Values Voter Presidential Debate –
Mexico City Policy
September 17, 2007 Fort Lauderdale, Florida
[Excerpt]
FOLGER: The
Mexico City Policy states that as a condition for a foreign organization to
receive federal funds, they will neither, quote, "perform nor actively
promote abortion." Would you work to apply this Mexico City policy to
organizations within the United States as well as abroad?
HUCKABEE: I just want to clarify, and I'm not trying to be difficult, but I
want to make sure we're not being asked to apply a Mexican law to United
States law. Is it the principle you are after, or the law itself?
FOLGER: It's the principle of not giving our tax dollars to organizations
within our country that actively promote or provide abortions.
HUCKABEE: OK. I just want to make sure that we were not in essence agreeing
to abide by a Mexican law.
FOLGER: No. It's an American law.
HUCKABEE: OK. All right.
BROWNBACK: This is a policy that Ronald Reagan put in place, that we wouldn't
use federal funds to support abortion or organizations that promote abortions
overseas.
HUNTER: It's actually a U.N. policy.
KEYES: Well, actually, it was a policy of the Mexico City Population
Conference. I was the deputy chairman of the delegation. I actually
negotiated the language into the final resolution at that conference.
[audience: strong reaction, cheers]
FOLGER: Could I just . . .? Joseph? May I clarify?
FARAH: It's interesting that there's disagreement, and you all voted the same
way.
FOLGER: I want to know, will they defund Planned Parenthood. That's what I
want to know. [To Huckabee:] Is that a no?
HUCKABEE: Would I fund Planned Parenthood?
FOLGER: Will you defund Planned Parenthood?
HUCKABEE: Oh, defund it. Yes. I thought you said would I fund it, and that
would be a no.
