy to finish the final three weeks of the primary process. It certainly must be disconcerting for elected leaders who stand up for reproductive rights and expect the choice community will stand with them.”

NARAL criticized John McCain for using air quotes when talking about a woman's "health" concerns regarding abortion.