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Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a tabbed divider. Given our
digitization capabilities, we are sometimes unable to adequately
scan such dividers. The title from the original document is
indicated below.
Unfavorable/ Middle of
The Road Editorials
Divider Title:
THE GREEN SHEET 61
Wash. Times; 5-24-95
Dr. Foster's nomination
I
indications are that Dr. Henry W. Foster Jr. will
Indeed. touted as he has been (chiefly by Mr.
garner enough votes in the Senate Labor and
Clinton) as a proponent of abstinence, recent rev.
Human Resources Committee to have his nomi-
elations about Dr. Foster's vaunted anti-teen-preg-
nation as surgeon general sent forward. Then it will
nancy program, "I Have a Future." make it clear
be up to the full body to decide whether Dr. Foster
that that simply is not true. What Dr. Foster's pro-
warrants confirmation. Majority Leader Bob Dole,
gram does and has done all along. in fact, is teach
who had threatened to take a leaf from his Democ-
kids about contraceptives (which necessarily
ratic colleagues under Republican administrations
implies teaching them anything they don't already
and prevent the nomination from coming to a vote,
know about sex) and supply them with contra-
has now decided to reserve judgment until meeting
ceptives.
with the nominee. Sen. Phil Gramm is still adamant
And the most recent study of the results of Have
that he will do everything within his power to pre-
a Future" (which the nominee conveniently forgot
vent Dr. Foster from becoming surgeon general. Both
about until after his hearing was concluded) showed
appeared on weekend talk shows discussing Dr. Fos-
plainly that the program has been as dismal a fail-
ter, as did administration spokesmen defending him.
ure as every other such program. The drop-out rate
How is it, one can't help asking oneself, that every-
from the program is very high; though there is evi-
one has gotten so roiled about one of the least signifi-
dence of lower pregnancy rates among regular par-
cant government positions of all? Why the outrage from
ticipants, other factors (such as the fact that the reg.
the Christian Coalition; why the outspoken determi-
ulars are the youngest kids) are probably
nation by President Clinton to go to the mat for this, of
responsible; most revealing, the study found that par-
all nominations; why the threats of interference from
ticipants were more likely to be sexually active than
Mr. Gramm and Mr. Dole; why, in short, all the fuss?
young people in a control group with no connection
The fuss is because Dr. Foster's nomination
to Dr. Foster's program.
encompasses the debate over social issues that has
Piling the kudos, including "Thousand Points of
been raging in this country for more than 30 years;
Light" honors, on that kind of house of cards is a dan-
it is because apart even from the question of how
gerous game. And the people in danger are, as ever,
many dozens of abortions he performed, how many
the teen-agers really do need and are in fact seeking
retarded women he sterilized without consent, how
guidance from their elders and the strength to live
many syphilitic men went untreated before he spoke
morally - and instead receive the modern equiva-
out about it - Dr. Foster, like the administration he
lent of a trip to the town brothel. Oh, yes, they also
would serve, personally stands foursquare behind all
get a lecture about abstinence. (All points of view are
the liberal verities, and the failed policies emanat-
welcome, of course.) But then they're told to pick
ing from them, toward sexual activity among unmar-
between the brothel and abstinence. The results are
ried young people today.
getting predictable.
Wash. Times; 5-24-95
The larger case against Dr. Foster
By Thomas L. Jipping
babies and ruined teen-age lives.
ter's "first priority" is teaching sex-
Dr. Foster said in February that
ual abstinence, his "I Have a
T
he Senate Committee on
"in my work with teen-agers, absti-
Future" program is an abject fail-
Labor and Human Resources
nence has always been stressed as
ure. The fact is, though, the pro-
votes tomorrow morning on
my first priority." Talk is so cheap,
gram is not based on abstinence, it
the nomination of Dr. Henry W.
it's free. The public and the Senate
is based on contraception. Yet even
Foster Jr. to be surgeon general of
must look at the evidence, and by
on those terms, the program is a
the United States. However the
that standard Dr. Foster's statement
failure.
votes in committee and in the full
is simply not true.
During the hearing on his nomi-
Senate come out, no one should mis-
His work with teen-agers is best
nation, Dr. Foster denied that other
take what those votes really mean.
represented by the "I Have a
evaluations of IHAF exist. That is
The Foster nomination presents
Future" (IHAF) program. An eight-
not true. (There's that blasted cred-
a choice between two radically dif-
page brochure about the program
ibility problem again.) He claimed
ferent sets of values. Unfortunate-
issued when he was its director fails
in a letter dated May 11 to Sen.
ly, the Republican leadership is too
to discuss or even mention absti-
John Ashcroft, Missouri Republi-
squeamish about such things to
can, that a final evaluation "is some-
directly engage this debate. They
what more positive." The only thing
would rather spin this controversy
Honesty is not the only
more positive about the evaluation
in terms of credibility (they don't
dated Nov. 28, 1994, is that it tends
even call it honesty) rather than
issue.
to show no effect, rather than a neg-
those sticky social issues.
ative effect, of the IHAF program.
Honesty is an important issue.
The final evaluation states that
Dr. Foster and the White House
nence. It lists 16 activities, seven
"there appears to be no effect on
have not told the truth about his
principles and five objectives but
pregnancy risk behavior." It states
record of performing abortions and
includes not a word about absti-
that there was no substantial dif-
involuntary sterilizations. They
nence. It lists increased access to
ference between participants and
have not told the truth about his
and utilization of contraceptives as
non-participants "on frequency of
acquiescence in the notorious study
a "project objective" (Page 2) and
birth control use or frequency of
that denied necessary medical care
highlights weekly distribution of
intercourse." Apparently, the great-
to black men with syphilis. They
contraceptives as a "basic service
est effect of the IHAF program is
have not told the truth about his
component" (Page 4), but includes
"sexual knowledge." The evalua-
close association with the most rad-
not a whisper about abstinence.
tion concluded that "it is unknown
ical abortion advocates. That should
The evidence about this pro-
at this time whether the IHAF pro-
be enough for a majority of Sena-
gram's affects on teen-agers also
gram has an effect on pregnancy.
tors to vote against him.
proves the point. If abstinence is the
Positive effects of the program on
But honesty is not the only issue.
first priority, there ought to be some
actual behavior and pregnancy
More serious is what Republicans
effect from the program on sexual
involvement are not as evident."
appear too timid to address, name-
activity. Dr. Lorraine Greene, IHAF
The truth is that Dr. Foster's
ly, what the truth actually is once it
deputy director, provided a 14-page
approach to teen pregnancy is a
finally comes out. The truth is that
evaluation to the Carnegie Corp.
failure. It does not discourage sex-
Dr. Foster represents the same set
from which she sought program
ual activity, but may actually
of values as his predecessor, Dr.
funding Dated Feb. 3. 1992, the
increase it. It does not reduce preg-
Joycelyn Elders. He is an abortion
evaluation examined IHAF's effects
nancy risk. It does not appear to
advocate who advances a contra-
for teens with different levels of
reduce pregnancy at all. Oh well,
ception-based approach, rather
involvement since the program
there's always abortion
than an abstinence-based
began. Involvement in the program
The committee vote, and what-
approach, to teen pregnancy. His
and involvement in sexual activity
ever vote may take place in the full
approach encourages sexual activ-
ran parallel. Those most actively
Senate, is about honesty. It is also
ity, fails to avoid pregnancy, and
involved in the "I Have a Future"
about values that work and those
ultimately results in more dead
program were most likely to be sex-
that don't. Dr. Foster, like Dr.
ually active. In addition, nearly
Elders, represents the abortion-
twice as many active participants as
contraception approach that aban-
Thomas L Jipping, a lawyer, is
non-participants had their first sex-
dons children to raw sexuality, love-
director of the Free Congress Foun-
ual experience after the program
less relationships, dead babies and
dation's Center for Law & Democ.
began.
a future of despair. It's time to stand
racy.
If, as he publicly states, Dr. Fos-
up and be counted, senators
Wash. Times; 5-15-95
"wanted the message that I was
Playmate
putting out" because "I never had a
problem with him when he was gov-
ernor." That's no doubt true. After
Joycelyn
the president the middle-aged white
male she most respects is Teddy
Kennedy. She particularly likes his
"values." "He's the Washington per-
Elders
son I would most want to be like."
What's striking about this inter-
view is that the physician the pres-
ident put in charge of speaking out
J
oycelyn Elders is not quite the
on health problems - specifically
centerfold, but she's finally
to teach children - chooses to
found a format that suits her
defend her crusade against unwant-
rhetoric.
ed teen-age pregnancies in Playboy
In an interview in Playboy mag-
magazine. She rails, in an aside,
azine, she's nestled between ads for
about the way men want to make
a provocative video of Julie Cialini,
"sex objects" - playmates, you
the 1995 Playmate of the Year (who
might say - of women.
wears only her shoes and socks,
Joycelyn Elders and her bully
gloves and hat), and come-ons for
pulpit are now merely footnotes for
other videos of "loving couples"
the history books, spicing dull dis-
who "explicitly demonstrate the
cussions of failed presidential
exercises and
appointments. But the time may be
techniques that
right for the rest of us to ask
have taken their
whether we need a surgeon gener-
sexuality to new
al at all. Maybe a surgeon sergeant
heights."
would serve as well.
She repeats
At most, the job provides a pul-
her colorful com-
pit for restating obvious health mes-
ments about mas-
sages that most of us, especially
turbation, which
teen-agers, already know. At worst,
the New York
a surgeon general is easily side-
Times defended
tracked into controversies such as
"as pedagogy,"
how many abortions a very model
Suzanne
and criticized as
of a modern surgeon general can
Fields
politics, "a reck-
perform before he is disqualified for
less act of indif-
confirmation.
ference to Mr.
I've suggested that the next sur-
Clinton's fortunes." She continues
geon general ought to be a podiatrist.
her attacks on "the very religious
It's hard to create a controversy over
non-Christian right," blaming them
corns or a bellyache over bunions,
for a host of historical disasters.
though this administration would
"Where was the church during
probably choose the one who wants to
the Holocaust?" she asks. "Where
outlaw high heels to protect a woman's
was the church when the Indians
back, and would therefore alienate all
were sent off to reservation? Where
the white (and black) men who appre-
was the church when black men
ciate a taut feminine calf.
were held in slavery for 200 years?
In big-deficit America, why can't
You know those God-fearing Chris-
we just RIF this position, saving a
tians we're talking about were often
salary which pays as much as
the leaders of those kinds of efforts
$140,000? Do we really need a chief
and initiatives."
health adviser who looks like a char-
So much for pedagogy.
acter out of "H.M.S. Pinafore"?
When she runs out of specific
Someone else could tell us that
attacks on Christians, she blames
smoking is bad and sex can be lethal.
Rush Limbaugh and the dittoheads
The surgeon general, with the rank
for undercutting her advice. "I may
equivalent to a vice admiral in the
not like what he says," she says
Navy, originally provided health
crossly, "but he sells."
care to sailors, but the Navy has
She invokes martyrdom through
managed to do quite well without a
identification with Lani Guinier and
surgeon general since the turn of the
Anita Hill though she got to wear
century. (Besides, the "new" Navy
that nifty admiral's uniform and they
needs obstetricians, not surgeons.)
didn't. "The white male structure
Dr. Henry Foster, if he is con-
will fight and oppose any female it
firmed, is a divisive force already
sees rising in power," she says.
on the issue of abortion with his
"We're easier targets to knock off.
badly muddled moral message.
We don't have a strong power base."
"Face it," Joycelyn Elders tells
Nevertheless, she insists that our
Playboy, "if I had been saying
Southern white male president
everything they wanted to hear,
nobody would know who the sur-
geon general was."
Suzanne Fields, a columnist for
Right on. But if we can't zero out
The Washington Times, is nationally
the position, maybe we should elim-
syndicated. Her column appears
inate that doorman's uniform, and
here Monday and Thursday.
nobody would take the job.
THE GREEN SHEET 57
Wash. Times; 5-12-95
reat wars are sometimes
leader, Robert Dole, has insisted
G
settled by minor battles,
How to keep score
that he may not even bring the nom-
and the political wars are
ination to the floor, citing Dr. Fos-
no exception. The nomina-
ter's estrangement from the truth.
tion of Dr. Henry Foster to be sur-
Mr. Dole has also pointedly men-
geon general is not a matter of
in the Foster contest
tioned that no less than 165 Reagan-
much importance - it is largely a
Bush nominations were scuttled by
figurehead affair, complete with
the Democrats without a vote. It's
crypto-naval uniform and press
payback time. This is seen by the
releases - but the struggle to con-
chattering classes as beneath the
firm him is nothing trivial.
only has he persistently lied about
senator's dignity: The fact that the
It is true that, if Dr. Foster should
It is true that, if Dr.
the number of abortions he per-
Democrats were boorish in the past
be rebuffed by the Senate, it will
formed, but some of his rancid pub-
does not justify revenge.
give the Republicans a brief
Foster should be
lic comments - blaming his trou-
Oh, but it does, and for several
moment of satisfaction, and the
bles, for example, on "white
reasons.
Clinton White House another
rebuffed by the Senate,
extremists" - might well conform
First, a selfless act by Senate
headache. It is equally true, how-
to Mr. Clinton's idea of hate speech.
Republicans will not inspire self-
ever, that if Dr. Foster should be
it will give the
In addition, Dr. Foster seems to
lessness in the Democrats. When
confirmed. it will not just furnish
Republicans a brief
have happily subscribed to the
the party of President Clinton
Bill Clinton with a much-needed
famous Tuskegee experiment, in
regains control of Congress, those
boost. but will signal a telling weak-
moment of
which the Public Health Service
old Democratic habits will recur.
ness in Republican ranks. The
observed the course of syphilis in a
This is not a minuet played by
momentum of the November elec-
satisfaction, and the
group of (uninformed and untreat-
ladies and gentlemen; it is a strug-
tions. no matter how intense this
Clinton White House
ed) black men for several decades.
gle for political power. The Repub-
past winter, will have surely been
Imagine a Republican nominee
licans ought to know by now that
halted by Henry Foster
another headache.
with such a background!
graceful gestures inspire contempt
In one sense, it should be easy for
Still, with all this, the Foster nom-
among their adversaries, not grat-
Republicans to oppose this nomi-
ination shows signs of life. For it
itude.
nation There IS. to begin with, the
should be said, at this juncture, that
And if the reputation of Henry
symbolic question of President
a tender national sore? If half the
the Democrats, and their allies in
Foster is somehow muddied in the
Clinton's choice of a gynecologist to
American people deplore abortion,
the press, have successfully cowed
conflict, so be it. He was not con-
serve as surgeon general. After all.
why pick a nominee who personi-
the GOP. The race card, from which
scripted against his will; he enlist-
if the health and well-being of
fies the issue? The answer. again,
Clarence Thomas was exempt, has
ed for the fight. Congress has never
Americans IS the issue. why not
may be too obvious: President Clin-
been artfully played. And tears glis-
hesitated to destroy good names in
select an internist, a medical
ton IS practicing what Spiro Agnew
tened in the president's eyes as he
the past, to underplay or exagger-
administrator. or better yet. some.
used to call "positive polarization."
listened to a teenage girl describe
ate, to frustrate plans and aspira-
one who specializes in one of the
Mr. Clinton does not wish to avoid
Dr. Foster's much-advertised birth
tions for the slightest advantage. If
two diseases that kill the most
divisiveness; he welcomes it. And
control program in Nashville. Of
war is the continuation of politics by
Americans A cardiologist (heart
by standing behind a practitioner of
course, the fact that the program
other means, as Karl von Clause-
disease or oncologist (cancer)
abortion. who also happens to be
has largely failed to prevent preg-
witz said, then the reverse is true as
The answer. of course. IS too obvi-
black, he IS shoring up two pillars
nancies - indeed, may be seen to
well: Politics is war, and the
ous The selection of an experi-
of his weakened political base
have encouraged premarital sex -
weaponry is words.
enced abortionist was deliberate, a
As it happens, abortion divides
goes politely unmentioned. It's the
calculated thumb in the eye of the
the Republican Party nearly as
thought that counts.
"terrorists" - such violent lan-
much as the country Here. howev.
Then there is the fairness argu-
Philip Terzian writes a column
guage' - who oppose a woman's
er, Dr Foster has offered wavering
ment Dr. Foster, at least, deserves
from Washington for the Providence
right to choose Yet why aggravate
Republicans a series of gifts Not
a vote in the Senate. The majority
[R.I.] Journal
CAL THOMAS
Wash. Times; 5-7-95
here are two critical issues
Foster that the suppository could be
Meharry Medical College and
T
surrounding the nomination
Tell-tale
used at home. Mr. Heywood said
Hubbard Hospital are located in a
of Dr. Henry Foster to be
Dr. Foster himself raised such a
largely black area of Nashville, it is
surgeon general. One is
possibility in the publication OB-
safe to assume that the patients
whether his approach to sexuality
GYN News.
were black, though neither Mehar-
has produced its announced goals.
results of
A story in the Feb. 5, 1981,
ry nor Upjohn would confirm that
The second is whether he should be
Nashville Banner indicated Dr. Fos-
at the time. Does this give credence
believed when he said he wants to
ter expected the drug could be used
to the old claim by some black lead-
make abortion "safe, legal and
at home. It reported: "Foster said
ers that blacks had been targeted
rare," a phrase often used by Pres-
Foster's
the suppository could free women
for "genocide" by whites whose
ident Clinton, who in fact has done
from the expense, surgical risks
goal was to reduce the welfare pop-
nothing to make it rare and much to
and hospitalization required by
ulation by promoting permissive
further the procedure.
conventional forms of abortion."
abortion among them? But that was
The Washington Times located a
The doctor was quoted by the paper
before the morality of abortion was
manual for Dr. Foster's ballyhooed
program
as saying: "If approved for market-
obscured by the politics of abor-
"I Have a Future" program. It was
ing, women will be able to buy sup-
tion.
designed to help train a staff teach
positories with a prescription and
Is Dr. Foster as squeamish about
children ages 10 to 17. The manual
learn to insert them at home."
abortion as he says? It seems for
gives equal emphasis to contracep-
And who were the subjects for
years he has run with pro-abortion
tion and abstinence, declares that
every child should be "wanted,"
the abortion suppository? Since
hard-liners. He was a member of
children should develop their own
ignoring the fact that many chil-
Planned Parenthood's national
sexual values and shows how to
dren "unwanted" at a time a woman
board 1978-81 and its national advi-
shop for and wear condoms.
finds she is pregnant become very
sory council 1981-85. Since 1989, he
Furthermore, the only study con-
much wanted if allowed to live.
has served on the National Leader-
ducted by Meharry Medical Col-
Has Dr. Foster been a champion
Is Dr. Foster as
ship Committee to Keep Abortion
lege, in Nashville, Tenn., which was
of limiting abortions? Not if one
running Dr. Foster's program,
squeamish about
Safe and Legal (but not "rare"), a
goes back 14 years to a program
Planned Parenthood affiliate orga-
shows that not only did it fail to
funded by Upjohn, the pharma-
ceutical company located in Kala-
abortion as he says? It
nization
reduce the number of pregnancies
During the hearings, Sen. Bar-
among teen-age participants, but
mazoo, Mich. In 1981, Upjohn
seems for years he has
bara Mikulski, Maryland Democ-
those in the program were more
wanted to test an abortion suppos-
rat, argued there should be "no lit-
likely to engage in sex than those in
itory that some believed would
run with pro-abortion
mus test on individual issues." Tell
a control group. Somehow the mes-
allow women to do their own abor-
sage about the benefits of delaying
tions at home.
hard-liners. He was a
that to Judge Robert Bork. If a
Democrat-controlled Senate would-
sexual gratification until marriage
Dr. Foster was put in charge of
member of Planned
n't confirm Judge Bork for the
was missing.
the testing program at Meharry
Supreme Court, a Republican Sen-
But it's in the abortion wars that
Medical College-Hubbard Hospi-
Parenthood's national
ate ought not to confirm Henry Fos-
Dr. Foster's credibility is stretched
tal. At the time, Upjohn spokesman
ter as surgeon general
to the breaking point. At first, Dr.
Joe Heywood said the suppository
board 1978-81 and its
Foster employed the selfish line of
was being developed for use only in
his ousted predecessor, Dr. Joyce-
hospitals. Mr. Heywood disavowed
national advisory
Cal Thomas is a nationally syn-
lyn Elders. Like Dr. Elders, he said
a suggestion he said came from Dr.
council 1981-85.
dicated columnist
WALTER MEARS
Wash. Times; 5-6-95
Dr. Foster and the confirmation process
Telcome to the club, one
W
the number of abortions he per-
At that point, he wasn't getting
Dr. Foster heightened it himself
senator said, telling Dr.
formed. He now puts it at 39. Dr.
much help from the White House
with his slip of the tongue com-
Henry Foster that it
Foster, an obstetrician-gynecologist
aides who do know the system, in
plaint about white right-wing
must be mystifying to
from Nashville, said he'd relied on
part because of the assumption
extremists, and his comment that
hear his career replayed in bits and
memory at first without checking
there that a black physician with a
there was something fishy about
pieces that would make his own
the records, and that was a mistake.
pioneering 38-year career, honored
the way black nominees have been
resume hard to recognize.
"But it was an honest mistake," Dr.
by a Republican president and
treated.
Another said Dr. Foster was enti-
Foster said. "I am a doctor. I had
praised by his friend and fellow
"Race has no part in this," he told
tled to "the presumption of inno-
never experienced anything like the
physician, GOP Sen. Bill Frist,
the committee.
cence," as if he were up for trial,
media scrutiny that I attracted fol-
would be a no-problem nominee.
Politics does, on a nomination
rather than for confirmation to
lowing my nomination. In my desire
That led to unasked questions,
become surgeon general.
now tangled in rival campaigns for
to provide instant answers
I
spoke
unchecked records and to the con-
the GOP presidential nomination.
Observations like those, from
without having all of the facts."
troversy that persists.
Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas threat-
skeptics as well as supporters,
ened a filibuster to block Dr. Foster.
came again and again during two
Sen. Bob Dole, front-runner for the
days of hearings on the Foster nom-
nomination, said he may use his
ination. Whatever the outcome for
him, the confirmation process is at
power as majority leader to prevent
issue too.
a vote in any event, insisting that the
issue is truthfulness, not abortion.
It can, and often has, become an
Sen. Nancy Kassebaum of
ordeal for the men and women a
Kansas, the committee chairman,
president nominates to serve in
backs Mr. Dole for president but not
administration posts or for federal
his argument on Dr. Foster. "He
judgeships. It also can become a
has been made into a pawn in our
barrier, prompting prospective
abortion debates," she said.
nominees to say no.
Sen. Christopher Dodd, Con-
The answer to that always has
necticut Democrat, who made the
been that here are plenty of other
"presumption of innocence" com-
qualified candidates ready to take
ment, said he fears that what Dr.
the jobs involved. That may not
Foster encountered "would dis-
always hold true, given the tortur-
ous track awaiting a nominee who
courage other good people in any
stirs controversy.
administration when asked to step
Dr. Foster has been on his track
forward and serve their country."
for three months, with weeks more
Sen. James Jeffords, Vermont
Republican, told Dr. Foster he can
to go. There is the prospect that
eventually it will hit a dead end,
be proud of his work and mystified
at the way it has been dissected. "It
clouded, as he said himself, by
abortion and "the issue of my cred-
may be small consolation, but wel-
ibility, which has never ever been
come to the club," Mr. Jeffords said.
questioned before."
"We all go through it in political
It is being challenged now, by
campaigns." He said he's sorry the
Republican opponents, in a cam-
same pattern often marks confir-
paign that will intensify should the
mation proceedings.
nomination be sent from the Senate
MIKE
"We are not here to rummage
Labor and Human Resources Com-
THOMPSON&
through the attics of his life in
mittee to the full Senate. Democrats
search of every possible mistake or
contend that the credibility ques-
imperfection," said Mr. Frist.
tions are cover for opposition real-
It happens.
ly based on the abortion issue.
On that, Dr, Foster and the White
House worsened their own prob-
Walter R. Mears is vice president
lems with initial misstatements on
and columnist for The Associated
Press.
Phta. lug.; 5-4-95
YOUR HEARINGS AREN'T ABOUT
THEY'RE ABOUT TELLING THE TRUTH, DR. FOSTER.
AUTH
The Philadelphia Inquirer TONY AUTH
Wash. Times; 5-5-95
Dr. Foster's hearing
D'
r. Henry Foster acquitted himself well at his
ing up on his abortions had old Washington hands
confirmation hearings this week. In light of
scratching their heads in perplexity. Surely even the
his performance, and in view of the fact that
ham-handed, morally tone deaf, and politically clum-
he's already won over one of the Republicans on the
sy Clintonites couldn't be that dumb. And, to advance
Labor and Human Resources Committee, it
a novel idea, perhaps they weren't quite as dumb as
behooves us all to remember precisely what the seri-
they seemed. For what their incompetence has accom-
ous objections to the good doctor have been.
plished is to reduce the objections to an abortionist
There is for one thing, the question of the Tuskegee
Surgeon General to a matter of quibbling over num-
syphilis study. Dr. Foster headed the obstetrics
bers. Indeed, whether Mr. Clinton's people had it in
department at the Tuskegee Institute's hospital for a
mind or not, the numbers question (complete with
time, and he was vice president of the Macon Coun-
digressions about availability of medical records,
ty, Ala., medical society at a time when the society
faulty memories, whether public or private money
got a briefing on the study. But he insists he never
paid for the procedures, whether they were done in
knew of the study until it became common knowl-
private practice rather than in the hospital) has served
edge. Documents that Sen. Dan Coats entered into
as a distraction from the real question.
the hearing record seem to indicate he did. Dr. Fos-
And that is, why, at a time when the issue of abor-
ter waxed outraged over the charge during the hear-
tion has become more contentious than perhaps at
ing, and even threw in an allusion to his race: that
any time since Roe vs. Wade; at a time when millions
black people should be implicated in this evil study
of Americans have made it very plain that they find
conducted by the government which denied treat-
the practice of abortion morally, ethically and reli-
ment to syphilitic black men he declared especially
giously repugnant; why at such a moment should our
offensive. Still, those documents do exist. But the fact
president choose a gynecologist who would likely
is nothing can be proved conclusively either way.
have performed abortions as chief medical officer of
Then there's the issue of the sterilization of retard-
the nation?
ed women. Dr. Foster did four, he doesn't deny it. He
If no respected pediatrician's, or immunologist's,
just denies it was illegal or unethical at the time he
or gerontologist's or even dermatologist's name was
was doing it.
forwarded to the Senate by Mr. Clinton, it was
Which is about the same thing he has to say about
unquestionably because he wanted to hand the bully
the many abortions he performed. For a long time
pulpit over to someone who shared his beliefs - not
after President Clinton nominated Dr. Foster, there
only about abortion but about all the ills affecting our
was a good deal of confusion over just how many
society. Mr. Clinton's previous attempt to install a
exactly that was. He first said it was one; that was
soulmate in the surgeon general's uniform foundered
quickly amended to several; then it turned out to be
on Dr. Joycelyn Elders' flamboyant extremism. Dr.
39 - not including the 59 abortions he directed as
Foster is no extremist. And he's more of a follower
part of a study of chemical abortion. And not a sin-
on these issues than a leader. The point is that the
gle one performed before 1973, when abortion
path he - like Mr. Clinton chosen to follow, the
became legal.
path of sex education, self-esteem, birth control and
The apparent stupidity and incompetence of the
abortion (the path of least resistance, in fact) has led
White House in nominating an Ob-Gyn without check-
straight to the mess we find ourselves in today.
THE GREEN SHEET 51
WILLIAM
brightly wrapped gift - the sur-
MURCHISON
geon generalship — in his lap, only
to put his ear to the box and hear a
Wash. Times; 5-4-95
loud ticking sound. It would be any-
thing but proper to make this man
Abortion
our country's chief medical
spokesman.
Bad enough is a surgeon general,
and the
like Dr. Elders, who lends intellec-
tual support to abortion. Far worse
would be a surgeon general who,
with his own hands, had performed
Foster
abortions. If the tone-deaf Clinton
White House wonders why there is
so much dissonance over Dr. Foster,
hearings
here is the reason. Pro-life people
regard his hands as unclean.
Dr. Foster, to be sure, has his
backers. Pro-choice Americans
would be more embarrassed to
C
ozy, establishment Repub-
have a phrenologist as surgeon gen-
licans, outside and inside
eral than an abortionist. These see
the U.S. Senate, may
Roe vs. Wade as determinative.
squirm uncontrollably
Relax, everybody; this abortion
whenever the word "abortion"
thing is legal!
enters the debate over whether to
In fact, a lot of bad things are
confirm Dr. Henry Foster as sur-
legal, such as hatred, envy, malice,
geon general. Too bad. Abortion is
lying, back-stabbing and drinking
the core issue in the Foster contro-
the last cup of office coffee without
versy. Not the precise number of
making a fresh pot. This doesn't
abortions he performed. Not the
mean we want to encourage such
confusion he strewed in providing
activities.
that number.
With abortion, the matter is
The question is abortion and why
worse, because, up until Roe vs.
we supposedly need as surgeon
Wade, society was more or less unit-
general a man who, in person, has
ed on the proposition that unborn
extinguished unborn life. A full-
human life merited society's pro-
time, part-time or sometime abor-
tection. The Hippocratic Oath,
tionist should be considered
mentioned above, abjured abortion.
unqualified to function as the
Religious tradition condemned it.
nation's family doctor.
An older breed of feminist saw
Is this a harsh and uncharitable
abortion as the kind of thing to
thing to say as the Foster debate
which a man resorted after he got
kicks off? Dr. Foster himself seems
a poor girl in the family way. (Cf.
nice enough.
Theodore Dresier's "An American
His personal
Tragedy.")
dignity far
Nor has society changed its view
exceeds that
quite as radically as abortion
of the last
righters would like us to think. A
S.G.,Joycelyn
Roper Poll last year, done for Focus
Elders but,
on the Family and the Family
then, whose
Research Council, said 55 percent
dignity
of Americans object either to all
wouldn't? An
abortions or to many of them. The
organization
Clinton administration - as usual
with which he
- has felt the elephant's tusk and
is involved
decided what the whole beast looks
touts to teen-
like. Because everybody the Clin-
agers the
tons know is pro-choice, everybody
value of sexual abstinence. Far
is pro-choice, and isn't it wonderful?
from liking abortion, he "abhors" it.
Self-styled "moderates," espe-
Fair enough?
cially in the GOP, would like to
Actually not. Because the thing
change the whole subject. Thus, Dr.
he abhors, he does or anyway,
Foster may attract some Republi-
used to do. He has acted contrary
can support. But the subject can't
to the Hippocratic Oath and to eth-
be changed. It's as big a question as
ical and moral tradition.
our society wrestles with. Republi-
He has done this - why?
cans, who nominally control the
Because seven justices of the U.S.
Senate, can and should vote with
Supreme Court gave permission.
clear consciences against Dr. Fos-
That was all it took: a show of hands
ter. Or if not what are these peo-
in a conference room; a written
ple doing up there anyway?
legal rationale; seven signatures.
What was barbarous up to January,
1973, when Roe vs. Wade came
William Murchison, a columnist
down from on high, suddenly was
for the Dallas Morning News, is
fine, if not wonderful and heroic.
nationally syndicated
Dr. Foster is caught in the middle
of it all - a physician not without
moral scruples but unwilling to lean
hard on those scruples in the face
of Evolving Truth. It is proper to
feel sorry for a man who found a
Dr. Foster: Still the wrong man
Talk about confirmation conversions
extremists." And yesterday. the nominee
After months of couble-talk and thingy
deried "any intent to deceive" the public
veiled race-baiting Surgeon General
about his abortion record. He said an
nominee Henry Foster J: used his ccn-
"honest mistake" - a result of of speak.
firmation hearing yesterday to pass him-
ing from memory - created confusion
self off as just another family doctor, cut
over his abortion count Still, this was
in the mold of Marcus Welby. MD
some memory lapse: The reported total
But nothing Dr Foster said before the
went from one to seven to 89 to "perhaps
Senate Labor and Human Resources
700" within a week
Committee obscures the fact that his du-
Interestingly. even while abortion-
bious professional history and pricr ink
rights supporters represent Foster's
of candor render h:m unfit for the post to
nomination as a litmus test of the Clin-
which be's been nominated
ton administration's commitment to
Foster's appearance followed an elabo-
their cause, the nominee and the White
rately orchestrated White House cam-
House endeavor to downplay the abor-
paign designed to tovest the Tennessee
non component of Foster's career. The
obstetrician with mainstream appeal
administration, in fact, has provided
But utile President Chnton has tried
journalists with lists of women dis-
to make Foste: all things to all people -
suaded by Foster from having abortions.
"a pro-hfe, pro-choice ooctor" (we bad you
Yesterday, moreover, Foster said be
not, - there L6 good reason for the na
wanted to be known not as an abortion-
bon to find num objectionable
1st but as "a doctor who delivers babies."
His non-consensual sterihzations of re-
That's understandable. And yes, the
tarded black women IF. the 1970s did not
nominee has delivered many babies. But
conform to then-accepted medical cus-
- like a great number of American ob-
tom; his reported pre-disclosure knowl-
stetricians and gynecologists be's also
edge of the infamous Tuskegee study on
done lots of abortions. A decent respect
untreated syphilis in black males hasn't
for the sensibilities of pro-lifers Amer-
yet been satisfactority explained: and his
icans who regard abortion as morally
regularly updated count of the number
wrong - should move even a pro-choice
of abortions bes performed bespeaks a
White House to nominate as surgeon-ge-
continuing inability to discuss an impor-
neral a physician who practices in a dif-
tant moral issue in a candic manner.
ferent field.
Meanwhile, Foster's willingness to play
It seems to us that Dr. Foster is an
the race card to defuse CTILICSM of his
able and amiable man who'd be better
nomination has been decidedly discon-
off never having been picked to replace
certing
the embarrassing Joycelyn Elders. Still,
True, Foster, of late, has been singing
if the Chinton administration fails to
a different tune. No longer does be de-
withdraw his nomination, we hope the
nounce his critics as "white, right-wing
Senate rejects it.
THE GREEN SHEET 65
The Arizona Republic
Tuesday, May 2, 1995
Henry Foster, in his own words
F
OR three months, it's been open
against teen-age pregnancy, a phenomenon
season on Henry Foster. His
President Clinton says is "our most
nomination as surgeon general has
serious social problem." No one can doubt
been used in ongoing battles for political
the enormity of teen pregnancy, and a
gain - the presidency of the United
crusading surgeon surgeon could very well
States, the fight to eliminate a woman's
be part of the comprehensive solution to
right to choose an abortion, the swing of
stop the prevalence of unintended preg-
power between the White House and
nancy among juveniles. Former Surgeon
Capitol Hill.
General Joycelyn Elders was on that track
Today, Foster gets his chance to
before being derailed by her own outra-
speak for himself. The confirmation
geous comments.
hearing before the Senate Labor and
A fair hearing will promote informed
Human Relations Committee is an impor-
opinion about Foster's work as a medical
tant political day for the Nashville doctor.
professional.
It's also important for the public at large,
If we term 39 legal abortions over a
which deserves the benefit of having the
40-year career as something bad, is
nomination process carried out, not
bringing 10,000 babies into the world
thwarted by political whim and malice
good? If performing hysterectomies on the
that scuttled presidential nominees Zoe
mentally retarded during an era when it
Baird and Lani Guinier and tinged the
was acceptable medical practice is bad, is
appointment of Arizona's Janet Napoli-
founding a nationally recognized teen-age
tano for U.S. attorney.
pregnancy prevention program that
Unlike Baird and Guinier, Foster
stresses abstinence and self-esteem among
gets the opportunity to address directly
poor children good?
the issues raised about him. And there is
Can the good in Foster's record
no short supply.
outweigh whatever is deemed bad by those
The public deserves to know his
charged with determining whether the
views on abortion, perhaps America's
doctor deserves command of the bully
most polarizing issue.
pulpit of the Surgeon General's Office?
Foster needs to explain his role, if
Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole is
any, in The Tuskegee Project, a long-time
threatening to keep the nomination from a
government experiment that denied 400
full vote if it gets out of committee.
black men treatment for syphilis, even
Another presidential candidate, Phil
after it became known that penicillin was
Gramm, is threatening to filibuster a vote.
effective on the disease.
Naturally, there is a phone and letter-writ-
The question of his performing
ing campaign by anti-abortion forces.
hysterectomies on the mentally retarded
If the question of merit is thoroughly
also begs further explanation.
explored in honest debate and the side
The public needs to hear from the
issues put in their proper places, if politics
doctor about his view of the role of
is controlled, the public will know if it is
surgeon general.
getting a qualified candidate. And that's
Foster calls himself a crusader
the real point.
004
HHS
ORD
KCMO
DUSIGA
05/08/95
10:40
816 426 3535
ST.LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
ANALYSIS
IV, MAY 2, 1995
EDITORIALS
Henry Foster Must Provide Answers
Anti-abcrtion forces have succeeded in turning
izing several severely mentally retarded women
the nomination or Dr. Henry Foster for the post of
during the 1970s. Senators and the public will want
U.S. surgeon general into a litmus test for Senate
to know what alternatives he might pursue if con-
Republicans. For that reason, his confirmation hear-
fronted with the same ethical issue today.
ings, which begin today, could turn into political
Even more disturbing ethical questions surround
grandstanding.
Dr. Foster's knowledge of a government study that
The Clinton administration is partly to blame for
denied medical treatment to 400 black male victims
the Foster nomination being in trouble. Neither Dr.
of syphilis. Some abortion opponents dug up this
Foster nor the White House was frank from the
issue because they are leaving no stone unturned in
start about his role in performing abortions. He
their efforts to undermine Dr. Foster's nomination.
initially said he had performed fewer than a dozen.
Motive aside, however, Dr. Foster must explain
He later conceded that the number was 39 and that
what he knew about the study, when he learned of it
he had supervised a medical study involving the use
and whether he spoke out against it.
of a drug that induced abortions in 55 women.
On the positive side, Dr. Foster is highly regarded
The initial evasiveness gave the political right an
in the medical field, and he can take credit for
excuse to hunt for and find contradictions in Dr.
espousing a policy of abstinence and sex education
Foster's record and put the administration on the
to discourage teen pregnancy among the poor. He is
defensive. Clearly, Dr. Foster had nothing to hide in
founder of Nashville's "I Have a Future Program."
having performed a medical procedure that's pro-
It provides counseling to teens from the city's public
tected by law. No: should the administration have
housing developments and urges them to put ca-
allowed abortion opponents to make an issue of Dr.
reers ahead of sexual activities and childbearing.
Foster's role in the do-it-yourself abortion drug.
Impressive as Dr. Foster's reputation and the
After all, the administration is supporting clinical
program are, they might not be enough to offset the
trials of RU-486, another abortion-inducing drug.
many questions that have been raised about him.
But the ethical issues surrounding the nominee
But the Senate and the public should keep an open
are more knotty. He will have to explain more fully
mind and give him an opportunity to make a case for
the hysterectomies he performed as a wav o: steril-
his confirmation.
USA Today; 5-2-95
Thumbs down on Foster
OPPOSING VIEW
Based on his
today he will give a sixth.
record, the
Foster told ABC's Ted Koppel that he
"abhors" abortion. But for years, he has ad-
evasive physician Isn't fit for the
vised Planned Parenthood, which pushes
job of surgeon general.
tax-funded abortion on demand and op-
poses parental consent laws. If this is ab-
By Gary L. Bauer
horrence, what is love?
Henry Foster Jr., President Clinton's
America needs a healer, but Clinton has
nominee for surgeon general, is to appear
nominated a divider, a man who special-
today before the Senate Labor and Human
izes in being unaware of the most impor-
Resources Committee. But which version
tant public health controversies of his time.
of Henry Foster will it be?
Foster was "unaware" of the abominable
Will it be the Henry Foster who "ab-
Tuskegee syphilis study when everyone
hors" abortion, champions abstinence and
around him knew of it. He seems to have
family, and holds enlightened views about
been similarly "unaware" that removing
the sterilization of the mentally disabled?
the uteri of the mentally disabled was ethi-
Or will it be the Henry Foster who per-
cally troubling, years after the government
forms abortions and tests new abortifa-
moved against the practice.
cients, distributes condoms to children
Former surgeon general Joycelyn Elders
without parental consent, and is a national
talked radical policy; Foster delivers it.
advocate for Planned Parenthood?
Public health - from heart disease to can-
Given the conservative temper of the
cer to drug policy to smoking — transcends
times, the first version is likely to address
the narrow "sexual issue" portfolio that has
been Foster's stock in trade. It is time we
the Senate today and tomorrow. But the
latter version is more accurate.
had a surgeon general for all Americans.
The Senate's answer to Foster's evasions
From the day he was nominated, Foster
continually has reinvented himself and his
should be a straightforward "No."
record.
Gary L. Bauer is president of the Family Re
On the simple question of the number of
search Council, Washington, D.C., and was a
abortions he personally performed, he has
domestic policy adviser in the Reagan admin-
given five separate accounts. Chances are
istration.
Wash. Post; 4-20-95
Will Dr. Foster Have His Day?
T
HANKS TO A not-ready-for-prime-time
nomination clears the Senate committee, he still
performance by Dr. Henry Foster and the
may not allow a floor vote. That stance may
White House, President Clinton's choice to
trump Sen. Gramm's talkathon threat and per-
be surgeon general was already dangerously
haps please GOP lawmakers who would just as
adrift even before his name formally reached the
soon take a pass on debating a woman's right to
Senate. Now the Foster nomination is reeling
choose, or maybe earn applause from antiabor-
under the double impact of Republican opposition
tion activists and the religious right. But it is not
and presidential politics. The latest Republican
the way for the U.S. Senate to exercise its own
presidential candidates to line up against Dr.
obligations.
Foster are fellow Tennessean Lamar Alexander
and Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole. Anoth-
President Clinton promises to go to the mat for
er GOP presidential hopeful, Sen. Phil Gramm,
his embattled nominee, calling him "a good man
already had threatened to filibuster the Foster
with a good record.
He is qualified, he should
nomination if it reaches the Senate floor. What
be confirmed." That will be the question when
matters more at the moment, however, is that
Sen. Nancy Kassebaum's Labor and Human Re-
Sen. Dole appears to be toying with the idea of
sources Committee holds hearings early next
denying the Senate a vote on Dr. Foster's fitness
month. The president decries the likelihood of
to serve. That would be unfair.
Dr. Foster's getting caught up in presidential
Sen. Dole has weighed in against Dr. Foster
politics. Of course the nomination itself was made
even before the nominee has had a chance to say
with an eye to politics; there's no point in denying
a word in his own behalf in hearings. Contrast
it. In deciding on the next surgeon general,
that with his February statement, "We shouldn't
however, it should be the committee, and the
shoot down somebody before they've even had a
facts developed about the nominee's fitness dur-
hearing." That, however, was before Sen.
ing the hearings, that determine how the Senate
Gramm publicly broached the idea of filibustering
ultimately works its will on Dr. Foster-and the
the Foster nomination ("Gridlock is sometimes a
hearing should go forward. If opponents of Dr.
good thing").
Foster believe they have a strong case against
Sen. Dole now says that even if the Foster
him, they shouldn't be afraid to make it.
THE GREEN SHEET
69
Wash. Times; 4-12-95
doctors have something to hide. To
sent from 1965 to 1973. While his
Ten reasons
them it is a debate over numbers,
supporters claim this practice was
but everyone knows the issue here
common at the time. columnist
is honesty.
Tony Snow writes. that most states
to sink the
Fourth, while Dr. Foster claims
had outlawed the practice by that
to abhor abortion, he seems per-
time and "doctors and philosophers
fectly willing to lay aside his con-
had mounted a furious debate about
victions for the right amount of
the propriety of performing such
Foster
money. For example, Dr. Foster
operations even with the consent of
explained his willingness to con-
the person involved." Do you think
duct the abortion suppository
that someone who had supported
nomination
research by saying that Meharry
segregation before the Supreme
Medical College had a research
Court's Brown vs. Board of Educa-
grant from the Upjohn Company
tion decision in 1954 would have a
for the work. It was "a part of keep-
chance of being confirmed as, let's
ing our program accredited
20
By Thomas L. Jipping
say, a federal judge?
percent of all universities survive
Ninth, Dr. Foster may not have
on grant funds." Were there no
D
r. Henry W. Foster Jr., Pres-
been the successful academic
ident Clinton's nominee to be
other grants for other types of
administrator that he and the White
surgeon general, and his
research? Apparently, Dr. Foster
House have claimed. In fact, the
White House handlers live in a sim-
was quite willing to put aside his
obstetrics-gynecology residency
convictions about abortion when
ple world.
program at Meharry Medical Col-
the grant check arrived.
Name-calling is their means of
lege permanently lost its accredi-
Fifth, Dr. Foster and his handlers
addressing - or rather dismissing
tation in 1990 while Dr. Foster head-
have been dishonest about his close
- Dr. Foster's critics. White House
ed the department and was dean of
ties to abortion advocates. He has
press secretary Mike McCurry
medicine.
been a member of the national
calls them extremists. Dr. Foster
Tenth, reality may not match the
calls them racists. But no amount of
board of the Planned Parenthood
hype about Dr. Foster's efforts at
petty name-calling can avoid the
Federation of America (PPFA), the
combatting teen pregnancy. Infor-
many disturbing issues raised by
largest abortion provider in the
mation about Dr. Foster's "I Have A
the Foster nomination. Here's the
country, and served on the leader-
Future" program in Nashville is
Top 10 list.
ship committee of PPFA's Cam-
disturbingly scarce. The program's
First, Dr. Foster's professional
paign to Keep Abortion Safe and
director refused to provide The
career is inextricably tied to abor-
Legal, which opposes any abortion
Washington Times with documen-
tion. His supporters' response that
restrictions. The official White
tation that the program lowered
abortion is a legal medical proce-
House biography deleted any such
pregnancy rates, and non-profit
affiliations when Mr. Clinton first
dure is irrelevant. Smoking ciga-
organizations seeking the same
rettes is legal, yet the Senate would
announced his intention to nomi-
information have similarly been
nate Dr. Foster on Feb. 2. Sen. Bill
hardly confirm a smoker as sur-
rebuffed. According to The Times,
geon general.
Frist, Tennessee Republican,
neither the White House nor the
Second, Dr. Foster changes his
attended that announcement but
Department of Health and Human
later said he had not been informed
tune about abortion and other top-
Services has cooperated. Even
ics to fit his audience. He said on
of Dr. Foster's close ties to abortion
members of the Tennessee legisla-
advocates.
"Nightline," "I abhor abortion," but
ture have been turned away when
he told an audience at George
Sixth, the White House has false-
they have tried to determine
Washington University, "I believe in
ly portrayed Dr. Foster as holding
whether Dr. Foster's program is
a woman's right to choose." He has
more moderate views than his pre-
successful.
told black audiences that "white
decessor. Mr. Clinton supposedly
Dr. Foster and his White House
right-wing extremists" were oppos-
fired former Surgeon General
handlers want to say that the debate
ing him and minority nominees
Joycelyn Elders after she said that
is only about how many abortions
"are certainly being attacked," but
masturbation should be taught to
he has performed. That is cynical,
he told USA Today that "this is not
school children. PPFA, with whom
simplistic and demeaning. No, Dr.
about race at all." Will the real
Dr. Foster has been closely associ-
Foster's nomination is, and should
Henry Foster please stand up?
ated for nearly 20 years, endorses
be, in serious jeopardy for many
Third, Dr. Foster and his han-
the Sex Education and Information
more substantive reasons none of
dlers have been dishonest about
Council of the United States, which
which can be dismissed as racist or
his abortion record. The White
indeed advocates masturbation
extremist.
House first said Dr. Foster per-
education for young children.
formed one abortion; Dr. Foster
Seventh, there is evidence that
then said "less than 12"; and the
Dr. Foster lied about his acquies-
White House again changed the
cence in a notorious research pro-
number to 39. They want to reduce
ject that denied necessary medical
the entire debate to a squabble over
care to black men with syphilis. A
numbers.
long-term federally funded
The latest figure, for example, is
research project studying black
the number of abortions he per-
men with syphilis withheld neces-
formed in one hospital where he
sary treatment without the partic-
was the "physician of record." Dr.
ipants' knowledge. In May 1969,
Foster won't count anything before
federal officials briefed the Macon
1973, when most abortions were
County, Ala., medical society, of
illegal in Alabama, where he prac-
which Dr. Foster was vice presi-
ticed medicine. He won't count the
dent. Dr. Foster claims he missed
59 abortions resulting from his
that meeting and objected to the
research study to develop an abor-
study years later. Dr. Luther
tion suppository because, he says,
McRae, the medical society's pres-
these women were not "private
ident, is willing to testify under oath
patients." Why all the hair-splitting?
that Dr. Foster did attend the meet-
Maybe the nominee and his spin
ing but raised no objection to the
syphilis study.
Eighth, Dr. Foster sterilized
Thomas L. Jipping, a lawyer, is
retarded women without their con-
director of the Center for Law &
Democracy at the Free Congress
Foundation.
04/26/95
08:44
816 426 3535
HHS - ORD KCMO
DUSIGA
1001
4A / THE TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL Wednesday, April 19, 1995
SURGEON GENERAL
Is it Foster's fate?
ublic Health Week was
P
If the surgeon general's
observed largely without
notice April 3-9. And that's
nomination is to be
a shame; there are more
sacrificed to special
public health problems out there
than one can shake a syringe at.
interests, get on with it.
At the same time, we are observing
yet another month without a surgeon
Perhaps the Kansas senator is
general, which is a shame as well;
opposing Foster because he feels
each week that bully pulpit is empty
Foster lied. Perhaps, as a luxury,
is a week without the public health's
Dole's opposition to Foster will help
No. 1 advocate.
Dole win the hearts of anti-abortion
President Clinton's choice to
forces that may help him earn the
replace the ousted Dr. Joycelyn
GOP presidential nomination.
Elders, Dr. Henry Foster, faces a
Whatever Dole's motivation, it
Senate confirmation hearing May 2
would be lamentable if a qualified
- three months after the announce-
doctor were to be sacrificed to spe-
ment of his nomination.
cial interests.
As if that delay weren't enough,
But it would be even more regret-
Kansas Sen. Bob Dole now says he
table if the nomination were to drag
may use his influence to block the
on ad infinitum.
nomination - meaning the surgeon
If this is to be Foster's fate, then,
general's post could remain in limbo
let's get on with it and don't play
for yet more months.
games. Have the hearing and simply
Opponents of the nomination cite
vote the nomination up or down.
Foster's record of performing abor-
Otherwise, nominations for such a
tions - and of later misstating their
government post might have to come
number.
with a surgeon general's warning.
OPTIONAL FORM 99 (7.90)
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From Reg.VIL
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Phone 816/426-2821
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GENERAL SERV CES ADMINISTRATION
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1995
NEW YORK POST
Founded by Alexander Hamilton 5 1801
RUPERT MURDOCH Editor-in-Chief
KEN CHANDLER
MARTIN SINGERMAN
Editor
Publisher
JOHN CASSIDY
ERIC BREINDEL
Deputy Editor
Editorial Page Editor
America's oldest continuously published daily newspaper
The Foster solution
Remember Dr. Henry Foster, Presi-
It's doubtful, after all, that the White
dent Clinton's choice to succeed Joyce-
House is dismayed by the possibility
lyn Elders as surgeon general?
that senators won't publicly debate
Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole
Foster's inability to remember how
(R-Kan.) hinted over the weekend that
many abortions he performed during
he may block consideration of the Fos-
his medical career: The count, recall,
ter nomination. If Dole refuses to let
went quickly from one to seven to 39
the nomination reach the Senate floor,
to "perhaps 700." Nor will Clintonites
he'll undoubtedly take flak from liber-
likely be disappointed if Foster's back-
als for squelching debate and denying
ers don't have a chance to demonstrate
the Tennessee obstetrician a "fair"
that his decision to sterilize severely
hearing. Actually, the flak has already
retarded black women in the 1970s
started coming.
represented acccepted medical proce-
But the Clinton administration will
dure at the time. In fact, the adminis-
likely breathe a secret sigh of relief if
tration might not mind if the question
it's spared a nasty floor fight over Fos-
of whether or not Foster learned of the
ter. While the President remains under
Tuskegee study on untreated syphilis
pressure from special-interest groups
in black males before its public disclo-
to stand by Foster no matter how
sure remained unexplored.
many times the good doctor revises his
It's certainly ironic that Bob Dole, a
official abortion count or plays the race
prospective GOP presidential nomi-
card to defuse criticism of his nomi-
nee, has reason to spare the adminis-
nation Clinton's political handlers
tration a political headache. Still,
surely understand that Foster has
President Clinton would be unwise to
proved a major embarrassment.
look a gift horse in the mouth.
FAX NC. 06
P.02
APR-18-95 TUE 9:23
Boston HERald
Tuesday- April 18th
Drop Foster's nomination
In saying he might not
American people are decply
bring up Dr. Henry Foster's
divided. Polls show a majority
nomination as surgeon gen-
believes abortion should be le-
eral for a vote, Senate Major-
gal in at least some circum-
ity Leader Bob Dole is doing
stances, but larger majorities
the administration a favor.
say it should be severely re-
The president can do himself
stricted. The president may
an even bigger favor by with-
think he can energize part of
drawing the nomination be-
his constituency by fighting
fore the scheduled May 2
for Foster, hut he'll energize
hearings.
the other side too.
The main objection to Fos-
After Dr. Joycelyn Elders,
ter is his inconsistencies on
who added a new dimension to
the number of abortions he's
the expression "loose can-
performed. Initially, the ob-
non," Clinton should have
stetrician-gynecologist said it
picked a less controversial
was fewer than a dozen, then
nominee, someone who could
39. In a 1979 transcript from a
promote health without con-
federal advisory panel, a
troversy -- say a prominent
speaker identified as Dr. Fos-
cancer researcher or a distin-
ter seems to say he performed
guished cardiac surgeon.
more than 700 abortions.
Instead, with his unerring
Numbers aside, why must
instinct for disaster, the pres-
we have someone who per-
ident tapped a Planned Par-
formed any abortions as the
enthood activist, condom-dis-
nation's chief public health
tribution advocate and
officer? More than 22 years
sometimes abortionist. For
after Roe V. Wade, abortion
many reasons, not the least to
remains the most controver-
save Dr. Foster further cm-
sial political issue.
barrassment, Clinton should
Abortions are legal, but the
throw in the towel on this one.
THE GREEN SHEET
69
Wash. Times; 4-12-95
doctors have something to hide. To
sent from 1965 to 1973. While his
Ten reasons
them it is a debate over numbers,
supporters claim this practice was
but everyone knows the issue here
common at the time. columnist
is honesty.
Tony Snow writes that most states
Fourth, while Dr. Foster claims
to sink the
had outlawed the practice by that
to abhor abortion, he seems per-
time and "doctors and philosophers
fectly willing to lay aside his con-
had mounted a furious debate about
victions for the right amount of
the propriety of performing such
Foster
money. For example, Dr. Foster
operations even with the consent of
explained his willingness to con-
the person involved." Do you think
duct the abortion suppository
that someone who had supported
nomination
research by saying that Meharry
segregation before the Supreme
Medical College had a research
Court's Brown vs. Board of Educa-
grant from the Upjohn Company
tion decision in 1954 would have a
for the work. It was part of keep-
chance of being confirmed as, let's
ing our program accredited
20
say, a federal judge?
By Thomas L. Jipping
percent of all universities survive
Ninth, Dr. Foster may not have
on grant funds." Were there no
D
r. Henry W. Foster Jr., Pres-
been the successful academic
other grants for other types of
ident Clinton's nominee to be
administrator that he and the White
research? Apparently, Dr. Foster
surgeon general, and his
House have claimed. In fact, the
was quite willing to put aside his
White House handlers live in a sim-
obstetrics-gynecology residency
convictions about abortion when
ple world.
program at Meharry Medical Col-
the grant check arrived.
Name-calling is their means of
lege permanently lost its accredi-
Fifth, Dr. Foster and his handlers
addressing - or rather dismissing
tation in 1990 while Dr. Foster head-
have been dishonest about his close
- Dr. Foster's critics. White House
ed the department and was dean of
ties to abortion advocates. He has
medicine.
press secretary Mike McCurry
been a member of the national
calls them extremists. Dr. Foster
Tenth, reality may not match the
board of the Planned Parenthood
calls them racists. But no amount of
hype about Dr. Foster's efforts at
petty name-calling can avoid the
Federation of America (PPFA), the
combatting teen pregnancy. Infor-
many disturbing issues raised by
largest abortion provider in the
mation about Dr. Foster's "I Have A
the Foster nomination. Here's the
country, and served on the leader-
Future" program in Nashville is
Top 10 list.
ship committee of PPFA's Cam-
disturbingly scarce. The program's
First, Dr. Foster's professional
paign to Keep Abortion Safe and
director refused to provide The
career is inextricably tied to abor-
Legal, which opposes any abortion
Washington Times with documen-
restrictions. The official White
tion. His supporters' response that
tation that the program lowered
abortion is a legal medical proce-
House biography deleted any such
pregnancy rates, and non-profit
affiliations when Mr. Clinton first
dure is irrelevant. Smoking ciga-
organizations seeking the same
announced his intention to nomi-
rettes is legal, yet the Senate would
information have similarly been
nate Dr. Foster on Feb. 2. Sen. Bill
hardly confirm a smoker as sur-
rebuffed. According to The Times,
geon general.
Frist, Tennessee Republican,
neither the White House nor the
attended that announcement but
Second, Dr. Foster changes his
Department of Health and Human
later said he had not been informed
tune about abortion and other top-
Services has cooperated. Even
of Dr. Foster's close ties to abortion
ics to fit his audience. He said on
members of the Tennessee legisla-
advocates.
"Nightline," "I abhor abortion," but
ture have been turned away when
Sixth, the White House has false-
he told an audience at George
they have tried to determine
Washington University, "I believe in
ly portrayed Dr. Foster as holding
whether Dr. Foster's program is
a woman's right to choose." He has
more moderate views than his pre-
successful.
told black audiences that "white
decessor. Mr. Clinton supposedly
Dr. Foster and his White House
fired former Surgeon General
right-wing extremists" were oppos-
handlers want to say that the debate
Joycelyn Elders after she said that
ing him and minority nominees
is only about how many abortions
"are certainly being attacked," but
masturbation should be taught to
he has performed. That is cynical,
school children. PPFA, with whom
he told USA Today that "this is not
simplistic and demeaning. No, Dr.
about race at all." Will the real
Dr. Foster has been closely associ-
Foster's nomination is, and should
Henry Foster please stand up?
ated for nearly 20 years, endorses
be, in serious jeopardy for many
the Sex Education and Information
Third, Dr. Foster and his han-
more substantive reasons- none of
dlers have been dishonest about
Council of the United States, which
which can be dismissed as racist or
his abortion record. The White
indeed advocates masturbation
extremist.
House first said Dr. Foster per-
education for young children.
formed one abortion; Dr. Foster
Seventh, there is evidence that
then said "less than 12"; and the
Dr. Foster lied about his acquies-
White House again changed the
cence in a notorious research pro-
number to 39. They want to reduce
ject that denied necessary medical
the entire debate to a squabble over
care to black men with syphilis. A
numbers.
long-term federally funded
The latest figure, for example, is
research project studying black
the number of abortions he per-
men with syphilis withheld neces-
formed in one hospital where he
sary treatment without the partic-
was the "physician of record." Dr.
ipants' knowledge. In May 1969,
Foster won't count anything before
federal officials briefed the Macon
1973. when most abortions were
County, Ala., medical society, of
illegal in Alabama, where he prac-
which Dr. Foster was vice presi-
ticed medicine. He won't count the
dent. Dr. Foster claims he missed
59 abortions resulting from his
that meeting and objected to the
research study to develop an abor-
study years later. Dr. Luther
tion suppository because, he says,
McRae, the medical society's pres-
these women were not "private
ident, is willing to testify under oath
patients." Why all the hair-splitting?
that Dr. Foster did attend the meet-
Maybe the nominee and his spin
ing but raised no objection to the
syphilis study.
Eighth, Dr. Foster sterilized
Thomas L. Jipping, a lawyer, is
retarded women without their con-
director of the Center for Law &
Democracy at the Free Congress
Foundation
The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville 3/21/95
SURGEON GENERAL
Judgment is the issue
S
urgeon general nominee Henry
The surgeon general's job is to rally
Foster added nothing relevant to the
public support around vital health issues,
discussion, and actually damaged his
such as AIDS prevention and anti-smoking
own credibility, by intimating that his
efforts. He cannot do that effectively if he
critics are racists.
is actively involved with a controversial
Foster, who is black, recently said
cause, regardless which side he takes.
minorities chosen for top
Second, there are
Clinton administration
concerns about Foster's
posts "are being
alleged knowledge of the
attacked" and "it
Tuskegee Project, a 40-
certainly looks fishy."
year government study
Lani Guinier's
in which poor black men
nomination was derailed
with syphilis were
after her unusual
deliberately left
theories on government
untreated. He denies the
were publicized. Also,
allegations.
Mike Espy resigned
Finally, there are
under pressure amid
inconsistent stories.
ethics problems and
Administration officials
Joycelyn Elders was
initially said they
Foster
forced out after publicly
understood he had
advocating that public schools teach
performed one abortion. Later, he revised
masturbation.
that number upward to "fewer than a
But whites are treated no better.
dozen" - then recalled 39 of them, plus
The nominations of Zoe Baird, Kimba
another 55 with the abortion drugs. Later,
Wood, Bobby Ray Inman and Michael P.C.
transcripts of a 1978 meeting turned up,
Carns were withdrawn after past events in
quoting him as putting the potential
their lives were questioned. At least three
number closer to 700.
others were confirmed but later resigned
under criticism - David Watkins, Bernard
Those discrepancies look - well, fishy.
Nussbaum and Les Aspin.
It could be that he was "fudging" on
The problem isn't that Republicans are
the truth to conceal his record or that his
racists; it's that this administration has a
memory is hopelessly unreliable, either
notoriously poor hiring record.
which would be a concern. Or perhaps
Foster's nomination is in jeopardy over
everything was a big misunderstanding -
three issues.
and, if so, that needs to come out, so his
First, as an obstetrician, he performed
critics can move on to other issues.
abortions and played a key role in the
There is nothing wrong with sorting out
hospital trial of an abortion-inducing drug.
the facts before acting on a nomination.
PAUL GREENBERG
Wash. Times; 3-10-95
A man of our changing times?
any of us would like to
differ. Dr. Foster says he didn't learn
whatever it was at the time. Just as
M
give the Clinton admin-
of the experiment till 1972, when it
he is now. Unfortunately, conven-
istration's latest nominee
came to light and provoked national
tional morality is not the same thing
for surgeon general the
outrage. "Had I learned the facts of
as morality, any more than the con-
benefit of the doubt. Only the doubts
the study any earlier," says Dr. Fos-
ventional wisdom is wisdom. Even
keep multiplying, and the benefit
ter, "I would have been equally out-
in human affairs, some things are
gets harder and harder to give
raged then." The doctor says he can't
beyond time and fashion.
Henry W. Foster Jr., M.D., a man of
remember attending that meeting in
Dr. Foster is frighteningly typical
his unthinking times.
1969, although a colleague- Luther
of medical ethics in the 20th centu-
This nomination was already
McRae, now practicing in Georgia
ry, and not just the medical kind.
troubled by various inconsistencies
- puts him there. "There weren't
Sterilization of the mentally retard-
in the doctor's statements. For exam-
too many of us," recalls Dr. McRae.
ed, experiments in abortion, the
ple, it wasn't easy to pin down the
"There were about three members
infamous Tuskegee Project
The
number of abortions he had per-
man seems to have been connected
formed or why.
in some way with them all. Even if
It also turns out that, back in the
1970s, Dr. Foster took part in the
That is what may be
he doesn't remember them very
clearly now.
sterilization of mentally retarded
women. It's hard to imagine how the
most disturbing about
Naturally such a physician would
be connected with eugenics, too. In
retarded could give any kind of
his nomination: He
the transcript of a 1978 discussion
informed consent to such a proce-
in which Dr. Foster uses still
dure, but the practice was accept-
never seems to have
another figure for the total number
able then. Indeed, as the White
House would put it, the doctor was
practiced ethics
of abortions he has performed ("I
have done a lot of amniocentesis
"very much in the mainstream of
medical practice at the time he per-
prematurely. He was
and therapeutic abortions, probably
near 700") he is also quoted as
formed those hysterectomies."
always in lockstep with
approving research on human
The doctor now is said to have
been connected with another main-
the conventional
embryos. ("Well, if we have spares
that are not used for insemination,
stream scandal in the history of
morality, whatever it
they could be used for research.")
American medicine: The Tuskegee
There's an awful lot of smoke sur-
Project. This was a study of 400
was at the time.
rounding Dr. Foster's career and his
black men who were known to have
candor about it for there to be no fire.
syphilis but showed no symptoms
A full hearing on his nomination is
of it - when the U.S. Public Health
very much needed. It could even
Service began the project in 1932.
prove a great national education -
The men were not treated for the
who didn't show. I remember where
not so much about whether another
disease so their long-term health
Dr. Foster sat. I was at the end of the
political appointment should be con-
could be compared with that of a
table, and to my left he was sitting
firmed, but about something much
control group 200 black men free
two or three chairs down."
more important: The elasticity of
of the disease. The object of the
Maybe you had to be there to
ethics in our quickly changing times.
experiment was to see if it was
understand. Or maybe not be there.
A detailed look at the rise of
worthwhile to treat latent syphilis
Luther McRae could be mistaken
Henry W. Foster Jr. might encour-
with the ineffective means then
about Dr. Foster's having attended
age some introspection on the part
available.
the meeting, or maybe Dr. Foster
of the rest of us, or even inspire the
But by the 1960s, penicillin an
wasn't paying attention. It is hard to
question: What practices do we
effective treatment had been
believe that the vice president of a
commonly accept in 1995 that some
available for decades. Nevertheless,
medical society in a small Southern
future, better age will look back on
this cruel study was continued, and
town would never hear about such a
with horror and disbelief? Just as we
the 400 subjects remained untreat-
visit, and revelation, from the Pub-
now view the Tuskegee Project or
ed, incredible as that decision may
lic Health Service. Then again, this
the sterilization of the retarded.
seem today. The Public Health Ser-
experiment was in the mainstream
We are so much creatures of our
vice even enlisted the cooperation of
of scientific research in the '30s, just
times that it may not be easy to tell
local physicians in the project,
as hysterectomies for the retarded
what will shock a future generation,
doubtless to give itself some cover.
were in the '70s, and abortion is now.
but there might be a hint in the
Doctors from the Public Health Ser-
Far from violating the medical
approximately 1,700,000 abortions
vice met with the Macon County
ethics of his time, Henry Foster
performed in this country every
Medical Society (Henry Foster, vice
seems to have personified them
year.
president) on May 19, 1969, and per-
through a long and distinguished
suaded the local physicians not to
career. That is what may be most
help some 90 surviving patients
disturbing about his nomination: He
Paul Greenberg is editorial page
should they show up seeking treat-
never seems to have practiced ethics
editor of the Arkansas Democrat
ment.
prematurely. He was always in lock-
Gazette in Little Rock and a nation-
Accounts of the meeting in 1969
step with the conventional morality,
ally syndicated columnist.
ERIC BREINDEL
Wash. Times; 3-7-95
r. Henry Foster's name
D
was finally submitted to
the Senate last week,
Persevering after the
despite a pre-confirmation
furor of a sort that's never before
attended the nomination of a sur-
geon general. Still, President Clin-
latest revelations
ton seems determined to stand by
his nominee, if only to avoid the vac-
illation charges hurled at the chief
executive in the aftermath of the
protest. He didn't initiate the exper-
Zoe Baird, Kimba Wood and Lani
Is Dr. Foster - who's
iment, nor did he take part in it. But
Guinier debacles.
his claim to pre-1972 ignorance
Dr. Foster's difficulties, of course,
began with the "revelation" he -
taken to blaming his
doesn't stand up under scrutiny.
In this context, it seems reason-
like most American obstetricians -
political problems on
able to wonder how a white physi-
has performed abortions.
cian who'd known about the
A decent respect for the sensi-
"white, right-wing
Tuskegee enterprise and had chosen
bilities of the tens of millions of
to remain silent would likely fare in
Americans who oppose abortion on
extremists" -actually
a Senate confirmation process.
moral grounds might have led the
benefiting from a
Not well, it's safe to say.
Clinton administration not to select
Is Dr. Foster - who's taken to
an ob-gyn for the surgeon general's
bizarre racial double
blaming his political problems on
post.
"white, right-wing extremists" -
And, needless to say, the fact that
standard? It would
actually benefiting from a bizarre
neither Dr. Foster nor the White
racial double standard? It would
House proved able to provide accu-
seem so.
seem so.
rate information as to the number
This notion is buttressed by a
of abortions the nominee had per-
recently unearthed 1974 article in
formed - the count went quickly
with penicillin.
which Dr. Foster reported that he'd
from one to seven to 39 to "perhaps
Then a physician at Tuskegee,
begun performing hysterectomies
700" - made matters worse. Sud-
Dr. Foster claims not to have
on severely retarded black women
denly, credibility was an issue.
learned about the experiment -
- both in order to sterilize them
Then, last week, reports con-
one of the darkest chapters in
and for "hygienic" reasons (i.e., to
cerning Dr. Foster's likely aware-
American medical history - before
prevent them from having men-
ness of the infamous Tuskegee
the official story was made public.
strual periods).
experiment surfaced.
But there's exceedingly strong
There's no evidence Dr. Foster
Dr. Foster, it seems - in his
evidence that he was briefed by
secured consent of any sort from
capacity as vice president of the
Public Health Service physicians
the guardians of the women in
tiny Macon County (Ga.) Medical
about the project as early as 1969,
question before sterilizing them.
Society - was informed about "The
along with the other members of
And, in fact, the federal govern-
Tuskegee Study of Untreated
the 12-doctor medical society.
ment barred the use of public funds
Syphilis in the Negro Male" three
The group's president, whom Dr.
for the involuntary sterilization of
years prior to the Public Health
Foster eventually succeeded,
the mentally retarded the very
Service's 1972 decision to come
recalls the latter's presence - and
same year Dr. Foster wrote his arti-
clean. In that year, Washington
even where Dr. Foster sat - at a
cle.
acknowledged that - since 1932 -
1969 meeting during which the
While the White House rushed
it had followed the progress of 400
Tuskegee disclosures were made.
forward with testimony from a Har-
black men afflicted with syphilis,
The point, of course, is that Dr.
vard Medical School professor who
never, all the while, providing them
Foster failed to raise his voice in
was willing to judge Dr. Foster's
BACKGROUND
HE UH FEELS
SEEMS LIKE
SOLID.
THE UPSTANDING
SORT
HOUSE
CHECK DEPART
CHECK
WHITE
HE LOOKS FINE
MR. PRESIDENT..
MR. PRESIDENT?
HOMINEES
REJECTED
practices "very controversial
sterilization of the retarded was, in
tions, the sterilizations and the
but well within the scope of stan-
any sense, an accepted practice -
silence vis-a-vis the Tuskegee
dard practice at the time," few other
even back in 1974 - seems far-
experiment - save for Dr. Foster's
doctors have provided even a
fetched. Yes, it was legal. As for rep-
race. The conclusion is obvious: A
grudging endorsement. And none
resenting "mainstream" medical
white Henry Foster - if, somehow,
excuse Dr. Foster's failure to secure
practice, the federal government
nominated - would long ago have
proxy consent.
doesn't generally ban the expendi-
been forced to withdraw.
Here, too, it's safe to say that if
ture of public monies on widely
At the risk of employing an
Henry Foster were white and had
accepted medical procedures.
overused term, the double standard
sterilized retarded black women
Those who are unsure about
here reeks of racism.
without securing consent from any
whether, in ordinary circum-
quarter, the notion that he might be
stances, a nomination akin to this
confirmed as surgeon general
one would succeed can easily test
Eric Breindel is the New York
would be considered preposterous.
the proposition: Assume that all the
Post's editorial editor and a syndi-
The suggestion that involuntary
facts remain the same - the abor-
cated columnist.
63
THE GREEN SHEET
Who Is Henry Foster?
T DEPENDS which day you ask. First the White
I
House trumpeted the "fact" that Dr. Foster, its
nominee for the post of Surgeon General, had per-
formed only one abortion. (This is the same White
House that says abortions shouldn't matter anyway,
since they're perfectly legal.) The figure was quickly
bumped up to fewer than 12-Dr. Foster's estimate at
the time. Then a transcript surfaced in which a Dr.
Henry Foster took credit for seven hundred abortions
and amniocenteses. Dr. Foster denied that his name-
sake was himself but allowed that, as one hospital's
records show, he did perform at least 39 abortions.
Then an article by Dr. Foster in a medical journal
turned up, describing his supervision of 59 abortions
by an experimental vaginal suppository. Dr. Foster
says he "abhors" abortion and got involved with the
suppository experiment only to maintain the accredita-
tion of a residency program, which in any event lost its
accreditation. As yet, nobody has explained why an ac-
creditation council would require that a hospital exper-
iment with pill-induced abortions.
Then another article was discovered in which Dr.
Foster discussed involuntary hysterectomies he had
performed on retarded women. This last, says White
House official John Podesta, was "consistent with med-
ical theory and practice at the time"-like the tortures
inflicted on George III in The Madness of King George.
Who knows what other milestones of Dr. Foster's ca-
reer as a "baby doctor," as Joycelyn Elders likes to call
him, will turn up next?
At church on Sunday in Nashville, Dr. Foster heard
a pastor denounce his treatment as "a high-tech lynch-
ing"-a reference to Clarence Thomas. But Thomas
was persecuted on the basis of hearsay. Doubts about
Dr. Foster's ethics and honesty arise from Nexis. Presi-
dent Clinton pooh-poohs such concerns, especially as
they touch on abortion.
Of late, the post of Surgeon General has been turned
into a forum for mischief, which is one reason for can-
ning the job altogether. In theory, though, it's sup-
posed to be a position of moral authority through
which an outstanding physician may influence his col-
leagues for the good. That's why Americans, who
worry about medical ethics and abortion in particular,
are worried about Henry Foster. Even the ones who fa-
vor abortion "rights" are made queasy by the thought
of it, which is why they insist on talking in euphem-
isms (e.g., "choice"). The senators who will vote on Dr.
Foster's confirmation represent those worried Ameri-
cans, and should vote accordingly.
NATIONAL REVIEW / MARCH 6, 1995
THE GREEN SHEET
62
NEW THE REPUBLIC
MARCH 6, 1995
A VOTE FOR FOSTER
To the White House spin doctors searching for a new
a dozen or so abortions, a number revealed to be too
surgeon general, Dr. Henry Foster, a moderate black
low by a factor of three. (He also directed a small study
physician who opposes condom distribution and
of an abortion-inducing drug, and sterilized severely
preaches a "just say no" approach on teen pregnancy,
retarded women at a time when this was accepted prac-
seemed just the nominee to counter the Republican
tice.) This "mistake" would be more forgivable if it had
tide-and make everyone forget about Joycelyn Elders.
not come in the same press release in which Foster
Instead, Foster's inadequately vetted nomination has
claimed, preposterously, that all these procedures "were
turned into another in a seemingly endless series of
primarily to save the lives of the women or because the
White House disasters. Now that Foster is under attack
women had been the victims of rape or incest."
from the religious right for having performed abor-
Still, Foster is no sinister liar, much less someone
tions, and then being inaccurate about how many he
whose "lack of candor about his abortion record dis-
performed, we are tempted to say the fiasco serves the
qualifies him from serious consideration," as The New
White House operatives right.
York Times intoned. Rather, his equivocations and errors
But at least the White House's calculations amounted
of recollection strike us as about par for the nomination
to an attempt, albeit transparent, to reach out beyond
game as it is played these days. Besides, abortion, not
the Democratic Party's liberal base. The attack on Fos-
Foster's "credibility," is the real issue. Either abortion is
ter, by contrast, emanates from the most intolerant wing
murder, in which case one is too many, or abortion is an
of the American right. And the Republicans are exploit-
often needed, if regrettable, procedure that should be
ing this fervor—rather than acknowledging that Foster
legally and safely available. On this basic question, Fos-
has broken no laws, or that his approach to contracep-
ter has been far more candid about his beliefs than
tion and teen pregnancy largely mirrors their own (one
some Republicans who have been expressing doubts
reason George Bush made Foster's "I Have a Future"
about him-Bob Dole, to name one.
program a Point of Light). The Republicans, not the
He's also more forthright than many pro-choicers.
president, are playing the politics of polarization. Clin-
He savs he "abhors" abortion and considers per-
ton was right to dispense with the mealy-mouthed
forming one a sign of "failure." For this, he has
pseudo-endorsements that he offered following the
been awarded the opprobrium of a group
right-wing attacks; they were all too characteristic of his
called the National Coalition of Abortion
indecision and invited further trouble. Now, Clinton
Providers, which brooks no acknowledgment
should stick to his nominee.
of the real distress involved in having, or
We say this out of no great enthusiasm for Foster. He
administering, an abortion. But Foster's ambiva-
seems to be a decent community-minded doctor with
lence reflects an understandable, utterly main-
good intentions, diplomatic skills, modest managerial
stream, American view: that an abortion is a wrenching
ability-and not much else. (Meharry Medical College
decision, albeit one that can't always be avoided; it is
apparently decided not to promote him to permanent
not murder; it should be legal.
president shortly before Clinton plucked him from
obscurity.) His attempt to medicalize the issue of teen
If the Clinton administration cannot successfully
defend this position, then it has truly lost all political
pregnancy is corrosive. Pregnancy is a medical event;
effectiveness. Foster is a decent figure, sane on abor-
teen pregnancy, especially among poor inner-city black
tion, responsible on teen pregnancy, someone who
women, is not a medical question. It is a social and
opposes-to our mind, wrongly-condom distribution
political issue. If the administration wants to turn the
in schools. If a nominee this moderate cannot be con-
surgeon general's job into a bully pulpit for a real pub-
firmed, who can be? If he goes down, the extreme reli-
lic health issue, it should be AIDS.
Then there is Foster's White House-aided fine-tuning
gious right will have won the privilege of nominating
this country's surgeon general. It should be denied that
of his record. He first "guessed" that he performed only
privilege, for everyone's sake.
MARCH 6, 1995 THE NEW REPUBLIC
46
THE GREEN SHEET
Montgomery Advertiser AL 3/05/95
Bigger Question
-Did Foster Know Of Tuskegee Study?
MANY QUESTIONS HAVE been raised since Dr. Henry
Foster Jr. was nominated to be U.S. surgeon general, but none
looms larger than the one about his knowledge of the infamous
Tuskegee Project, a callous, indefensible experiment in which
poor black Alabama men with syphilis were left untreated while
the progress of the disease was observed.
Dr. Foster. who practiced in Macon County from 1965-73,
says he knew nothing about the project until the rest of the
world learned of it in 1972, at which time he roundly de-
nounced it.
However. a former colleague disputes that, claiming that the
Macon County Medical Society, of which he and Foster were
officers. was told of the experiment in 1969, and that Foster was
at the meeting when the project was revealed.
If Foster is right. there seems little reason not to confirm him
for the surgeon general's post. In addition to a medical career
that includes both practice and teaching, Foster also instituted a
commendable program to combat teen pregnancy.
(But if Dr. Luther McRae is right, and Foster did know of the
Tuskegee Project before it was exposed to a nation rightly ap-
palled by it. his confirmation would be hard to justify. Nothing
- nothing - can defend allowing using poor, ill-educated, un-
sophisticated men like so many lab rats.
Foster. of course, had no role in the creation of the four-dec-
ade-long experiment. However, if he could have blown the
whistle on this ghastly undertaking prior to its revelation in
1972 and did not, he has a lot to answer for.
so FAR, NO ONE has come forward to support McRae's
version of events. If no one does, Foster deserves the benefit of
the doubt. Records of the medical society meetings evidently
have been lost, leaving no documentation of the 1969 meeting.
Still. the question nags, more than any of the other questions
about abortions or sterilization procedures that Foster per-
formed. The abortion debate rages, but the fact is that the proce-
dure is and was legal. The sterilizations of mentally retarded
women were accepted medical practice at the time.
The Tuskegee Project question is much bigger. A key public
health official job will be far more difficult with so dark a cloud
hanging over him.
THE GREEN SHEET
55
Balt. Sun; 3-5-95
SHOULD DR. FOSTER BE CONFIRMED?
NO: Pregnant Women Need Support,
Solutions, Not a Deadly Quick Fix
By FREDERICA MATHEWES-GREEN
T
he invitation to write an es-
tal field should not be excluded
say opposing the nomination
from the surgeon general's role. But
of Henry Foster for surgeon
is abortion so routinely practiced
general came while I was traveling:
that Dr. Foster's defeat would mean
I saved the message on my machine
the defeat of all OB/GYNs?
and considered what. really. were
When I checked for new phone
my objections. Three convictions
messages, I was surprised to hear
came to mind: that abortion takes a
the cheery Panamanian accent of
human Itfe, and is therefore the op-
Dr. Marion Smith-Waison. my own
posite of health: that pregnant
OB/GYN, whose office is in Colum-
women need support and solutions,
bia. When I returned her call. I
not a quick fix that kills their chil-
asked about the prevalence of abor-
dren and breaks their hearts: and
tion. There were four of us in my
that this issue is so bitterly divisive
residency program. and three re-
that such a nomination pours salt
fused to do abortions," she said. "If
into an unhealed wound.
It's a matter of learning to handle a
All these beliefs were hard-won.
suction aspiration machine fused in
I moved from a pro-choice to a
most abortions). there are plenty of
pro-life position years ago, when I
opportunities with miscarriages.
read a description of an abortion
There is no need to do elective abor-
and could not avoid seeing the
tions."
bloody hand of violence once again
There must be a great many
disguised as "progress." But in the
OB/GYNs like Dr. Smith-Waison
pro-life movement I constantly
who refuse to do abortions -
called my colleagues to see, not just
aren't we always hearing about the
the baby, but the woman whose
growing shortage of abortion doc-
flesh surrounds that child. a wom-
tors, that 85 percent of America's
an often frightened and alone. A
counties don't even have one?
year of listening to
Why would you
women who had
oppose the Foster
abortions and re-
nomination? I
searching the rea-
sons for that
The issue is, 'Did
asked my doctor,
and she gave a
choice culminated
I deliberately
heated reply: "He
last fall in my book
take a life?'
says 'I only did 12
"Real Choices."
abortions. or 39'
Lastly. the dis-
cord between
MARION SMITH-WAISON
but that is not the
Columbia OB/GYN
Issue. The issue is,
pro-life and pro-
'Did I deliberately
choice troubles
take a life? If he
me, perhaps be-
[Dr. Foster] can't
cause I know the sincerity on both
see the difference between taking a
sides. In order to increase commu-
life and preserving life. I can't trust
nication and decrease hostility. I co-
him with my cancer patients, or old
founded "Common Ground of the
persons or paraplegies. Why don't
Nation's Capital," a group aimed at
we just annihilate all imperfect peo-
bringing pro-life and pro-choice ad-
ple? The hypocrisy!"
vocates together for a meaningful
My doctor had called to enlist my
dialogue. The nomination of Henry
prayers for a patient pregnant in a
Foster has had the opposite effect:
difficult situation. "I always tell
It is a slap in the face of those who
them. you'll be glad If you do the
believe abortion is wrong.
right thing. Sometimes they tell
But one aspect of opposing the
me," and here Dr. Smith-Waison
nomination concerned me: Would
mimicked an exasperated tone. "All
this mean no obstetrician-gynecolo-
right. Tm having this baby just for
gist could hold the post? My grand-
you!" She laughed. "And I say.
father was an obstetrician and his
'Praise the Lord!' You know. by the
1917 textbook impressed on me the
time the baby is born they are so
debt women owe for advances in
happy!"
that field: Just 80 years ago grand-
A baby brings problems. but
dad was taught that 10 percent of
lighter than the eternal stone abor-
his Caesarean-section patients
tion leaves in a conscience. Dr.
would die. Doctors in this vi-
Smith-Waison has seen both re-
sults. and with her prayers. coun-
Frederica Mathewes-Green is the
sel. and support. a woman can find
communications director for the
the courage to choose life for her
National Women's Coalition for
child. A dead baby is not good medi-
Life and author of "Real Choices,"
cine. My doctor knows that.
a book about the abortion issue.
Shouldn't the surgeon general?
CHARLES E.WILLIAMS
Wash. Afro-American; 3-4-95
SAYS
Foster foes are not 'fringe groups'
The stinging lead editorial (AFRO, Feb.
one million teenagers got pregnant each year
of abortion, including the president, who
perhaps true of Hispanics and Appalachians,
president-elect of the American College of
8) unfairly labels legitimate opponents of the
in the 1990's. This, of course, costs $34
insists that abortion should be "rare"; Dr. C.
although they tend to marry at an early age.
Surgeons, whose nomination would sail
oster nomination as "fringe groups," zealous
billion a year in welfare payments.
Everett Koop, an arch foe of abortion - who
The Virgin Mary was only 14 when she
through confirmation without a murmur.
right-to-lifers," and fanatic "abortion foes"
Nevertheless, he says "responsibility to deter
believes that a pregnant woman infected with
delivered her first-born.
Dr. Foster's nomination, when made, was
ho are using the "issue of abortion as a
conduct that causes teen pregnancy -
the AIDS virus should have the option of
I recall that every Southern state attorney
regarded as safe.
tmus test of an individual's fitness for
promiscuity, alcohol or drug use, failure to use
abortion - and Dr. Foster, who says he finds
general who filed a brief in the Brown V.
But the initial lack of candor shown by Dr.
ffice." It urges the president not to "buckle
a condom, lack of a loving family, lack of
abortion "abhorrent" and favors sexual
Board of Education case relied on Black
Foster and the White House about his abortion
nder" the pressure of these groups but to
hope - rests not with the U.S. Surgeon
abstinence.
immorality - the fact that Negro pupils
record may alone be reason enough for the
ally support the nomination of the
General, federal bureaucrats and politicians
Abortion is so distasteful that its advocates
became sexually active before White pupils
Senate to reject the nomination.
supremely qualified" Dr. Henry W. Foster
but with parents, in the first instance, as well
choose to be seen as pro-choice rather than
and the higher rate of teenage pregnancy - as
Senator Dole's call for withdrawal of the
for U.S. Surgeon General.
as with teachers, social workers, clergy and
pro-abortion. Catholic, Baptist and Adventist
an important reason against court-imposed
nomination if it appears likely to be defeated
The AFRO misses the point. Dr. Foster's
those who set the moral standards and mores
hospitals as well as between 15 and 25 percent
desegregation of the public schools. Under
strongly suggests that he and others on both
salification is not the issue. Opposition to
of our times."
of obstetrician-gynecologists will not, on
today's standard of political correctness, it
sides of the aisle would rather avoid a vote
is appointment arises out of the genuine
By medicalizing leenage pregnancy -
principle, perform abortions.
sometimes appears that it is moral to abort the
that could be seen as a referendum on
istaste for abortion, even though legal, and
which the president has done by his
Charles Krauthammer correctly observes
fetus but immoral to carry the pregnancy to
abortion.
C president's dogged determination to make
nominations of Dr. Elders and Dr. Foster -
that those troubled by Dr. Foster's abortion
term.
Under the circumstances, one wonders why
on pregnancy-and its prevention with
Mr. Califano says that we have "trivialized the
history are not just religious zealots and
In the wake of the midterm elections in
Dr. Foster has ostensibly agreed to be a
ondoms and abortion-federal public health
complexity of the solutions. Moreover,
antiabortion fanatics. The fuss is about the
which a number of pro-choice legislators were
willing tool in the president's obvious
sues. These are plainly moral issues to be
dumping the issue on the surgeon general
political wisdom of the nomination. The
replaced with right-to-lifers, the president
calculated effort to drive a wedge in
call with on the local level by the family, the
ignores the lessons of the past 20 years and is
morality of abortion is the issue. The
nevertheless persists in pushing the rejected
Republican ranks with an unwanted divisive
nurch and the community.
doomed to fail."
nomination serves as the ready vehicle for
Joycelyn Elders' public health program to the
abortion debate.
Joseph Califano, President Carter's
As to abortion generally, in 1995, elective
public debate of the issue: "Let it not be
chagrin of Democratic Party leaders who
ecretary of Health, Education and Welfare,
abortion is both accepted policy and law of the
criminalized but stigmatized."
would rather avoid the issue.
Charles E. Williams lives in Washington,
ointed out recently that one million teenagers
land. But many Americans are still
Traditionally, pregnant Black teens opt to
For surgeon general, they would perhaps
D.C.
X pregnant each year during the 1970's and
uncomfortable about the widespread practice
have the baby despite the stigma. The same is
prefer a cancer expert like LaSalle Leffall,
JOHN LEO
Donna Shalaia and her staff don [
Conege
seem to know any of these people,
Gynecologists, estimates that
Wash. Times; 3-2-95
they think what everyone in their
more than half of the group's
circle thinks: Abortion is a non-
35,000 members have performed
issue now.
Foster
abortions in the past, but only a
This is a bit like the embarrass-
third are doing abortions now.
ment suffered by The Washington
That would be roughly 5,000 OB-
Post when it failed to notice a huge
GYNs who have stopped doing
anti-abortion rally a few blocks
abortions. Some are older doctors
furor
away because nobody on staff
with patients past their childbear-
seemed to know anyone who
ing years. But these older doctors
planned to attend. In some tight lit-
are not being replaced by younger
tle circles, it takes a huge act of
ones as eager to do abortions. Is
bears a
imagination to notice what the rest
this because they are all terrified
of America thinks.
of anti-abortion violence, or is the
The public's resistance to Dr.
shame of performing this opera-
Foster is based on a very simple
tion beginning to take a heavier
reminder
premise: that an administration
toll?
stacks the deck in favor of abortion
The current effort by pro-
when it names an abortionist to a
choicers to force medical students
job known primarily for its moral
to learn how to perform abortions
preaching.
is a way of saying that the money to
he nomination of Dr. Henry
T
This reaction has been obscured,
be made in performing abortions is
Foster is the best news in
in part, by Dr. Foster's apparent
not drawing enough doctors into
years for people who
inability to come clean on the num-
the field.
oppose abortion on moral
ber of abortions he has performed,
Anti-abortion forces would be
grounds. To the amazement of both
and by the news that he performed
better off abandoning harassment
sides of this long dispute, it has
some other ethically dubious oper-
at the clinics and the futile efforts
revealed that a great many Amer-
ations before 1974: the sterilization
to get an anti-abortion amendment
icans really don't think an abortion
of four healthy but mentally retard-
or Supreme Court ruling. What we
practitioner ought to be surgeon
ed women.
need is steady moral pressure, built
general.
But this has just reinforced the
around stigma, to reduce the num-
Especially since C. Everett Koop
strong feelings about Dr. Foster: It
ber of abortions and to depict abor-
served in this office, it has become
has associated abortion with
tion as a primitive form of violence
clear that the main function of the
furtiveness, evasiveness, and an
that society will eventually outgrow,
apparently casual attitude about
just as it outgrew infanticide and
involuntary sterilization.
slavery.
The public's resistance
Dr. Foster is not going to be sur-
This would mean no state funds
geon general, but his nomination
at all for abortion, and no more
to Dr. Foster is based
has accomplished two things: It
state-supported abortion festivals
assures us that the next surgeon
like the population conference in
on a very simple
general will be someone who has no
Cairo. The state would have to stay
premise: that an
record of performing abortions,
totally neutral, and not pretend, as
and it opens the door to the use of
it did in the foolish Foster nomina-
administration stacks
stigma as an organized anti-abor-
tion, that the issue is somehow
tion tactic.
behind us.
the deck in favor of
Stigma doesn't get very good
press in America. The left keeps
abortion when it
insisting it is an attempt by the pow-
John Leo is a contributing edi-
names an abortionist
erful to assail the behavior of the
tor of U.S.News & World Report
powerless. But the left conducts
and a nationally syndicated
to a job known
stigma campaigns of its own all the
columnist.
time - against smoking tobacco
primarily for its moral
and wearing wearing fur, for exam-
ple. We are on the brink of a broad
preaching.
effort to restigmatize easy divorce
and the intentional bearing of chil-
dren out of wedlock. Why not a
campaign to stigmatize something
office of surgeon general is moral
even more dubious: solving a prob-
exhortation. On the basis of popu-
lem by killing a developing form of
lar reaction to this nominee, the
human life?
nation wants its medical preaching
Some anti-abortion activists have
done by someone who comes to the
been pursuing a stigma policy by
job with cleaner hands than Henry
publicizing the names of abortion
Foster.
doctors. Nothing wrong with that,
Proponents of abortion have
unless the effort veers over into the
been blindsided by this, largely
harassment of families and threats
because they came to believe
against doctors' lives. It's probably
their own press releases that only
true that many doctors have
a tiny fringe of "out of the main-
stopped performing abortions out
stream," "anti-choice" zealots still
of fear of quasi-terrorist tactics
resist the hardening pro-abortion
against them. But many more doc-
consensus.
tors are shying away because of the
What the pro-choicers rarely
stigma.
acknowledge is that the nation is
The truth is that abortion is gen-
much more troubled than that
erating a generally bad odor in
about abortion. Depending on how
the medical profession, in large
the pollsters frame their ques-
part because doctors understand
tions, up to 75 percent of Ameri-
very well that it is a morally dubi-
cans have moral objections to
ous procedure. Dr. Ralph Hale,
abortion on demand. Because
executive director of the American
USA Today; 3-1-95
Do we need a surgeon general?
We don't. Health and Human
The American Lung Association can tell us
not to smoke.
Services makes job redundant.
If we want to stop smoking, perhaps we
could do something really radical and stop
As Washington ponders exactly how many
subsidizing tobacco farmers. Instead, we pay
abortions and hysterectomies Dr. Henry Fos-
people to grow tobacco and then pay the sur-
ter performed during his medical career, or
geon general to tell us to stop.
whether he knew about a syphilis study in
Moreover, the government's involvement
1969, an important question comes to mind:
turns all these health questions into political
Do we need a surgeon general?
ones. That's why everyone is so interested in
No. We don't
Foster's record on abortion, or former sur-
You wouldn't know it from all the brouha-
geon general Joycelyn Elders' opinion on
ha, but the surgeon general really doesn't do
masturbation. Both the left and the right want
very much.
access to a government-funded microphone.
The office was original-
Today, the Clinton administration wants to
ly established in the 19th
lecture us on safe sex. Tomorrow, a different
century to ensure medical
administration may want to lecture us on ab-
care for the Navy.
stinence.
For years, surgeons gen-
We shouldn't be forced to pay for either
eral labored in quiet obscu-
one.
rity until C. Everett Koop
It's not that these are not all important is-
dragged the old Navy-style
sues - and I would love to see healthier
uniforms out of mothballs
Americans.
and discovered television.
By Michael
But this is a government that has enough
Nowadays, the surgeon
Tanner, direc-
problems trying to deliver the mail. Being the
general is little more than
tor of health
nanny for 260 million Americans seems a lit-
the national nanny, nag-
and welfare
tle beyond its ability.
ging us to stop smoking,
studies at the
If constitutional considerations are not
lose weight, exercise more
Cato Institute
enough to eliminate this office, perhaps bud-
and never go out without a
in Washing-
getary ones are.
condom.
ton, D.C.
Congress is currently searching for ways to
Flip through a copy of
cut spending and balance the budget. The
the Constitution, and you won't find the autho-
surgeon general's office is relatively inexpen-
rization for the federal government to take
sive as federal bureaucracies go - roughly
the taxpayers' money to establish an office to
$1 million a year. But a million here, a mil-
tell us how we should live our lives.
lion there, and pretty soon you have real
There are plenty of private groups that are
money.
fully capable of instructing us on how to be
The surgeon general does oversee the Pub-
healthy, wealthy and wise without the gov-
lic Health Service. But we already have a De-
ernment getting involved.
partment of Health and Human Services that
Alcoholics Anonymous can preach sobri-
is supposed to be running the government's
ety.
health-care programs.
The American Medical Association can
Why not let HHS take over any useful func-
lecture the couch potatoes on the benefits of
tions of the Public Health Service and dump
losing weight and exercising more.
the rest, including the surgeon general?
Planned Parenthood and the Family Re-
If the surgeon general disappeared tomor-
search Council can fight it out over when and
row, no one in America would notice - ex-
how we should have sex.
cept for the peace and quiet.
Wash. Post; 3-1-95
Dr. Foster and the Syphilis Study
T
HE WHITE HOUSE last night formally sent
researchers could study the disease's progress. After
the nomination of Henry W. Foster Jr. for the
penicillin was introduced in the 1940s and accepted as
surgeon general's post to the Senate. In the
an effective treatment for syphilis 10 years later, the
short time since he was announced as President
Public Health Service should have urged treatment on
Clinton's choice, Dr. Foster has been subjected to a
the syphilitic men. Instead, in the name of science,
torrent of criticism, not only because he has per-
researchers allowed the suffering to go on until the
formed abortions in the past but also for the clumsy
men died.
way in which he and the White House made known
From the day the study was launched in 1932, it
the activity. The episode did little to boost either Dr.
was morally indefensible. Researchers who had no
Foster's or the administration's credibility. Still, de-
qualms then certainly were entertaining doubts in the
spite our own misgivings about the significance of the
1960s. Unfortunately, the doubts were not enough to
office, we have encountered little about Dr. Foster's
stop them. Instead, in May 1969, the Public Health
38-year career as a physician, academic administrator
Service sought to bring the local Macon County
and pioneer in teen pregnancy-prevention programs
medical society into the picture on the study as a
that would weigh decisively against his confirmation.
shield against criticism. Dr. Foster was vice president
Recently, however, Dr. Foster's name has become
of the society at the time. Following a meeting with
linked to the infamous 40-year Tuskegee experiment
the medical society, the federal researchers left
in which hundreds of black men with syphilis were
thinking they had the society's endorsement to keep
deliberately left untreated in the name of medical
the study going. Dr. Foster unequivocally states that
research. At issue is what and when Dr. Foster knew
he was not in attendance, that he was not informed
about the study before it was publicly exposed in
until 1972 through news accounts, at which time he
1972. We hope the answer is, as Dr. Foster and the
demanded the study be halted and the patients
White House maintain, that he was not informed
treated. His recollection, however, is at odds with that
about the study until the story broke. To have known
of Luther C. McRae, president of the medical society
earlier and not insisted on proper treatment for the
in 1969, who maintains that Dr. Foster was in fact
innocent patients would disqualify any candidate for
present at the 1969 meeting and knew that curative
the surgeon general's post.
treatment was being withheld.
The Tuskegee syphilis study, conducted by the
Memories of some participants have dimmed or are
U.S. Public Health Service in Macon County, Ala.,
inconclusive. Other participants have died, and min-
Was a terrible case of cruelty in science. Hundreds of
utes have been lost. No doubt this is a difficult matter
black men with syphilis were misled by the govern-
to resolve. But it is crucial to pin down when Dr.
ment into thinking they were being treated for the
Foster learned about the study. The question of his
disease, when in fact help was being withheld so
fitness for the job hangs on it.
MONA CHAREN
Wash. Times; 2-28-95
r. Henry Foster, President
New cloud
received only painful spinal taps (to
Tuskegee Institute - the medical
president of the Macon County
D
Clinton's nominee for sur-
measure the effects of the disease
hub of the experiment during the
Medical Society, expressed a desire
geon general, is heading
on the nervous system). Their
1960s. He was also the vice presi-
to help the subjects of the experi-
into a new firestorm that
symptoms were noted and record-
dent and later president of the
ment in any way possible. But he
may overwhelm his earlier skir-
mishes over abortion and involun-
adrift over
ed and simple burials provided
Macon County Medical Society.
made no reference to the meeting,
when the disease had run its
According to the book "Bad
three years earlier, at which the
tary sterilizations.
course.
Blood: The Tuskegee Syphilis
society had pledged its cooperation
Investigators from news organi-
In 1972, when the truth about
Experiment" by Professor James
with the experiment.
zations, private groups and the
Foster
the study came to light, the public
H. Jones of the University of Hous-
Dr. Foster has told friends that he
White House itself are right now
outrage was enormous. Senate
ton, the Macon County Medical
was not present at the 1969 meeting
combing the files of the Macon
hearings in 1973 (chaired by Sen.
Society was fully briefed about the
detailed in "Bad Blood." But even if
County, Ala., Medical Society in
Ted Kennedy) led to passage of the
Tuskegee Experiment in May 1969,
that is true, was he not informed
search of records that will shed
National Research Act, which cod-
three years before the experiment
about it later? How often does a
light on the role Dr. Foster played
experiments were not told the
ified strict rules about informed
came to public light. Two Public
small county medical group get a
in the infamous Tuskegee Experi-
nature of the study and were mis-
consent.
Health Service doctors, Leslie
visit from the Public Health Ser-
ment.
led into thinking that they were
Dr. Henry Foster was a professor
Norins and Alfonso H. Holguin,
vice? Did the vice president of the
The Tuskegee Experiment was
being treated. In truth, they
of obstetrics and gynecology at the
"explained the experiment in detail
society not keep abreast of what
among the darkest episodes in
to the society's members
[who]
happened at meetings he couldn't
American medical history. Begun
[(um) THAT was
listened attentively and
volun-
attend? Would the group's vice pres-
in the 1930s by the United States
THE LAST ONE, DR FOSTER
teered cooperation and approval
ident be kept in the dark about
Public Health Service, the experi-
and support."
something so important? Didn't
ment started as an effort to study
Indeed, according to "Bad
simple gossip among the small
the epidemiology of syphilis. Poor,
Blood," the doctors were cautioned
group virtually ensure that Dr. Fos-
black men from the rural areas of
against treating any of the men in
ter would have heard about it?
Alabama surrounding the Tuskegee
Institute were recruited for the
SURGEON
the study with antibiotics, lest they
It was difficult to credit Dr. Fos-
disturb the experiment. The Macon
ter's early claim that he had per-
research.
GENERAL
County Medical Society, 14 of
formed fewer than a dozen abor-
At first, the study proceeded like
whose 15 members were black,
tions and all had been in cases of
any other medical research. But in
CONFIRMATION
agreed to withhold treatment and
rape, incest or life of the mother.
the 1940s, it took a sinister turn
asked for a list of names of the men
That statement turned out to be, in
when penicillin became available to
treat syphilis. In a decision that
CAUTION-MINEFIELD
in the study. Lists were provided to
the old Watergate phrase, inopera-
each physician.
tive. If Dr. Foster now pleads igno-
defies understanding, the physi-
In 1972, when the experiment
rance about Tuskegee, he may find
cians and medical researchers who
had become a national scandal
his nomination "ambushed at cred-
ran the Tuskegee Experiment
(though somewhat eclipsed by the
ibility gap."
decided not to treat 400 of the men
news of Thomas Eagleton's with-
in their cohort but simply continued
Haune
drawal as George McGovern's run-
to monitor the effects of the disease
ning mate, which broke on the same
Mona Charen is a nationally syn-
over the years. The subjects of the
day), Dr. Henry Foster, by then the
dicated columnist.
The Nation. February 27, 1995
Regarding Henry
n attacking the nomination of Henry Foster as Surgeon
I
General, the anti-privacy, anti-sex right is trying to turn
into a matter of shame what should be a matter of pride:
the fact that Foster could perform legal, safe abortions.
Twice ratified by the Supreme Court as a civil right, abortion
is now being put forth as a dirty secret.
Whether Foster performed thirty-nine abortions or 39,000
is beside the point. What Foster's critics are really upset about
is his involvement with Planned Parenthood and his advocacy
of common-sense, reality-tested programs for sexually active
teenagers. Sex ed! Diaphragms! Condoms! Abortion is just
a sideshow to this bigger circus.
Still, it was not the right but the press that really made Fos-
ter's confirmation an issue by playing up the attack of polit-
ically marginal sex cops like the Family Research Council.
And once again the perpetually self-destructive White House
shares some blame. By firing Joycelyn Elders, Clinton showed
how easily he can be intimidated; and when the attack hit Fos-
ter, presidential spokesman Michael McCurry at first issued
a fainthearted statement suggesting, by omission, that abor-
tion was something the President would rather not discuss
frankly. Foster himself, whether following conviction or the
advice of handlers, describes abortion as something to abhor.
Clinton did finally come to Foster's defense. But by acqui-
escing in the terms of the right's attack, the Administration
strengthens those who would drive abortion back into the
closet, of the new McCarthyites who would administer a sex-
ually correct loyalty oath to presidential appointees.
February 27, 1995
The Nation.
265
SUBJECT TO DEBATE.
KATHA POLLITT
Dear President Clinton,
join on ordinary (especially female) citizens. Deadbeat dads,
I understand that Dr. Henry W. Foster, your nominee for
like Newt Gingrich. Decline-of-the-family handwringers, like
Surgeon General, is running into heavy water because, despite
Charles Murray and Messrs. Klein and Will, all on their second
his devotion to chastity and abstinence, he performed an
round of wives and kids. A little research (get those gossip-
as-yet-to-be-determined number of abortions-more, at any
columnist friends of Hillary on the case) should turn up
rate, than the one your people are saying he originally ac-
mounds of dirt on conservatives who have a high old time
knowledged. I don't want to be too critical, or Michael Kazin
while telling teens to just say no. Tell these creeps that if they
and Maurice Isserman will say it's my fault if Newt Gingrich
don't go all out for serious new funding for sex ed, contra-
takes your job, but honestly, what were you thinking? To a
ception and abortion, their wives and girlfriends will go on
pro-lifer, saying Dr. Foster only performed one abortion is
Oprah and tell all.
like saying John Wilkes Booth only killed one President.
Law-abidingness. "Values conservatives" portray pregnant
You should just come right out and say that abortion is
girls as the equivalent of muggers and drug dealers. Actually
legal, and that's the way the voters want it, and if the Repub-
many of them are victims of crime: rape, molestation, incest,
licans have a problem with that maybe they'd like to have
adults having sex with minors, domestic violence and child
another referendum on abortion disguised as a presidential
neglect and abuse. So, get the victims' rights movement in-
election in 1996.
volved, and watch public sympathy for them soar.
But I digress. My point is, that if Dr. Foster goes to Glouces-
Free-market economics. How come grown-ups can watch
ter you'll be needing a leader for your big campaign against
porn to their heart's content in upscale hotel rooms and buy
teen pregnancy, and I would like
vibrators and bondage paraphernalia at the mini-mall, but
to propose someone: myself. I
the vast teen market for sex information, birth control and
became inspired with this idea
abortion services remains artificially stunted-despite tre-
when you identified teen preg-
mendous demand-side potential-by a small band of religious
nancy as the major cause of the
fanatics? Talk about the dead hand of regulation! The stuff
nation's problems. Some people
is legal, so what's the problem? Bring on the advertising, the
said that was silly, and even sex-
mass marketing, the niche positioning, the outreach cam-
ist, but I was relieved. What if
paigning-and let the consumer decide.
you had declared that the cause
Expertise. More than half of all pregnancies are unplanned;
of our problems was something
millions of women have had abortions; millions are raising
uncontrollable, like the global
children alone. Who knows why? Women do! Call for a nation-
wide women's speakout on sex-also shyness, embarrassment,
economy, or incomprehensible,
like Alan Greenspan's mind?
desire, fear, loneliness, rebelliousness, curiosity, longing, emo-
tional and economic dependency, violence, coercion, love,
Then I would not have been able to help you. But most in-
naïveté, ignorance, depression, anger and all levels of self-
dustrialized nations have teen pregnancy pretty much figured
esteem. What would it take for girls to avoid pregnancy?
out already. (I'm sure you know that the teen-pregnancy rate
Don't ask the Heritage Foundation or Newsweek. What do
in America is more than double that of the next-highest West-
they know? Ask the girls.
ern developed nation, New Zealand, and almost ten times
Tough-mindedness. "Values conservatives" think they're
higher than in the Netherlands, but did you ever stop to
hard-nosed because they want to revive shame, disapproval,
wonder why that is? Hint: not more sex over here.) It shouldn't
punishment, stigma. Of course, this is really the wimp posi-
be so hard for us to get a handle on it.
tion: What's easier than feeling superior to others? You,
Why make me the Surgeon General? True, I'm not a sur-
Mr. President, can be the real macho man here. Announce
geon (or a general), but that's all to the good. Talking about
that the results are in: A liberal sexual ethos, plus a more even
teen pregnancy in an open, calm, physicianly way-as if it
distribution of social resources (the Western European ap-
were a health matter-is what got your previous S.G., Joyce-
proach) means less teen pregnancy, while a Puritanical sexu-
lyn Elders, into hot water. No, as you often say, teen pregnancy
al ethos plus immense income differentials and little social
is a values issue. And since these days the values experts are
funding (the U.S. approach) means more teen pregnancy. Call
opinion journalists, I am in exactly the right line of work for
on the American people to bite the bullet and adopt the
the job. Moreover, I've been a teenage girl and I've been preg-
successful strategy of our European friends.
nant, although not at the same time. Can Joe Klein or George
Expensive? You bet. But if teen pregnancy is, as you claim,
Will say the same?
the root of all evil, what price is too high? As all the free-
My Anti-Teen Pregnancy Initiative rests on bedrock Amer-
marketeers like to say, people find the money for the things
ican values:
they really want. You, for example, just found $20 billion to
Honesty. Perhaps because of your own, um, lapses, you
help out the peso. You are serious about the teen-pregnancy
haven't fully exploited the sexual hypocrisy theme against
thing, aren't you?
your foes. Big mistake. It's amazing how few "values conser-
If I'm out when you call, just leave a message on the
vatives" follow the sober deferred-gratification path they en-
machine.
ON POLITICS
BY GLORIA BORGER
Looking out for No. 1
S
ince the White House tripped itself coming out of
natorial chief of staff, is the most obvious example: "He
the starting gate, maybe there is some consolation in
[Clinton] was going through a severe midlife crisis
the news that the nomination of Henry Foster to be
having a serious affair and not even being discrect
surgeon general might be salvaged. Bill Clinton has taken a
about it. Everyone knew. she said. She knew. the troopers
stand against the "extremists" who would deny Foster the
knew, Hillary knew." Less eye popping. but just as telling.
job simply because he has performed abortions. Divided
is a story of Clinton's propensity to blame others. In 1981.
Republicans are tied in knots over how hard to pursue the
Clinton staffer Rudy Moore listened as the defeated gov-
abortion issue. And players at both the White House and
ernor publicly blamed his staff for his first-term mistakes.
the Department of Health and Human Services-all of
"I'm getting the feeling that for his own well-being the
whom researched the Foster nomination have apolo-
staff becomes expendable," Moore told Maraniss. Clinton
gized for bungling the affair. "The staff did not serve the
claimed he was misunderstood.
president well," said White House Chief of Staff Leon
The staff is still catching it. "There is not a single person
Panetta, again and again.
in the White House who hasn't disappointed Clinton at
Of course that's true: The
ERIK FREELAND-USN&WR
some stage, says one insider.
"vetting" process was uncoor-
Panetta, well liked and respect-
dinated, incomplete and tardy.
ed, has three bosses (the presi-
And it's no shock that a deal
dent, the vice president and the
was cut so that HHS would
first lady) and that means he
take most of the blame. But
isn't always in the room when
predictable mea culpas aside,
decisions get made. The closest
what about the rest of the sto-
thing to a consigliere is Gore,
ry the part that explains why
and some are now sniping at his
the president went ahead with
political acumen. "When the
the nomination even though he
boss is unhappy," says one offi-
had been warned about its po-
cial, "the staff starts pointing
tential hazards? The Foster
fingers." That's OK: so does
nomination is not just about
the boss. After two years. how-
bad staff work; it is also about
ever, a leader is responsible for
how Bill Clinton works.
his staff.
Clinton's insistence on rush-
The last thing the White
ing to name a surgeon general
House needs is a revival of the
remains a mystery even to
No. 1. President Clinton in California last week
competence issue. but here it
those who were involved. May-
is. Ironically, it comes at a mo-
be, they say, the Joycelyn El-
The Foster nomination is also
ment when Clinton is on solid
ders fiasco left him feeling an
ground on the ideological
urgency no staffers shared.
about how Bill Clinton works.
front-bashing the Republi-
"There weren't complaints out
cans on crime, on welfare re-
there that we didn't have an-
form, on the balanced-budget
other surgeon general," says
amendment. Now that he's in
one insider. "But the boss wanted one." The president
opposition, the president's waffling has disappeared like
chose Foster from a list of six names. Yet when the red flags
magic. Yet in its place is another botched nomination. and
went up, Clinton pressed ahead even though aides Harold
the best explanation Democrats offer publicly is staff stu-
Ickes and Erskine Bowles and HHS Secretary Donna Sha-
pidity. Privately, though, their ire is reserved for Clinton.
lala wanted to slow down.
Why would senators like Joe Biden of Delaware or John
Cooling his heels. The worry was partly about leaks and
Kerry of Massachusetts, up for re-election in 1996, want to
partly about looking indecisive. By the eleventh hour, the
raise the abortion issue when it is bound to anger Roman
nomination had acquired a life of its own: Although senior
Catholic and fundamentalist constituents? Remember the
aides had not read all the paperwork, a press conference
Southern Democrats, whom the White House asked to
had already been scheduled. While the arguments raged,
support an assault-weapons ban last year? They lost.
poor Foster was kept waiting for 90 minutes. Vice President
The president, we are now told. is passionate about
Al Gore, who had favored another candidate for the job
saving Foster. The truth is that Foster's fate and integrity
(which he also wanted to reinvent), wanted an announce-
are incidental to the Clinton White House. Win or lose,
ment. So did Clinton; Panetta had his orders.
fighting for Foster is just a way for Clinton to extricate
The president is the boss, but his aides are expected to
himself from another mess, rail against the "extreme
shoulder the blame. Many of Clinton's acolytes have spent
right" and keep his liberal Democratic base happy. "Just
much of their careers doing just that. Examples run ram-
making the fight is our victory," says one strategist. That
pant in David Maraniss's impressive Clinton biography,
may make sense but only if Bill Clinton is the person
First in His Class. Betsey Wright, Clinton's onetime guber-
you really care about saving.
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT, FEBRUARY 27. 1995
37
THE GREEN SHEET 59
DOUG BANDOW
WHITE HOUSE
CLEAR
NOMINATION
Wash. Times; 2-25-95
media attention has shifted
criminal actions by others, not mold
A
away from President Clin-
ton's choice of Dr. Henry
Checking
sinners' souls.
The Supreme Court has made it
Foster to be surgeon gen-
unlikely that abortion will ever
eral, administration officials say the
ing. But appearances may be
vital signs
again be prohibited by law, even
nomination's chances are improv-
though abortion involves the taking
of another life. The judiciary's posi-
deceiving; the Southern Baptist
tion does not, however, mean ter-
Convention, America's largest
Protestant denomination, has just
of the
minating a pregnancy - a
euphemism for killing the unborn
come out in opposition to the
-should be viewed as good, moral
appointment. And the Senate con-
or acceptable. The issue is not
tinues to have more than sufficient
nomination
choice, since choice is exercised
cause to reject Dr. Foster.
when people have sex. Rather, the
Perhaps the least of Dr. Foster's
issue is responsibility, a willingness
problems is his veracity. Did he
to accept the natural consequences
perform one abortion? A dozen?
issued a statement complaining
of voluntarily having sex. For the
Was it 39? Or hundreds? At best, his
that Dr. Foster's "equivocation and
putative parents to destroy the
memory is suspect. More likely, his
political cowardice in the face of
product of a sexual union, because
truthfulness quotient ran a bit low
criticism for doing what is legal
it is unplanned, a girl, or otherwise
this month.
is inappropriate." To not forth-
inconvenient, is wrong. For a doc-
But then, dissembling is nothing
rightly support the principle of
tor to become the means of destruc-
new in government. While Dr. Fos-
killing the unborn is, in its view, dis-
tion is also wrong.
ter's tarnished start would hinder
qualifying.
Indeed, Dr. Foster himself says "I
his ability to man the bully pulpit of
Most pro-abortion activists are
abhor abortion." He adds, "To me,
surgeon general, this kind of taint
less extreme, simply arguing that
abortion is failure." Moreover, Pres-
has become depressingly common
the procedure is legal, so what's
ident Clinton has long said he wants
in Washington.
the big deal? The National Abortion
abortion to be "rare."
Also swirling around Dr. Foster
and Reproductive Rights Action
Well, one way to demonstrate
are questions involving his ties to
League warned against "isolating
abhorrence of abortion and make it
Planned Parenthood, a federally
and demonizing doctors who pro-
rare is to apply social sanctions
subsidized pro-abortion lobby;
vide a legal medical service." In
against those who perform it, by, for
work with Upjohn Pharmaceutical
short, the law becomes the defini-
instance, disfavoring them when it
Co. to develop a new abortion pill;
tion of morality.
comes to public rewards, like fed-
views about sex education and con-
And that's the way it has long
eral appointments. Dr. Foster may
dom distribution for teens; and ster-
been in Washington. If you aren't
be a smart professional, competent
ilization of mentally retarded
indicted, you proclaim yourself to
doctor, and kind human being. But
women. None of these controver-
be vindicated. If you aren't con-
he has devoted part of his medical
sies bring credit to the nominee.
victed, you declare yourself to be
career to taking life, and that is
The most important issue, how-
certified innocent. If you aren't
morally, if not legally, wrong. For
ever, is that Dr. Foster did perform
found to have transgressed one sec-
this reason, he should not serve as
abortions, whether few or many.
tion or another of the U.S. Code, you
surgeon general.
The mere fact Dr. Foster suffered a
assert that you deserve wealth,
Abortion is truly a clash of irrec-
convenient memory loss about the
acclaim and position.
oncilable absolutes, the slavery
number suggests some embarrass-
But moral standards transcend
debate of our day. Even though
ment, if not shame, over his actions.
the positive law, as legislative enact-
legal sanctions against abortion
The administration's mad scramble
ments are known. Certain things,
may be impermissible, moral sanc-
to finalize the count and label oppo-
like murder, theft and fraud, are
tions remain available. And we, as
nents as "extremists" indicates that
punished because they are widely
a people, and the Senate, as our
the president, despite his protesta-
acknowledged to be immoral. Other
representatives, should exercise
tions to the contrary, also worries
actions - say, adultery - are also
them against Dr. Foster.
about people believing abortion to
morally wrong, but are properly
be a disqualification for office.
left outside the law. The fact they
This, naturally, has the pro-abor-
are not illegal does not legitimize
Doug Bandow, a senior fellow at
tion lobby in a lather. The National
them; it only means government's
the Cato Institute, is a nationally
Coalition of Abortion Providers
purpose is to protect people from
syndicated columnist.
DAILY NEWS
Thursday, February 23, 1995
OPINIONS
Fight to save Foster or Clinton?
Since the
Clinton's propensity to blame others. in
GLORIA
White House
1981. staffer Rudy Moore listened as the
BORGER
tripped itself
defeated governor publicly blamed his
coming out of
staff for his first-term mistakes. "I'm get-
the starting
ting the feeling that for his own well-be-
gate, maybe
ing, the staff becomes expendable,"
there is conso-
Moore told Maraniss. Clinton claimed he
was misunderstood.
lation in the
The staff is still catching it. "There is
news that Hen-
not a single person in the White House
ry Foster's
who hasn't disappointed Clinton at some
nomination as
stage," says one insider. Panetta, liked
surgeon gener-
and respected, has three bosses (the Pres-
al might be sal-
ident, vice president and First Lady) -
vaged. Bill Clin-
meaning he isn't always in the room when
ton has taken a stand against the "extrem-
decisions get made. The closest thing to a
ists" who would deny Foster the job sim-
consigliere is Gore, and some now are
ply because he performed abortions. Re-
sniping at his political acumen. "When
publicans are in knots over how hard to
Pox:
the boss is unhappy," says one official,
pursue the abortion issue. And players at
"the staff starts pointing fingers." That's
the White House and the Department of
okay; so does the boss. But after two
Health and Human Services, who re-
years, a leader is responsible for his staff.
searched the nomination, have apolo-
The last thing the White House needs is
gized for bungling the affair. "The staff
a revival of the competence issue, but
did not serve the President well," said
here it is. Ironically, it comes when Clin-
White House chief of staff Leon Panetta.
ton is on solid ground on the ideological
True, the vetting process was uncoordi-
HENRY FOSTER: Waiting, waiting
front - bashing Republicans on crime,
nated, incomplete and tardy. And it's no
welfare reform and the balanced-budget
shock that a deal was cut so HHS would
ior aides had not read all the paper work,
amendment. Now that he's in opposition,
take most of the blame. But what about
but a press conference was scheduled.
his waffling has disappeared. Yet in its
the rest of the story - why Clinton pro-
While the arguments raged, Foster was
place is another botched nomination, and
ceeded with the nomination after being
kept waiting for 90 minutes. Vice Presi-
the Democrats' best public explanation is
warned of its potential hazards? The
dent Gore, who had favored another can-
staff stupidity. Privately, though, their ire
nomination isn't just about bad staff
didate, wanted an announcement. So did
is reserved for Clinton. Why would sena-
work; it's about how Clinton works.
Clinton; Panetta had his orders.
tors such as Delaware's Joe Biden or John
His rush to name a surgeon general re-
The President is the boss, but his aides
Kerry of Massachusetts, up for reelection
mains a mystery even to those involved.
are expected to shoulder the blame. And
in 1996, want to raise the abortion issue,
Maybe, they say, the Joycelyn Elders fias-
many Clinton acolytes have done just
bound to anger constituents?
CO left him feeling an urgency no staffers
that. Examples of his demands on the
Clinton, we are told, is passionate
shared. "There weren't complaints out
staff run rampant in David Maraniss'
about saving Foster. The truth is that Fos-
there that we didn't have another surgeon
general," says an insider. "But the boss
Clinton biography, "First in His Class."
ter's fate and integrity are incidental to
the Clinton White House. Fighting for
wanted one." Clinton chose Foster from
Betsey Wright, Clinton's one-time guber-
him is just a way for Clinton to extricate
six names. When the red flags went up, he
natorial chief of staff, is the most obvious
himself from another mess, rail against
pressed ahead, though aides Harold Ick-
one. Maraniss reports: "He [Clinton] was
the "extreme right" and keep his liberal
es and Erskine Bowles and HHS Secre-
going through a severe midlife crisis
Democratic base happy. "Just making the
tary Donna Shalala wanted to slow down.
having a serious affair
and not even
fight is our victory," says a strategist. That
The worry was partly about leaks and
being discreet about it. Everyone knew.
may make sense - but only if Bill Clinton
looking indecisive. By the eleventh hour,
she said. She knew, the troopers knew,
is the person you care about saving.
the nomination had a life of its own: Sen-
Hillary knew." Just as telling is a story of
Reprinted from U.S. News & World Report.
Journal
If both halves of the '96 ticket are not
FRANK RICH
pro-life, the Christian Coalition will
stay home.
N.Y. Times; 2-23-95
God bless Mr. Reed. His blackball-
Their
ing of rising G.O.P. stars like Pete
Wilson, Christine Todd Whitman and
William Weld has brought the abor-
tion debate within the party to center
Own
stage - and, by extension, refocused
national attention on school prayer
and all the other closeted religious-
right causes that will re-emerge af-
Petard
ter Congress completes its Contract-
fixated first 100 days. By doing so
Mr. Reed has also, incredibly
enough, played into the hands of Bill
Asked on "60 Minutes" last Sun-
Clinton, who, by refusing to pull Dr.
day why he doesn't come across well
Henry Foster's nomination for Sur-
on TV, Phil Gramm replied: "It's
geon General, will also force Repub-
called being ugly." Mike Wallace
licans to debate a woman's right to
pooh-poohed the answer, and rightly
choose.
so. Mr. Gramm is at least as hand-
That Republicans don't want to
some as Al D'Amato. But the ex-
talk. about abortion - they know a
change was highly revealing even so.
pro-life stand looks ugly to the Amer-
Only someone who suspects he
ican center that decides elections -
may be ugly inside would unjokingly
is transparently evident. In the days
call himself ugly before a national
since Mr. Reed's ultimatum, the
audience. And, sure enough, the ugli-
G.O.P. has been almost farcically
ness soon poured out. When he re-
trying to cover up its Faustian pact
affirmed his desire to roll back abor-
with the pro-life religious right. Newt
tion rights for women, from the poor
Gingrich has warned his colleagues
to the raped, Mr. Gramm's pleasant
to leave the abortion issue out of the
mien turned to stone. There's no way
Foster battle (good luck!); Mr. Dole
for a man to look good when he talks
has vainly wished out loud that Mr.
about policing uteri.
Clinton would withdraw Dr. Foster's
There's also no way for a Republi-
nomination; and even the slick Mr.
can libertarian to support the pro-
Reed, perhaps roped in by his anx-
life position and look ideologically
ious G.O.P. patrons, has been run-
consistent: If you're in favor of get-
ning from Tom Snyder to Charlie
Rose in an unconvincing effort to
ting the government off everyone's
back, why make an exception for
downplay his attempt to dictate a
pregnant women? Since polls now
pro-life G.O.P. ticket.
But in '96, as in '92, an issue as
show that even 71 percent of Repub-
licans favor some degree of abortion
powerful as abortion cannot be hid-
den in a political party's big tent.
rights, you have to wonder why ev-
And it's not only Mr. Clinton who will
ery major G.O.P. Presidential candi-
hold the Republicans' feet to the fire.
date, including supposed moderates
Within the G.O.P., Arlen Specter is
like Robert Dole and Lamar Alexan-
der, is anti-choice.
already earning applause in New
Hampshire by taking on the reli-
The answer, of course, is Pat Rob-
gious right and its pro-life stand in
ertson's Christian Coalition. Correct-
his own Presidential candidacy. He's
ly or not, most Republicans seeking
the only spokesman, and a tenacious
the Presidency believe they cannot
one, for the Weld-Whitman-Wilson
win the nomination without this pro-
Republican majority that is other-
life group's approval. The Christian
wise unrepresented on primary bal-
Coalition believes it too, especially
lots.
since Nov. 8 - which is why Mr.
Mr. Specter described himself in a
Robertson's front man, Ralph Reed,
conversation this week as "whipped
started throwing his weight around
up"; he's still smarting from the
this month. Dropping his post-elec-
booing he received in lowa last sum-
tion ruse that the Christian Coalition
mer when he chastised those Repub-
is a mainstream conservative group
lican extremists who would abridge
- "Our priorities are tax relief and
the separation of church and state.
welfare reform," he said robotically
Does a pro-choice Jew, however con-
in November - Mr. Reed abruptly
servative otherwise, have even a re-
gave the Republicans an ultimatum.
mote shot at the Republican nomina-
tion? So far only he seems to think
so. But at a time when every other
Republican Presidential hopeful is
Abortion
pandering to the ugly forces of Pat
Robertson, Mr. Specter bears watch-
has pro-life
ing as the increasingly attractive
alternative who could yet shape his
Republican
party's most explosive internal de-
bate.
hopefuls
walking on eggs.
Essay
WILLIAM SAFIRE
N.Y. Times; 2-23-95
The Double Wedge
PORTLAND, Ore.
thinking that not one of the pro-
Every political operative dreams
choice "three W's" - Pete Wilson,
of finding the perfect "wedge issue"
Christie Whitman or Bill Weld has
- of placing the wedge in a crack in
a chance for a G.O.P. nomination.
the opposition's traditional support,
Meanwhile, Republicans are driv-
and then using a sledgehammer to
ing in the anti-affirmative-action
split off a great segment of the other
wedge, and Democrats may soon be
party's vote.
singing "racial preference is busting
Here are the 1996 wedge issues:
up that old coalition of mine."
For Democrats, it is abortion
The key word is "color-blind." Af-
rights. The Clinton White House is
ter three decades of penance for two
well aware that a great many con-
centuries of discrimination, most
servative Republican women desert-
whites (and many merit-conscious
ed George Bush on this issue. Demo-
blacks) reject the compensatory re-
cratic strategists have noted how
verse discrimination that has led to
Republicans, sensitive to the way
de facto quotas in hiring and favorit-
pro-life speakers turned off a major-
ism in government contracts.
ity of TV viewers in prime time at
Racial preference in contracting
their 1992 convention, are now seek-
led to the Wedtech scandal of the
ing to defuse an issue that divides
80's, and tax breaks to minority-
the conservative-libertarian and re-
fronted enterprises led to today's
ligious right.
attempted billion-dollar Viacom tax
Mr. Clinton, who in his first week
dodge. The Gingrich-Dole Congress
as President delivered on his pro-
is now striking down the I.R.S. rule
choice promises, recently sought a
under which the F.C.C. allows minor-
way to re-ignite the issue. He found it
ity-owned companies to defer taxes
in his selection for Surgeon General,
on capital gains on sales of stations.
Dr. Henry Foster.
A big winner in the Viacom fast-
Much has been made of White
shuffle is the black attorney who
cooked up this profitable preference
in the Carter Administration.
"On affirmative action, we clearly
Race & sex
oppose moving backward," says Mr.
Panetta, assigned the wedging and
in '96.
counter-wedging task usually done
by a Vice President. However, a
large portion of the traditional Dem-
ocratic strength now classified as
"angry white male" showed in the
House blunders in not getting
'94 election it is disaffecting from the
straight the exact number of abor-
party of minority preferences. To a
tions this gynecologist and obstetri-
white job applicant who loses out to a
cian performed in his career. The
less qualified black, the Democratic
mistake, if any, turns out to be a
theme of "fairness" seems less than
forward fumble; attention is now
fair, and the Republican direction of
focused on abortion again.
color-blindness seems to be forward.
G.O.P. senators are doing contor-
When Bill Kristol, faxing philoso-
tions to say the issue is credibility,
pher of the majoritarian movement,
not the performance of legal medical
sends the word that "a full public
procedures, But the White House
consensus about the need to close
chief of staff, Leon Panetta, is slam-
our affirmative action era can be
ming home the wedge: a vote
achieved," the great wedge is being
against Dr. Foster is an anti-abor-
placed.
tion vote. Right-to-life groups ea-
Will Democrats, old and new, find
gerly joined with right-to-abort ad-
a way to compromise on "affirma-
vocates to help him make his point.
tive action," the euphemism for
I met the redoubtable Dr. Foster
compensatory racial preference?
coming out of the office of Senator
Will Republicans, so close to undivid-
Arlen Specter, the Republican Presi-
ed power, find a way to compromise
dential candidate who urged he be
on abortion rights, even if it results
given a fair hearing; later, in New
in a platform that stands mute?
Hampshire, Mr. Specter reaffirmed
If so, we will have the blessing of a
his pro-choice position and rejected
big-tent, two-party system that ame-
the kak-handed pronouncement of
liorates the most divisive issues be-
the Christian Coalition's Ralph Reed
fore they are brought to a vote.
that the G.O.P. ticket had to be pure
If not, we will be cursed with a
pro-life.
knock-down, drag-out, four-party
The abortion wedge is in; Clinton's
election - the polarizing politics of
adviser, James Carville, is wishfully
the Double Wedge.
The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville 2/22/95
SURGEON GENERAL
Credibility is the issue
U.
S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, the
Moreover, critics have found transcripts
California Democrat known for
of a 1978 U.S. Health, Education and
her impassioned warning in 1991
Welfare advisory board meeting in which
of dire consequences if the United States
Foster is quoted as saying he had "done a
went to war against Iraq, is back in the
lot of amniocentesis and therapeutic
news. This time, she is saying Henry
abortions, probably near 700."
Foster's critics are engaging in a
That may or may not be consistent with
"vendetta" and a "witch-hunt."
his estimate of 39 abortions, since
While that may explain why the 1992
amniocentesis is a test to determine if a
Almanac of American Politics says she has
fetus is developing normally. Still, before
"a flair for the dramatic," it does little to
voting on his nomination, Congress needs
shed any light on Foster's fitness to serve
to determine exactly how many of those
as surgeon general.
700 were abortions - as a means of
Administration officials at first
measuring the imprecision of his memory.
understood Foster to say he had
The surgeon general does not perform
performed one abortion over a 37-year
surgery. His job is to rally the public
obstetrical career. Later, he revised that
behind health-related issues. Luther Terry
number upward to "fewer than a dozen"
began the fight against smoking in 1964,
- then, on a nationwide TV interview
for example, and C. Everett Koop
he recalled 39 of them.
encouraged safe sex to avoid AIDS.
On the same show, he also
Just as Joycelyn Elders could not unite
acknowledged supervising other doctors in
the public while urging that schools teach
a hospital trial of a vaginal suppository
masturbation, and Lani Guinier's radical
that induced 55 more abortions.
ideas could not be accepted by the
Administration officials, meanwhile, said
mainstream, Foster's effectiveness might
not all records had been searched -
be compromised by his background. His
implying the count could be higher.
belatedly revealed membership on the
Foster insists he simply relied on a
board of Planned Parenthood also could
faulty memory.
be a factor.
But one would hope a surgeon general
Foster may very well be an excellent
could do better than to round off 39, or
doctor, but that doesn't necessarily make
94, to "fewer than a dozen." How can the
him an ideal surgeon general.
public trust his judgment if his capacity to
Once again, the White House has
recall facts is that limited?
mishandled the appointment of a major
The perception, right or wrong, is that
member of its team. One commentator
Foster was "fudging" to avoid a
said on television Friday the staff actually
controversy - particularly since he has
advised Clinton not to make the
gone to such great pains in recent days to
nomination. Maybe, for once, he should
distance himself from abortion advocates.
have taken some good advice.
NEW YORK NEWSDAY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21. 1995
StateofNation:
Not Healthy
A
BSOLUTELY MARVELOUS! Joycelyn Elders
was the chief medical officer of the United
States. Her title was surgeon general. Then
one day she said something about masturbation.
She spoke in these times when
He also was asked about the
the galoots are on the loose. The
number of abortions he had per-
religious right gave an ignorant
formed, and he gave some low
shriek and their politicians imme-
number that took place in the
diately picked it up. Clinton quiv-
'70s, and it actually was more
ered and the woman was forced to
and the screams went up.
quit.
And while Clinton says he will
And then the other night here
stand up against this nonsense,
was the Seinfeld show on televi-
his past performances are 80 poor
sion. It has to be the best comedy
that when he uses the word de-
show in years. The episode this
termined you could swear he said
time dealt with masturbation. It
defeat.
was at once in high humor and
Yet he better refrain from his
taste.
almost-usual act of retiring from
The Seinfeld show had 40 mil-
the lists. He has to walk right in
lion laughing in their living rooms.
and shove people out of the way
In Washington, there was a dire
and put Foster into the job. Be-
crisis because Joycelyn
cause if he doesn't, if
Elders dared talk about
the psalm singers pre-
the same thing.
vail, we in New York
Seinfeld doesn't give
City will be in desper-
it a second thought and
ate danger. Oh, this
he makes the country
has nothing to do with
laugh.
Foster himself; it is the
And Clinton frets and
idea that if Foster can
trembles and makes a
be thrown out right
public weakling out of
after Elders, one black
himself.
doctor after the other,
Again, the people are
then the Republicans
far ahead of the terrified
Jimmy
in Congress will feel
politicians.
that they can crush ev-
If Clinton's wife was
Breslin
erything in sight.
about one-third as influ-
Let them eliminate
ential as she is supposed to be, she
money for the poor of this city
could have stepped in and done
and we will have tent cities and
something about it.
chaos.
I don't know the Elders woman.
Suddenly, the idea that we
I never even saw her in person. But
have Pataki as governor and Giu-
know what she is doing now: She
liani as the mayor is alarming.
stands in the twilight and looks at
We are 80 dumb that we elected
everybody else stumbling toward
people who will sell us out with-
her.
out a shrug. These people in
We have free speech in this
Washington are theirs. Their
country, but everybody is afraid to
loudest hero, Gingrich, acts like
use it.
he resents people who need new
And now we have her possible
spokes for their wheelchairs.
successor, a doctor named Henry
The Republicans scream that
Foster, being attacked. His nomi-
Foster has used the law of the
nation for surgeon general by Clin-
land too much. They are turning
ton is crucial and ominous for New
his past and his nomination into
York City.
a matter of religious belief. They
The right wing is as strong and
stand outside the law, which says
mean as it was in the '50s, when
abortion is legal and that we live
this famous McCarthy was naming
in a pluralistic society whose con-
enemies of the democracy. Nobody
stitution forbids a religious test
ever had questioned McCarthy on
for public office.
his unrelieved, dangerous lying
This time, they have to be
until the damage was done.
stopped and put on national dis-
The same thing is going on to-
play as cheap, drawling bigots.
day. The language of these right
They purport to speak common
wingers today is as poisonous as
sense. But what they actually do
what was being thrown around
is make sense common. They talk
Dallas in November of 1963. On
about changing America and all
that day, even the morning news-
they want to do is bring every-
paper had an ad charging that Jack
body back to living with quaint
Kennedy was a Communist.
Tobacco Road customs.
Today, this Gingrich and the
The surgeon general of the
Gramms and the like hate and dis-
United States better be Dr. Hen-
tort, and nobody in Washington
ry Foster or we are not living in
takes them on. You can forget the
the same country anymore.
people in the news business. They
The responsibility for this is
are pekinese who can type. There
Clinton's. Surely, he cannot
is one Democratic politician, Bill
count on the news reporting be-
Bradley, who is famous and should
cause they seem to resent the
be strong enough to take them on,
poor as much as the Republicans.
but everytime you look, Bradley is
But Clinton has been sloughing
deep in a corner, doing nothing.
through things like this through
The others aim at a doctor
80 many years. If he can't get it
named Foster. He is known for
done now, then what do we need
preventing teenage pregnancies.
him for?
Montgomery Advertiser AL 2/20/95
Bungled
HOW WHITE HOUSE BUNGLED FOSTER NOMINATION
By MARTIN SCHRAM
What we have here - in a capital
where the news media reports solemnly
HEY! WHY
STOP THe
RIGHT
about edifices that talk and ephemeral en-
BABY
TO
tities that divulge - is a failure to com-
DELIVERERAL
(RUN YOUR)
WEREN'T
LIFe
municate.
man two presidents recognized as out-
MoRe CANDID?
VOL-
CLINIC
That's why Dr. Henry W. Foster Jr., a
UNTER
WORKER
standing, is in such an awful mess today.
You could read about it in our greatest
newspapers after poor Foster was honored
as President Clinton's choice to be sur-
geon general.
CLADER
The New York Times, for example, re-
cently reported, there was "an initial mis-
statement by the Administration to Sena-
tor Nancy Landon Kassebaum, a Kansas
Republican, that Dr. Foster had per-
formed only a single abortion " Also:
FOSTER
WANTED
"The White House acknowledged mis-
takes."
JOEL PER
What with all these errors committed
by a faceless entity and a famous edifice,
had I done abortions? And I said, 'Yes'.
What really matters is not the number
you might wonder whether there might
And the one I remembered most was a
of legal medical procedures known as
also have been some human error.
woman who had AIDS. And that was es-
abortions he performed (latest count: 39
WELL, THERE WAS. Here's what
sentially the end of that conversation."
as doctor of record). It is: How dare Clin-
actually happened (according to sources
Perhaps you might glean from such a
ton. Leon Panetta. Shalala et al be so po-
who themselves prefer to remain faceless
conversation that you did not have the
litically impaired that they maneuvered a
while facing up to the need to put a face
precise facts at hand. But Shalala and her
truly fine doctor into a position from
on the whole mess.):
staff were not so attuned. Shalala tele-
which there can be no noble outcome.
On Saturday, Jan. 28, at a presidential
phoned Kassebaum's office (or had an
summit on welfare reform at the Blair
aide make the call) to report that Foster
Foster's reputation is tarnished - even
had done one abortion.
if he wins a bloody nomination fight that
House, Sen. Kassebaum, who chairs the
Senate Labor and Human Resources
At that time. President Clinton was
will drag on for months.
Committee, told Health and Human Serv-
aware that there had been more than one,
THOSE WHO KNOW Kassebaum
ices Secretary Donna Shalala that she'd
although it is not sure what the president
best are convinced that if she had been
read of the pending appointment of Fos-
knew, when he knew it and whether what
consulted and told all the facts in ad-
ter. a Tennessee obstetrician and gynecol-
he knew had the added virtue of being the
vance, she might have emerged as one of
truth.
ogist. Kassebaum asked whether he'd per-
Foster's strongest defenders.
formed abortions.
KOPPEL NEVER ASKED who did
Which reminds: Has anybody heard an
Shalala's response: "Why? Should that
this slipshod questioning: but an HHS
encouraging word from that other presi-
matter?" (Remember that.)
source admits it was Shalala's team. We,
dent who honored Dr. Foster - President
the public. don't care, except - you
Kassebaum, who supports the right of
George Bush. who once celebrated Foster
know how buildings talk - now the
women to make their own choice on abor-
as one of a "Thousand Points of Light"
White House is saying HHS is a bunch of
tion, said it was sure to be raised and
bad vetters (this without a trace of Ger-
for combating teenage pregnancy - and
wanted to know.
manic accent): HHS is saying the White
who (with his all-GOP staff) apparently
Shalala had an assistant talk with Fos-
House kept control. whatever that means.
also never thought it important to ask if
ter. As Foster told Ted Koppel on ABC
Anyway, the White House cleared and
his designated national hero had per-
News' "Nightline":
released this statement from Foster: "I
formed 1. 12. 39 or 700 abortions?
"The day before the president an-
believed that I performed fewer than a
Martin Schram writes on the intersec-
nounced his intention to nominate, I was
dozen pregnancy terminations Which
tion of the news media. policy and poli-
asked by someone in the administration
was wrong.
ties.
PAUL GREENBERG
Wash. Times; 2-19-95
By the standards of our times
irst, a cautionary tale.
abortions." The doctor points out
tutional. ("A White House official
F
The story came out last
that he has performed fewer than a
said Saturday [Feb. 11] that Foster
weekend and, if it made
dozen abortions, or rather only 39,
was very much in the mainstream
your paper at all, was
during a long, 38-year career in
of medical practice at the time he
probably buried inside.
medicine, and these principally for
performed those hysterectomies."
Here in Little Rock, it
therapeutic reasons. So what's all
- Robin Toner in the New York
appeared on Page 7A under the
the fuss about?
Times.)
headline: "Six Japanese tell of
But the latest Authorized Ver-
Indeed, Dr. Foster's long and dis-
WWII research, including dissec-
sion of the number of abortions
tinguished career would seem to con-
tions of live humans."
performed by Dr. Foster doesn't
form admirably to the medical,
It seems that 50 years after the
include those in a drug trial of a
social, legal and constitutional stan-
end of World War II, a 74-page book
Henry Foster
vaginal suppository that induced
dards of our times. There is nothing
has been published about a biologi-
abortions in 55 of the 60 women to
in his record that violates official pol-
cal warfare unit of the Japanese
whom it was given for no clear ther-
icy. When it comes to his performing
army that performed experiments
apeutic reason. If he found abortion
abortions, as the good doctor noted
on human subjects. In exchange for
abhorrent, why did he supervise
the other day, his "patient records
not having to face war-crimes trials,
this test at Meharry Medical
and operative logs" are all in order.
six members of Unit 731 detailed its
School?
One hopes that all the support for
activities in Manchuria, where they
Dr. Foster explained why in a
Dr. Foster out of the White House
injected germs, chemicals and gan-
televised interview last week: "To
does not turn out to be the usual
grene-inducing shrapnel into
keep my veracity. We are in a med-
prelude to a cave-in, and that Henry
humans to study the effects. At least
ical setting. We had a research
Foster - unlike Lani Guinier -
3,000 people from China, Russia,
grant. We have to do that to train our
will get his day in front of a con-
Korea and Mongolia were subjected
residents. We were in a multi-cen-
gressional committee. By now the
to these experiments. "Sometimes
ter study with the Upjohn Co., and
doctor may have been sufficiently
dissections were carried out without
we tested a product, a suppository,
sensitized by this arduous process
anesthesia," according to one former
not a mechanical procedure, to
of confirmation to make a good sur-
member of the unit. "They would let
train residents.
That's a part of
geon general His statements
out a horrible shriek but then fall
keeping our program accredited,
against abortion and in favor of sex-
silent right away."
and at that time, and, like now, 20
ual abstinence for teen-agers would
Surely somewhere in the Imper-
percent of all universities survive
seem to make eminently good
ial War Office the activities of Unit
on grant funds. That was a grant."
sense, socially and morally. Like
731 were duly logged, explained
Dr. Foster has made it clear how
old Noah in the Book of Genesis, he
and euphemized as scientific
a physician, and not just a physi-
seems a righteous man in his gen-
research. Just as in Berlin, similar
cian, can be induced to do some-
eration.
assignments on a massive scale
thing he finds personally abhor-
The hearings on Dr. Henry Fos-
were to be described as population
rent: Use a chemical agent instead
ter's nomination offer the American
transfers. It was all in accordance
of a mechanical procedure, ensur-
people something more important
with accepted policy and current
ing the key element in carrying out
than an opportunity to judge his fit-
regulations. Everything was legal.
any morally dubious policy - dis-
ness for high office. Confirmation
All the papers were in order. Long
tance. Call it reproductive health
hearings can be about a lot more
after the war, the noted intellectu-
care. Do it in the name of scientif-
than confirmation. They offer an
al Hannah Arendt attended the trial
ic research. Or grantsmanship. Or
opportunity to explore the medical,
of Adolf Eichmann in Jerusalem.
accreditation. Do it for the unit, the
social, legal and constitutional
Here was her opportunity to look
team or, in this case, the school.
standards that have shaped his and
into the very heart of darkness. All
LIRE
Depersonalize the decision. Keep
all of our attitudes on matters of life
she found was an upwardly mobile,
TIME
telling yourself it is all legal, con-
and death, science and morality.
lower-middle-class ex-salesman
C1995
CARTOONEWS
INTERNATIONAL
USA
stitutional, etc.
The hearings could even offer a
Worldwide
Copyright
by
NYC.
who had hit upon a successful
Dr. Foster also participated in
clear look at the banality of evil. It
career in political administration.
called it the Banality of Evil.
fortable about the widespread prac-
the sterilization of mentally retard-
would be interesting to see how
Her discovery profoundly insulted
In 1995, elective abortion is both
tice of abortion, including Dr. Fos-
ed women at a Tuskegee hospital in
many of our distinguished leaders
many who preferred to think that
accepted policy and the law of the
ter, who says he finds it "abhor-
the 1970s - in order, he wrote at
could recognize it.
Evil wears red socks, smells of fire
land. Yet the nomination of Henry
rent."
the time, to obtain "significant
and brimstone and is immediately
Foster, M.D., as surgeon general of
The debate over his confirma-
hygienic benefits to these severely
identifiable. Instead, Hannah
the United States has stirred ques-
tion, he adds, is ironic, since "my
handicapped individuals." The pro-
Paul Greenberg is editorial page
Arendt had identified its most
tions about this perfectly legal, con-
life's work has been dedicated to
cedure has since been mercifully
editor of the Arkansas Democrat
salient characteristic in this tech-
stitutional procedure. It seems
making sure that young people
abandoned, but Dr. Foster was not
Gazette in Little Rock and a nation-
nologically advanced century. She
some Americans are still uncom-
don't have to face the choice of
doing anything illegal or unconsti-
ally syndicated columnist.
61 THE GREEN SHEET
INSIDE POLITICS
JACK W. GERMOND AND JULES WITCOVER
FOSTER AFFAIR CAN BE A CLINTON PLUS
n a kind of perverse way. the controversy over the nomina-
servative demand for a constitutional amendment to outlaw
tion of Henry Foster Jr. for Surgeon General offers a rich
abortion.
political opportunity to President Clinton.
Indeed. until the Foster nomination brought abortion rights
On the face of it. this seems laughable. Once again the White
to the forefront again. the issue was one that many savvy Repub-
House is being derided by enemies and excoriated by allies for
licans wanted to finesse in their own decision on a presidential
handling the nomination so clumsily. And it is obviously too late
nominee. It is now an accepted article of faith among political
to counter that criticism.
professionals in both parties that the harshly moralistic tone of
But if Clinton sticks with Foster to the end, he may be able to
the 1992 Republican National Convention in Houston alienated
alter the perception, widespread in both the political community
many independent voters as well as some moderate Republi-
and the electorate. that he is a weak and vacillating politician
cans.
easily rolled by his opponents. It is a perception at the heart of
The sensitivity of the issue has also been apparent in the way
his weakness with the voters as he
the Republicans have handled the
looks ahead to running for a sec-
Foster case-that is, by focusing
ond term. (See this issue, p. 445.)
Clinton can turn a
their complaints on questions
At the same time, the President
about the Administration's obvi-
has an opening to exploit the con-
tinuing divisions within the Repub-
bungled nomination to
ously flawed process in choosing
the Nashville physician and about
lican Party over the abortion-rights
question and the role of the family
his advantage if he
Foster's credibility.
The strategy has not worked.
values issue in the 1996 presiden-
however. The White House and
tial election campaign. (See this
fights hard for it-and
abortion-rights activists have been
issue, p. 462.)
calls attention to the
disciplined so far in depicting the
So far Clinton has shown no sign
challenge to Foster as being pri-
of bending on the Foster nomina-
tion. On the contrary, the White
rifts in the GOP.
marily an attempt to challenge the
Supreme Court on abortion rather
House has been conducting a vig-
than as an expression of simple
orous campaign to win public sup-
disapproval of the President's
port for the nomination and thus
nominee for Surgeon General.
put pressure on the Senate to con-
The White House has received
firm the choice. Among the wise guys of politics, however, there
no little help, moreover, from such hard-line conservatives in the
is still an obvious wait-and-see attitude. No one has forgotten
Republican Party as television commentator Patrick J.
other decisions reversed, other nominees tossed over the side
Buchanan who are again insisting that the party platform next
when the President's hand was called.
year must include a plank similar to the 1992 plan that called for
The doubts are so widespread that a victory on the Foster
a prohibition against all abortions without regard to how the
nomination would be given disproportionate weight as evidence
pregnancy occurred.
that Clinton is, after all, a strong political leader. But even if the
There is also the beginning of a new argument among Repub-
nomination finally goes down in the Senate, Clinton can project
licans over whether anyone who supports abortion rights could
a new image as a forceful figure so long as he sticks with his
serve on the presidential ticket next year-an argument that is
nominee.
certain to gain increased attention if someone such as Gov. Pete
This case is especially important to Clinton because his con-
Wilson of California or Gov. William Weld of Massachusetts
duct will be watched most closely-and perhaps critically-by
becomes a candidate for the Republican nomination. The
two Democratic constituencies vital to his political future.
Democrats would like nothing better than the picture of the
One is made up of black Democratic leaders who were dis-
Christian Coalition setting the qualifications for Republican
mayed by his retreat on the nomination almost two years ago of
presidential nominees.
Lani Guinier to be assistant attorney general in charge of civil
Such ideological stresses used to be more common among the
rights. The fact that Foster is a black nominee replacing another
Democrats in the days when liberals tried to write off potential
controversial black, Joycelyn Elders, adds to the pressure on
presidential candidates on such diverse things as the death
Clinton.
penalty or votes for the MX missile and aid to the antigovern-
The second group is made up of those Democratic liberals,
ment contras in Nicaragua.
prominently but not entirely activist women, for whom the abor-
The problem for either party is that voters tend to hold more-
tion-rights issue is indeed a test of Clinton's values.
centrist views and to be more interested in practical questions
On the issue itself, Clinton seems to be holding the high cards.
such as jobs and health care. And they also tend to be impatient
Opinion polls show that most Americans want the government
with extremists bickering over how many nuances they can write
to stay out of the decision. And they find very few voters-fewer
onto the head of a pin.
than 10 per cent on each side-who say that they cast their bal-
So although it is fair to say that Clinton is still facing an uphill
lots on the abortion question alone.
fight to win Senate confirmation of his nominee for Surgeon
More to the point for the President, the issue has continued
General, it is equally accurate to say that there is a political
to be a divisive one among Republicans. That obviously was one
opportunity for the President if he handles himself in a way that
of the reasons House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., made up
projects an image of strength-and calls attention to the deep
his Contract With America without including the longtime con-
fault lines in the Republican Party.
NATIONAL JOURNAL 2/18/95
tions banning the use of federal funds to
Charles Krauthammer
involuntarily sterilize the mentally incompe-
Wash. Post; 2-17-95
tent unless (1) an independent review com-
mittee approved and (2) "a court of compe-
A Troubling
tent jurisdiction has determined that the
proposed sterilization is in the best interest
of the patient."
Medical
These safeguards are essentially the
same ones we have today. Moreover, HEW
had published similar preliminary regula-
tions in September 1973-nearly a year
Act
before Foster's first report.
Now, Foster would have violated no fed-
eral regulations because he was using no
"Recently, I have begun to use hyster-
federal funds. But legality is not the issue. I
ectomy in patients with severe mental re-
have no doubt that what he did was legal.
tardation," reported Surgeon General-desig-
The issue here is whether, as the adminis-
nate Henry Foster in 1974. There was
tration argues, he was merely reflecting the
nothing wrong with the uteruses of these
moral climate of the time. Yet by the time
women. But because there was a lot wrong
Foster had first announced the results of his
with their brains, Foster performed major
"recent" procedure, that procedure had
surgery on them for the sole purpose of
been deemed impermissible-unless pre-
preventing them from having children or
ceded by strict outside review and the proxy
menstrual periods.
consent of a court-for the entire U.S.
Foster's intentions were no doubt good.
Public Health Service.
The women might be incapable of caring for
For all its virtues, the federal bureaucra-
children. And eliminating their periods
cy is not generally known as the locus of the
would make keeping up their hygiene easi-
nation's ethical avant-garde. Regulations
er. But was it ethical to perform surgery
take time, lots of time, before they are
and permanently sterilize women in no posi-
proposed and parsed, commented upon and
tion to give consent?
finally codified. By the time these were
If a doctor wants to do so today, he must
codified, they would have reflected a gener-
first go to court, get a court-appointed guard-
al sense that sterilization of the mentally
ian to agree that sterilization is in the wom-
infirm was a morally problematic procedure
an's best interest and get the judge to order
that required judicial review and consent.
it. There is no indication that Dr. Foster took
Dr. Foster's paper gives no hint of sharing
these steps. I asked the Department of
that sensibility.
Health and Human Services what kind of
Assume, however, for the moment and
consent Dr. Foster obtained for these hyster-
the sake of argument, that Foster's hyster-
ectomies. They could not tell me. They did
ectomies were perfectly in tune with the
tell me that Dr. Foster did not recall the
ethical climate of the time and that the
details and that the issue was "under review."
climate has changed. It seems curious that
They were sure he had followed hospital
Foster should be the beneficiary of a rule
accreditation regulations, but they did not
that says: If you have done something that
think there was any judicial review.
would be considered wrong today but that
These are important questions. These are
was considered all right at the time, you get
the crucial question the Senate needs to ask
a pass. Would a doctor who had performed,
Dr. Foster. Because without these safe-
say, frontal lobotomies on psychiatric pa-
guards of independent and judicial review,
tients when such procedures were in fashion
sterilizing the retarded, however well inten-
in the 1950s now be considered a fit candi-
tioned, is unethical medical conduct.
date for surgeon general?
The White House argues that standards
What about a doctor who had participated
of medical conduct have changed since the
in radiation experiments on unconsenting,
unsuspecting subjects during the early Cold
War years? When these experiments were
revealed last year, they elicited an explosion
Without judicial
of righteous indignation from this very ad-
ministration. "While her predecessors
review, sterilizing the
brushed off early reports about the experi-
ments," reported The Post last year, "[En-
retarded is unethical.
ergy Secretary] O'Leary made an immediate
public outcry." Hearings were held, commis-
mid-'70s and that what Foster did was
sions of investigation established, prac-
within "the mainstream of medicine" as
tices-and practitioners-denounced. The
practiced at that time.
kind of sympathetic moral relativism accord-
Was it? Was it just recently that these
ed Dr. Foster was nowhere in evidence.
elaborate judicial safeguards against invol-
The White House notes, in defensive de-
untary sterilization were established?
fense of Dr. Foster, that he performed only
Foster's announcement that he had "be-
"a small number" of sterilizations. True. Fos-
gun" to do sterilizations was first published
ter's paper seems to show that he performed
in January 1976 based on an oral report he
only four. I don't expect that this number will
had given in early August 1974. But on Feb.
undergo change, as did the number of abor-
6, 1974-six months before his oral report
tions Foster says he performed. But as with
and fully two years before its publication-
abortion, the White House's very insistence
the federal government published regula-
on "a small number" is telling. It betrays an
obvious discomfort with what Foster did. It
reinforces the sense that the moral climate of
the 1970s was not nearly so alien as some
pretend and that even in that ancient time
surgically sterilizing the retarded was a mor-
ally troubling medical act.
Chgo. Trib.; 2-17-95
Dr. Foster and the ethics question
ASHINGTON-"Recently, I have begun
W
to use hysterectomy in patients with
Charles Krauthammer
severe mental retardation," reported
surgeon general-designate Henry Foster
in 1974. There was nothing wrong with
year before Foster's first report.
the uteruses of these women. But because there was
Foster violated no federal regulations because he
a lot wrong with their brains, Foster performed
was using no federal funds. But the question here is
major surgery on them for the sole purpose of
whether, as the administration argues, he was
preventing them from having children or menstrual
merely reflecting the moral climate the time. By the
periods.
time Foster had first announced the results of his
Foster's intentions were no doubt good. The
"recent" procedure, that procedure had been deemed
women might be incapable of caring for children.
impermissible-unless preceded by the kind of
And eliminating their periods would make keeping
review and court consent required today-for the
up their hygiene easier. But was it ethical to
entire U.S. Public Health Service.
perform surgery and permanently sterilize women
Assume, however, for the moment and the sake of
in no position to give consent?
argument, that Foster's hysterectomies were
If a doctor wants to do so today he must first go
perfectly in tune with the ethical climate of the time
to court, get a court-appointed guardian to agree
and that the climate has changed. Would a doctor
that sterilization is in the woman's best interest and
who had performed, say, frontal lobotomies on
get the judge to order it. There is no indication that
psychiatric patients when such procedures were in
Dr. Foster took these steps. I asked the Department
fashion in the 1950s now be considered a fit
of Health and Human Services what kind of consent
candidate for surgeon general?
Foster obtained for these hysterectomies. They could
What about a doctor who had participated in
not tell me.
radiation experiments on unconsenting,
It is an important question. It is the crucial
unsuspecting subjects during the early Cold War
question the Senate needs to ask Foster. Because
years? When these experiments were revealed last
without these safeguards of proxy consent and
year, they elicited an explosion of righteous
judicial review, sterilizing the retarded, however
indignation from this very administration. "While
well intentioned, is unethical medical conduct.
her predecessors brushed off early reports about the
The White House argues that standards of medical
experiments," reported the Washington Post last
conduct have changed since the mid-70s and that
year, "[Energy Secretary] O'Leary made an
what Foster did was within "the mainstream of
immediate public outcry." Hearings were held,
medicine" as practiced at that time. Was it? Was it
commissions of investigation established,
just recently that these elaborate judicial safeguards
practices-and practitioners-denounced. The kind
against involuntary sterilization were established?
of sympathetic moral relativism accorded Foster
Hardly. Foster's announcement that he had
was nowhere in evidence.
"begun" to do sterilizations was first published in
The White House notes, in defense of Foster, that
January 1976 based on an oral report he had given
he performed only "a small number" of
in early August 1974. But on Feb. 6, 1974-six
sterilizations. True. Foster's paper seems to show
months before his oral report and fully two years
that he performed only four. I don't expect that this
before its publication-the federal government
number will undergo change, as did the number of
published regulations banning the use of federal
abortions Foster says he performed. But as with
funds to involuntarily sterilize the mentally
abortion, the White House's very insistence on "a
incompetent unless (1) an independent review
small number" is telling.
committee approved and (2) "a court of competent
It betrays an obvious discomfort with what Foster
jurisdiction has determined that the proposed
did. It reinforces the sense that the moral climate of
sterilization is in the best interest of the patient."
the 1970s was not nearly so alien as some pretend,
These safeguards are essentially the same ones we
and that even in that ancient time surgically
have today. Moreover, the Department of Health,
sterilizing the retarded was a morally troubling
Education and Welfare had published similar
medical act.
preliminary regulations in September 1973-nearly a
© 1995. Washington Post Writers Group
- Wall St. Jrnl.; 2-17-95
On Dr. Foster
If President Clinton wants to get Dr.
pened to Judge Bork was manifestly a
Foster confirmed as Surgeon General,
bad thing. And whatever the blunders
the best move he could make would be
of Dr. Foster's handlers, we think it
to invite Pat Robertson to the White
would also be manifestly bad if the
House for a talk, or maybe a prayer.
same thing happened to him. Abortion
They'd probably both benefit, but
is the most contentious moral issue
we suspect it's the President who has
splitting the nation today; we all have
the most to learn-namely a little re-
to live together, pro-choicer and pro-
spect for people who are deeply
lifer alike, and at the very least we
against abortion. For underlying the
ought to be able to learn to agree to
White House mistakes on the Foster
disagree. It would be very unfortunate
nomination is one unthinking assump-
if the ultimate lesson of the Foster
tion: that anyone with anti-abortion
nomination is that no one who has
views is not serious, and can safely be
ever performed an abortion can ever
ignored. It never occurred to the
hold any political office, and that is
staffers who examined Dr. Foster's
precisely where the passions on both
record that anyone might wonder if he
sides seem to be leading.
had ever performed an abortion.
The shifting White House story on
It's not something that ever comes
the abortion issue has by now sacri-
up in their enlightened circles, after
ficed so much credibility that any as-
all; why should it matter to anyone
sessment has to start with the caveat
else? We commend
that more surprises may lie ahead.
to the White House
But assuming that the current account
vetters' attention
stands, it doesn't strike us as particu-
"The Bell Curve"
larly surprising that an obstetrician-
by Charles Murray
gynecologist in practice for 30 years
and Richard Herrn-
would have performed 39 abortions;
stein, who have
only a minority of such physicians
written 800 pages
would absolutely bar abortion, and a
on the subject not
rate of one or two a year suggests
of racial differ-
some sense of responsibility, scarcely
ences but of an
the use of abortion as a wholesale sub-
overeducated "cog-
stitute for birth control.
nitive elite" whose
Henry Foster
On issues such as research projects
members talk only to one another.
or sterilizations, too, there is also
Two decades of condescension, start-
plenty of room to disagree, but little ev-
ing with the judicial ukase of Roe v.
idence of moral recklessness. Moral
Wade reading things into the Constitu-
dilemmas are inherent to the practice
tion and out of the political process, is
of medicine, and physicians and their
precisely what has made the anti-
patients are entitled to some leeway in
abortion movement as militant as it is.
making their own decisions. And
In fact, the Religious Right has
judged on its whole rather than iso-
proved itself quite capable of compro-
lated incidents, Dr. Foster's career
mising, of accepting half a loaf for
has much to recommend it. It's clear
progress toward its goals. A great deal
that he doesn't believe that the best de-
has been made this week of the bar-
fense against teen pregnancy is con-
gaining position Ralph Reed of the
doms in the schools or masturbation
Christian Coalition announced for 1996
classes. Instead, in 1987, he started an
Republican nominations. But he and
impressive program called I Have a
his allies have campaigned for pro-
Future, encouraging teenagers in two
choice Republicans, such as Senators
Nashville housing projects to delay sex
Paul Cloverdale of Georgia and Kay
and childbearing. His work earned
Bailey Hutchison of Texas, who take
him an accolade from a pro-life Re-
their positions without belittling the
publican, President Bush, who named
opposite convictions. By contrast, pro-
him one of his "1,000 Points of Light."
life Democrat Governor Bob Casey
Given that about two-thirds of
wasn't even allowed to speak at his
black children are born into fatherless
party's convention.
families, there's also much to be said
With Dr. Foster in deep trouble, the
for Dr. Foster's race and gender. A
White House now seems intent on
black man preaching the abstinence
building further alienation by brand-
message would send a strong signal to
ing Dr. Foster's foes as "extremists,"
young men of all races about the re-
implicitly suggesting there's little dif-
sponsibilities of fatherhood. which of
ference between those who seek some
course bear on the widest range of
controls on abortion and the lunatics
other social problems. At least on the
who shoot up abortion clinics. The "ex-
record SO far. Dr. Foster's preponder-
tremism" charge comes easily, de-
ant message is pro-family.
spite President Clinton's own admis-
All parties-Dr. Foster. the White
sion that a pro-choice position is in-
House, the Religious Right-stand to
deed a litmus test for his judicial ap-
lose in the raucous debate that has de-
pointments. The President also says
veloped. It would be far better if the
it's unfair to judge Dr. Foster as a
President could find a way to treat the
"cardboard cutout." Sure, Mr. Presi-
pro-life forces with some respect and
dent, tell it to Robert Bork.
civility, and the Religious Right could
Our own problem, of course. is our
approach Dr. Foster with a measure of
profound conviction that what hap-
Christian charity.
Wash. Post; 2-16-95
THE RIGHT-TO-LIFE OF THE PARTY
ANTI-
CHOICE
ABORTION
G.O.P.
1995 HERBLOCK
N.Y. Times; 2-16-95
Abortion: The Doctors' Return
America's medical profession has been cowed
rics offer training in first-trimester abortions; even
by anti-abortion terrorists. Threats, bombings, ar-
fewer offer second-trimester training.
son and murders have forced many doctors who
The council's new standard exempts residents
perform abortions to run for their lives. That,
with moral or religious objection to abortion on the
coupled with indifference about teaching abortion
assumption that they will not be performing abor-
skills in medical school, has left many women
tions anyway. It also exempts institutions that
without needed services.
oppose abortion, but requires that they arrange for
But relief may be coming. The Accreditation
their residents' training at other hospitals. Failure
Council for Graduate Medical Education voted
to comply means losing the accreditation that
unanimously this week to require that, with certain
teaching hospitals need to qualify for Federal reim-
exceptions, prospective obstetricians and the hospi-
bursement for medical services.
tals that teach them include abortion training in
In marginalizing abortion services, the militant
their programs.
arm of the anti-abortion movement has marginal-
An American woman's right to abortion was
ized the medical needs of hundreds of thousands of
assured by the Supreme Court 22 years ago. But
American women. The council would correct that
constitutional right or no, women cannot get abor-
injustice by providing the woman who chooses
tions if there is nobody to perform them. At present,
pregnancy termination with the same level of medi-
only 12 percent of the residency programs in obstet-
cal care as the woman who does not.
TONY SNOW
CLARENCE PAGE
Wash. Times; 2-16-95
Temperature readings on Dr. Foster
which innovatively and effectively
encouraged young people to post-
pone sex until they have taken care
of life's more important steps, like
career and marriage.
Mr. Hatch does not care for Dr
Foster's advocacy of condom dis-
tribution in school-based clinics.
but Dr. Foster has more agreement
in the medical community and, as
near as I can tell. in mainstream
Bill
FOSTER
America on this issue than does
Mr. Hatch
Much has been made of how Mr
Clinton's staff members stumbled
with their response to criticism of
Dr. Foster. and they have apolo-
gized. But what about the bigger
question: Why should Dr. Foster's
having performed abortions be an
issue at all?
NOMINATION
Mr. Clinton ran as a pro-choice
candidate in a pro-choice party in
a year when moderate Republican
PROCESS
leaders tried unsuccessfully to pre-
vent their own extremists from
pushing an anti-abortion plank so
Draconian that it allowed for no
exceptions, even for rape and
incest.
r. Henry Foster Jr. has
In a 1981 article for the Florida
0 matter how much Capitol
Capitol Hill Republicans would
D
become the Greta Garbo
State University Law Review, Deb-
of American politics.
orah Hardin Ross identified the
N
Hill conservatives try to
prefer that Americans not think too
sugarcoat it, their attempts
much about that. Most Americans
Nobody knows quite what
missing ingredient in this logical
to block President Clin-
tell pollsters they do not like abor-
to make of the man. Depending
chain compassion. "Involuntari-
ton's nominee for surgeon general
tion (who would?) but they also do
upon who's doing the telling, the 61-
ly sterilized persons tend to per-
amount to a dangerous stigmatiza-
not want to see it made illegal again
year-old obstetrician-gynecologist
ceive sterilization as a symbol of
tion of every doctor who has ever
We abhor it, yet we want access to
is either an amiable country doc or
reduced or degraded status, of pun-
performed an abortion.
it.
the Mengele of the Meharry Med-
ishment synonymous in their minds
Sen. Phil Gramm, Texas Repub-
We also would like young people
ical School, a surgeon who steril-
with castration, and of self as deviant
lican, a possible presidential can-
to practice abstinence outside mar-
ized women of low intelligence and
and unworthy of parental rights."
didate, was pretty upfront about
riage. But, as one Atlanta mother
limited means.
Since then, sterilization has fall-
why he didn't like Henry W. Foster
said on CNN, "If it was your kid who
By now, everyone in America
en out of vogue as a way of holding
Jr. He said he does "not believe a
came down with AIDS, wouldn't
knows the president's nominee for
down unwanted pregnancies, and
you wish they had used a condom?"
surgeon general has performed abor-
abortion has taken its place. In a
Let's hear it for good ol' Ameri-
tions and that he has enormous diffi-
public-relations bungle worthy of
can common sense.
culty explaining when, how many
the White House, the American
Abortion is not a
We Americans are like Bill Clin-
and why. His performances have
College of Obstetrics and Gynecol-
ton. We want to have the tough
been so embarrassing that the admin-
ogy voted on Valentine's Day to
pleasant thought, but
questions both ways. We want life,
istration has tried to slap the "extrem-
make medical schools teach abor-
and we also want choice. We want
ist" label on anybody who tries to pry
tion procedures to all obstetrics stu-
there are a lot of
freedom, and we also want control.
a straight answer from the man.
dents. Institutions that refuse will
Despite all this, Dr. Foster seems
risk losing their accreditation. In
procedures
We look to Washington for leader-
ship and guidance and, instead, see
to have enjoyed a perfectly normal
the future, students who wish to
doctors perform
politicians of both-parties running
career - which is precisely the
obey the Hippocratic Oath will be
to hide in the tall grass of political
problem. The triumph of wonder
treated like "extremists," and every
that are not
rhetoric.
drugs and gosh-golly machines has
potential Ob/Gyn will have to mas-
pleasant to talk
On this issue, they can run. but
transformed medicine from a heal-
ter a procedure performed by only
they can't hide. If Mr. Clinton caves
ing art into a form of gadget-happy
about 13 percent of the profession.
about at the dinner
in to pressure from the anti-abor-
mysticism. Doctors no longer feel
But the field of reproductive
tion, anti-condom extremists, he
constrained just to fix broken body
medicine abounds in surprises.
table.
will only enhance their credibility
parts: They have begun mulling over
Technology soon will let families
and discredit those who hoped his
more fundamental questions, like
use in vitro fertilization to cus-
administration would represent a
who how to fix up the human race.
tomize their babies by picking out
reasonable middle ground.
Dr. Foster has ridden this wave.
embryos with genetic characteris-
doctor who has performed abor-
Worse, the Foster flap stigma-
Late last week, the administration
tics. So while Dr. Foster cleans the
tions as a matter of routine practice
tizes a man of high character and a
revealed that he performed a series
bottom of the gene pool, his col-
could bring Americans together"
long record of impeccable public
of involuntary sterilizations -per-
leagues have begun to manipulate
on issues of medical policy. Oh? Dr.
service simply because he per-
haps hundreds - on retarded
what goes in as well.
Foster could hardly do worse than
formed some abortions. Abortion is
women between 1965 and 1973.
Henry Foster's backers are right:
Mr. Gramm,
not a pleasant thought. but there are
Clintonites quickly explained that
He has been vilified by people who
Since when is a surgeon general
a lot of procedures doctors perform
everybody in the obstetrical pro-
don't know him, and he deserves a
supposed to be free of controversy?
that are not pleasant to talk about at
fession was doing that sort of thing
chance to restore his good name
Ronald Reagan's quite popular sur-
the dinner table.
back in the 1970s.
But members of Congress have an
geon general, Dr. C. Everett Koop,
A decent society will always feel
But that's just not true. Although
obligation to demand answers -
shocked fellow conservatives with
a certain moral discomfort with
the U.S. Supreme Court upheld invol-
about his career in the operating
some of his views about sex educa-
abortion. But it should also feel con-
untary sterilization in a 1927 case
room, about the Meharry Medical
tion for children, yet most people
siderable discomfort about driving
involving a retarded 18-year-old
School, which lost its accreditation
appreciated his candor.
those women and, in too many
mother in Virginia, physicians began
when he was in charge, and about
Dr. Foster is being criticized for
cases, girls who are going to be
shying away from the practice of
the ethics of a profession that seems
his alleged lack of candor in dis-
seeking abortions anyway into the
eugenics after Adolf Hitler gave
to be moving unchecked into a new
closing how many abortions he has
hands of back-alley abortionists.
playing God a bad name. By the
age of eugenics.
performed during almost 40 years
A decent society should also feel
early 1970s, all but a handful of states
The position of surgeon general
of medical practice. At first he said
considerable discomfort about stig-
had outlawed or restricted the prac-
has become a silly thing. Ever since
fewer than a dozen, but, after
matizing a doctor simply because
tice of removing a woman's repro-
C. Everett Koop came to Washing-
checking his records, revised that
he or she has performed abortions.
ductive organs without her permis-
ton. people in the office have
number to 39. Organized anti-abor-
That's just a short step away from
sion. Furthermore, doctors and
focused on three things: condoms,
tion activists alleged he performed
stigmatizing all doctors who per-
philosophers had mounted a furious
cigarette smoke and military un:-
many more. Is one enough? Is 500
form abortions, which, when you
debate about the propriety of per-
forms stolen from the prop room of
too many? Even if Dr. Foster's orig-
think about it, is just a "lite," clean-
forming such operations even with
"The Love Boat." The Foster hear-
inal estimate had been correct, it
hands version of the criminal
the consent of the person involved.
ings, if handled like an inquiry and
would not have silenced the rage
"logic" that drives certain self-
The few who still performed
not an inquisition. offer a chance to
from the radical right, or calmed
appointed baby-savers to shoot
complimentary hysterectomies
relieve the tedium. Inquiring minds
Mr. Clinton's nervousness
abortion doctors and clinic work-
explained their handiwork with a
might want to shift attention from
Others claim the question is
ers.
pretty standard argument: Retard-
abortion to the broader question
"credibility" or "morality" Sen.
Most of Dr. Foster's tormentors
ed people cannot delay gratification
Whatever happened to a doctor who
Orrin Hatch. Utah Republican,
will deny they would have anything
as well as the rest of us. They are
was content just to heal someone?
chairman of the Senate Judiciary
to do with outlaw violence. That's
easily exploited by sexual preda-
Committee, says the nation doesn't
basically true. They only help pro-
tors. They make poor parents
want a surgeon general who advo-
vide the atmosphere for it.
because they can't cope with the
Tony Snow is a Washington-based
cates "permissiveness." Yet, Dr.
stresses of handling young chil-
editorial page columnist for the
Foster received a "Point of Light"
dren. Therefore, fix them rather
Detroit News and is nationally syn-
award from President Bush for his
Clarence Page is a nationally
than dooming their kids to misery
dicated
"I Have a Future" youth program,
syndicated columnist
Balt. Sun; 2-16-95
The Foster Nomination
President Clinton may have bungled and stum-
not silent. Sen. Arlen Specter. R-Pa., a long-shot
bled into a winning issue - the abortion contro-
contender for the GOP nomination. says he is pre-
versy that divides the Republican Party - in nom-
pared to "go to the mat" on the principle that a
inating Dr. Henry Foster as surgeon general. If the
doctor who has performed abortions, as Dr. Foster
Republican Senate rejects the Tennessee educator-
has, should not be disqualified for the surgeon gen-
physician, Mr. Clinton could come out a winner
eralship. Rep. Nancy Johnson. R-Conn., the wife of
politically - if the public perceives this was an
an ob-gyn. objects to the "narrowly based, mean-
"abortion vote." not a vote against the White House.
spirited" campaign against Dr. Foster.
The Foster nomination is turning out to be the
Such Republican voices are very much the ex-
first real skirmish of the 1996 presidential election.
ception. But there are GOP legislators who dislike
Although the Clinton White House did its usual
having their party defined by the anti-abortionists
sloppy job in vetting Dr. Foster's background, it is
and fear the revival of an issue that helped sink
awakening to the fact that the Republicans have
George Bush in 1992. Economic conservatives
more to lose than the Democrats in refocusing na-
would prefer to keep congressional energy focused
tional attention on abortion. Says Secretary of
on passage of the House Republican Contract with
Health and Human Services Donna Shalala: "We're
America, which, revealingly. is silent on abortion.
happy to take them on on the choice issue."
Instead, it vows to discourage teen-age pregnancy
While the Republican Party is under pressure
by curtailing welfare to young mothers.
from right-to-life groups that inserted an anti-abor-
Dr. Foster, president of Nashville's Meharry
tion plank in its 1992 platform. and is likely to do
Medical College, has devoted his career to fighting
so again, the American public refuses to go along.
the scourge of teen-age pregnancy. That he and the
A CBS poll last month indicated 75 percent of the
White House underestimated the number of abor-
Americans favor some form of a woman's right to
tions he performed (39) is mainly a reflection of this
choose. Thirty-eight percent said abortion should
administration's continuing poor staff work.
be generally available; 37 percent agreed within
This newspaper has deplored White House mis-
tighter limits. Only 23 percent sided with the offi-
management and questioned the political wisdom
cial GOP stand in favor of strict prohibition.
of choosing an obstetrician for the surgeon-general
At the 1992 Republican convention in Houston,
post. But now that the choice has been made and
delegates favoring limited abortion rights were de-
the lines have been drawn. President Clinton must
nied even an open floor debate. Yet today they are
see this nomination through to the end.
MARY McGRORY
Wash. Post; 2-16-95
A Lesson in Spin
S
peaking of sticky nominations, a
the whole hearing and treated every
pressing topic since Henry W.
witness as if he were a talk-show host with
Foster Jr. was chosen for surgeon
a fractious audience.
general, a book about Clarence Thomas's
During the hearings, the Republicans
confirmation provides the manual.
met constantly, and in the critical hours
"Strange Justice," by Jane Mayer and Jill
when Anita Hill had calmly stated her
Abramson, shows how George Bush's
accusations, Judiciary committee senators
team had its hands full with his curious
helped rehearse Thomas for his rebuttal,
choice for the Supreme Court even before
and before the cameras, smeared and
Anita Hill reluctantly hurled her dynamite
intimidated her with reckless disregard of
charges.
the political consequences to themselves.
The case climaxed in a gender clash
Sen. Arlen Specter (Pa.), thought of as r
that reverberated through American
moderate, thundered threats of perjury-
politics for one election cycle. Hill was a
and infuriated female voters. Sen. Orrin G.
conscript and ultimately a casualty in this
Hatch (Utah) accused Hill of lifting
war between the sexes. Clarence
salacious details from best-selling thrillers
Thomas, a beneficiary of affirmative
and Sen. Alan K. Simpson (Wyo.) read out-
action, bit the hand that fed him, came
crank mail. Thomas was confirmed.
across as an odd duck, but the president's
No effort of such magnitude would be
men resolved to spin him into office and
appropriate in the case of Foster, a
they did.
gynecologist-obstetrician who can't count.
Mayer and Abramson lay out in riveting
very well. Congress is furious with Clinton
detail how they did it. In the weeks before
for proposing his nomination, not because
anyone had heard of Anita Hill, the White
he isn't qualified or because he is not
House prepared for the hearings before
suited to the work of discouraging teenage
the Senate Judiciary Committee as if for
pregnancy. It's just that the varying
war. Nothing so marks Republicans as
numbers catapulted members into another
their genius for organizing, and their
free-for-all on the subject that sets their
take-no-prisoners approach to problems
teeth on edge, abortion.
that Democrats leave to chance. A czar
Foster has spent much of his life in an
was appointed. Kenneth Duberstein,
enlightened program that offers teenagers
onetime Reagan chief of staff, demon
the chance to do something other than
strategist and possessor of the valuable
have babies they can't take care of. He
shamelessness that permits airy
founded "I Have a Future" at Meharry
dismissals of major constitutional crises
Medical College 17 years ago, and it has a.
like the Iran-contra scandal, called the
high success rate. It was designated a
shots.
"Point of Light" by Bush. Foster preaches
Duberstein knew that Bush's claim that
abstinence.
Thomas was the "best qualified" for the
The doctor's nomination was botched by
high bench was piffle, and that it would
the grown-ups in the administration, not
take fancy footwork to get an
the children so often blamed for bumbles.
ultra-conservative black through the
They managed to convey the idea that the
Democratic Senate. But his game is public
doctor is casual about abortion, and so
relations, not ideology, and he set about
changed the debate from choice to
countering every move of his enemies
abortion. It was a rumpus that the
with a coup that often ended up on Page 1
president, or any Democrat, did not need
twinned with the hostile story.
A chastened White House has ended the
For instance, when it became apparent
hapless co-directorship of Health and
that the NAACP would not endorse
Human Services Secretary Donna E.
Thomas, the Bush team staged a march
Shalala and White House Chief of Staff
on Washington by friends, neighbors and
Leon E. Panetta. Deputy Chief of Staff
relatives from Thomas's wretched
Erskine Bowles is in charge, and John
boyhood home in Pin Point, Ga. The
Podesta, survivor of other near-death
subject was changed from Thomas's
crises, is full-time on the case. Alumni of
skimpy legal record to his pitiable
the Nashville "I Have a Future" program
background. Duberstein also helped fund
will be brought here to lobby, and so will
and finance other "grass-roots"
medical colleagues. Foster has started his
organizations, took out full-page
Senate rounds.
newspaper ads and activated the Christian
Podesta IS hoping that when the time
Right. Thomas was rigorously prepped by
comes, Democrats on the Labor
a Justice Department lawyer.
Committee will develop "the same level of
By contrast, then-Senate Judiciary
support" that Thomas got from Judiciary
Chairman Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.)
Republicans. This will require Democrats
held a single strategy meeting. stopped the
to be single-minded, something they are
answering of the most critical question of
not good at.
What people are saying about the surgeon general nomination
USA Today; 2-15-95
'Stupid' to let abortion derail Foster
NORMAN A. LOCKMAN, associate
editor, The (Wilmington, Del.) News
Journal: "Liberals have done plenty of
stupid things, but supporting abortion
rights isn't one of them. It will be stupid
if, based on the abortion bugaboo, con-
PUSH
servatives pass up an opportunity to
have, as surgeon general, a man who is
likely to push the most important agenda
for young people today: sexual absti-
nence when immature and sexual re-
?
sponsibility when mature."
THE HUNTSVILLE (Ala.) TIMES in an
editorial: "What's fascinating about this
squabble is not the power play between
Democrats and Republicans; it's the tug
of war over the heart of the Republican
NOMINATION
Party. What happens during the (Henry)
PROCESS
Foster confirmation process is shaping
up to be a bellwether of just how much
By Clay Jones, Daily Leader, Brookhaven, Miss.
clout ultraconservatives have. And the
answer to that will say a lot about the politics of the per-
JACK GERMOND AND JULES WITCOVER, syndicat-
son the party will nominate for president in 1996."
ed columnists: "The safe thing would have been for the
president to choose instead some state public health offi-
CLARENCE PAGE, syndicated columnist: "A decent so-
cial with a different area of expertise; nobody demon-
ciety should
feel considerable discomfort about stig-
strates against orthopedists. The irony is that things
matizing a doctor simply because he or she has per-
seemed to have been picking up for Clinton. His poll rat-
formed abortions. That's just a short step away from
ings were improved, he had shown strength and leader-
stigmatizing all doctors who perform abortions, which,
ship on Mexico, trade with China and the baseball strike.
when you think about it, is just a 'lite,' clean-hands ver-
But now another case of clumsiness in the White House
sion of the criminal logic that
has given aid and comfort to his enemies - and put Dr.
drives certain self-appointed
Foster's nomination in some jeopardy."
baby-savers to shoot abortion
doctors and clinic workers. Most
LOS ANGELES TIMES in an editorial: "If Clinton be-
of Foster's tormentors will deny
lieved in Foster enough to nominate him, the fact that as
they would have anything to do
a gynecologist he performed legal abortions should not
with outlaw violence. That's ba-
cause presidential support to evaporate. And the GOP
sically true. They only help pro-
should recall its 1992 convention, which obsessed about
vide the atmosphere for it."
social issues like abortion and homosexuality, and re-
BOSTON HERALD in an edito-
member, that it helped clear the way for Clinton's elec-
tion."
rial: "Clinton has an astounding
capacity for not learning from
EXAMINER (San Francisco) in an editorial: "If Fos-
PAGE
his mistakes.
What this na-
ter is rejected because he defends abortion rights, then
tion really doesn't need is anoth-
it's clear that the Republican Party has a major problem.
er causist who will use the surgeon general's office to pro-
If Clinton backs down, however, the Democratic presi-
mote his position on divisive questions. Public health
dent will again look like a spineless jellyfish."
should transcend politics. Pity Clinton can't see this."
THE WASHINGTON TIMES in an editorial: "The Clin-
THE UNION LEADER (Manchester, N.H.) in an edito-
tons and their team do have a lengthy record of carefully
rial: "Relatively few doctors perform abortions, but Clin-
crafting statements so as to hide, obfuscate and mislead.
ton calculatingly chose one who did, which information
If Mr. Clinton thought Dr. Foster's qualifications were
the White House initially withheld from Congress.
so overwhelming that he could overlook the fact that the
Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole says that the Foster
doctor had performed a large number of abortions, fair
nomination is 'in some difficulty.' That's all? Given Clin-
enough. But he and the doctor should be willing to make
ton's duplicity and all that is now known about Dr. Foster,
that case forthrightly. Legalese in the service of creating
the nomination should have as much chance of survival
a false impression just won't cut it. This nomination
in a Republican Senate as a fetus in an abortuary."
shouldn't go forward."
Peno Gazette-Journal;
2-15-95
Another Clinton nominee caught in a battle
Surgeon general: White House gets failing grade for homework, preparation of Foster
hey did it again. The White House fumbled
of another great White House flaw: It's exceptionally
T
another nomination. Today it's Dr. Henry
disorganized. mirroring the rambling ways of Clinton
Foster. Jr.. the administration's appointment to
himself.
surgeon general. But there have been at least three or
It's enough to make a person want to throw up his
four others in President Clinton's two years in office
and her hands and holler. which is what Democrats
- enough for the administration to lose all credibility
increasingly are doing. More and more Democrats find
among both Republicans and Democrats. Three or
it hard to stick with Clinton when he continues to
four nominees shot down is too many for the folks
serve up slop like this.
running the highest office in the land.
There are no excuses for this gaffe. The White House
It's become a pattern: The White House settles on a
should have seen the abortion question coming,
name, then fails to do thorough background checks and
especially concerning a nominee who's an obstetrician-
does a poor job of preparing the nominee for the
gynecologist. What OB-GYN specialist has not had to
scrutiny that is sure to follow in a now highly partisan
deal with abortion? The administration should have
appointment process.
ruled out any and all abortion-related questions.
What are we to make of this? It's becoming crystal
Personal reservations about abortion aside. it is a legal
clear. The Clinton team is too young. unpolished and
procedure in this country.
inexperienced in the ways of Washington to know how
Now the White House's Keystone Cops are trying to
to go about its job. That is so even with the addition of
save the nomination but, in the end, Foster may have
more experienced hands such as chief of staff Leon
to fall on his scalpel to save the commander-in-chief
Panetta. This old criticism won't and can't die because
from further embarrassment.
60# POO8 02:55PM 02-14-95
3620 264 212
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1995
NEWYORK POST
Founded by Alexander Hamilton in 1801
RUPERT MURDOCH Editor-in-Chief
KEN CHANDLER
MARTIN SINGERMAN
Editor
Publisher
JOHN CASSIDY
ERIC BREINDEL
Deputy Editor
Editorial Page Editor
America's oldest continuously published daily newspaper
Abort the Foster nomination
After ditching one controversial nomi-
ob-gyn as surgeon general, so be it.
nation after another, President Clinton
America will survive the naming of a
apparently has decided to stand fast be-
doctor whose professional history doesn't
hind his pick for surgeon general.
include engagement with an issue that
This may please Republicans who rel-
continues to roil the nation.
ish the prospect of an embarrassing
While some public-policy confronta-
nomination fight over Dr. Henry Foster
tions are inevitable, others don't have to
Jr. the obstetrician-gynecologist who
take place. It's possible to accept the
can't quite remember how many abor-
reality of legal abortion without a whole-
tions perhaps one, perhaps 700
sale dismissal of the moral concerns that
he's performed And it may please Dem-
animate the pro-life movement.
ocrats who'd like to make the Foster
Clinton - who holds that abortion
nomination a battle between pro-choice
should be "legal, safe and rare" can't
and pro-life forces; such folk will en-
have wanted a second controversy over
deavor to focus the debate on abortion
the post of surgeon general, having fi-
and limit discussion of the lack of candor
nally rid himself of masturbation in-
that seems to have afflicted both Foster
struction proponent Joycelyn Elders.
and the White House last week
Dr. Foster offers no positive quality or
Actually, the Foster nomination is an
experience that can't be found in another
exceedingly poor idea.
nominee with a less controversial record.
It's true that most Americans either
Pressing the Foster nomination demon-
recognize a right to abortion as guaran-
strates nothing other than a stunning
teed by the Constitution or believe — as
indifference on the part of the White
do we - that abortion needs to remain
House to folks who are profoundly
legal, even absent the existence of any
queasy about Foster's work both in the
such constitutional right.
realm of abortion and - it now turns
It's worth remembering, however, that
out- sterilization.
tens of millions in this country find the
Notwithstanding Vice President Gore's
procedure morally repugnant. A decent
pointless call to arms yesterday - Gore
respect for their sensibilities would mili-
called for a battle against "extremists" -
tate against appointing a chief public-
we'd urge the President to spare himself
health officer who's carried out abor-
a fight he doesn't need and withdraw the
tions. If this means not appointing an
Foster nomination.
80°d
212 264 3620
HEALTH AND HUMAN SVCS
15:07
Balt. Sun; 2-14-95
Foster nomination exposes
splits in GOP over abortion
2A
WASHINGTON - Maybe the
Clinton White House stumbled unin-
tentionally into an abortion debate
with the Republicans on the nomi-
nation of Dr. Henry W. Foster Jr. to
be surgeon general. But maybe it's
not the worst thing that could hap-
pen to a president in political trouble.
Some Democrats like Sens. Jo-
seph R. Biden Jr. and Barbara A.
Mikulski are declaring the White
JACK
JULES
House the gang that can't shoot
&
straight for nominating an obstetri-
GERMOND
WITCOVER
cian-gynecologist who makes an
easy target for abortion foes. Having
to confront the issue. however, could
Gramm. about as strong against
also be a headache for a Republican
abortion as anyone could be, side-
Party increasingly torn over abor-
stepped furiously on David Brink-
tion.
ley's ABC interview show Sunday
In all the heat generated by dis-
when asked point-blank if he would
cussion of the issue and shootings at
reject as a running mate anyone who
abortion clinics, public opinion in
supported abortion rights. "Tm not
the country remains solidly for legal
going to start setting out parameters
abortion.
as to what one item 1 might exclude
A CBS News poll last month
somebody on," he said.
found that only one in five respond-
The Foster nomination should
ents now wants abortion outlawed.
not have much at all to do with the
President Clinton's support for abor-
1996 presidential picture. But it has
tions that are "legal. safe and rare"
put on the front burner the issue of
obviously squares with that polling
abortion that most of the 1996 Re-
evidence. So the apparent White
publican aspirants would prefer to
House decision to stand firmly be-
avoid, clearly excepting Buchanan
hind the Foster nomination is not as
who sees it as a vote-getter for him.
foolhardy as 1t may appear.
at least in the party.
For one thing. doing so portrays
As long as the Foster nomination
Clinton for once as decisive and
remains before the Senate, and Re-
steadfast. a posture too seldom con-
publican leaders like Gramm contin-
veyed since taking office as he has
ue to fight it. the GOP will be putting
struggled to establish an image of
a stern anti-abortion face on the
strong leadership.
party that does not square with how
At the same time. casting the Re-
the polls say Americans feel about
publican opposition as right-wing ex-
the issue. That suits the White
tremism at work spotlights internal
House fine. as Vice President Al Gore
divisions within the GOP over abor-
indicated in Nashville, Tenn., yester-
tion that by 1996 could be a serious
day by declaring. at Foster's side:
detriment to the party's presidential
We are not going to let the extrem-
nominee.
ists defeat this man."
While the White House was cir-
It's small wonder that the White
cling the wagons around Foster over
House now wants the argument over
the weekend. prominent Republi-
Foster to be waged not in terms of
cans were revisiting. at the Conser-
White House incompetence in
vative Political Action Conference.
screening him but rather of the legal-
their commitment to the anti-abor
Ity of his behavior as a medical man
tion position that was SO combustible
and his record as a crusader against
at their 1992 convention in Houston
leen-age pregnancy. under partisan
Ralph Reed. executive director of
attacks by Republican fanatics.
the Christian Coalition. served notice
It appears to have dawned on the
that evangelicals and Catholics
White House that in Henry Foster
would boycott any Republican ticket
they have no back-alley abortionist
that bore a presidential or
but a specialist in the birth process
vice-presidential nominee who sup-
who can be defended on the merits
ported abortion rights
of his career. and who gives Clinton
And prospective 1996 candidate
a very strong basis for taking the
Patrick J. Buchanan defended reten.
stand on abortion that he has long
tion of the anti-abortion plank in the
vowed to be his.
party's 1996 platform. "Anvone who
If. in doing SO. the president can
tries to rip that plank out of the plat-
strengthen his own unsteady leader-
form will have to come over Pat Bu-
ship image, and point up Republican
chanan." said the party's Mr. Tough
political discomfort with the issue. SO
Guy to thunderous applause
much the better. But he'd better not
Reed's warning particularly has
cave in on this one. or no amount of
already caused some of the other
GOP division on abortion is likely to
1996 hopefuls to squirm. Sen. Phil
help him by 1996.
form your first abortion.
Comment
The message being sent by the
attack on Foster is unmistakable.
Doctors beware. Performing abortions
ON THE NATION
may expose you to political indignity
L.A. Times; 2-14-95
and humiliation. It is dangerous to
Nomination Is
your career. as well as your health.
Depending on the number you per-
form. and the circumstances. provid-
Latest Battle in
ing women a medical service that is
protected by the Constitution may
disqualify you from serving your
Abortion War
country.
It is the last message that responsi-
ble leaders should be sending.
In 83% of America's counties. there
By Susan Estrich
At
are already no clinics or hospitals
willing to perform abortions. Second-
trimester abortions are even harder to
T
he nomination of Dr. Henry W.
Foster Jr., President Clinton's
come by-even if the mother is seri-
choice for Surgeon General. is in
ously ill. or the fetus could not survive.
trouble. It is in trouble for only one
The number of hospitals offering
reason: abortion. Over the course of a
abortions dropped 50% from 1977 to
38-year career. Foster delivered
1988. In 1976. more than 25% of resi-
10,000 babies. He founded a nationally
dency programs in obstetrics and
recognized program to curb teen-age
gynecology required that doctors
pregnancy. And. yes, he performed
learn to perform abortions. In 1992.
abortions.
only 12% of the programs trained
doctors to do first-trimester abortions.
Last week, the distinguished doctor,
and only 7% trained them to do
in an effort to save his nomination, was
second-trimester abortions.
forced to detail on national television
just how many abortions he
One-third of the programs in this
performed-was it fewer than a dozen.
country train doctors to provide
as he originally thought; or closer to
reproductive care without even being
39, as a later review of decades of
offered the option of learning how to
practice suggested.
perform abortions.
This debate is a disgrace. It
Bulletproof vests have become a
shouldn't matter how many abortions
routine item in the budgets of abortion
Foster performed. He IS a gynecolo-
clinics. The costs of security push up
gist. Abortion is legal. It is a patient's
the costs of abortion. The routine
choice.
harassment drives doctors away and
This is a witch hunt. and the real
forces patients to go through hell just
target is women's rights. Twenty
to get in the door. In a recent study by
years after the U.S. Supreme Court's
the Fund for a Feminist Majority.
more than one-fourth of the nation's
decision in Roe vs. Wade making
abortion legal. it has become increas-
abortion clinics reported receiving
ingly difficult and dangerous to have
death threats. There are not enough
an abortion in America. The religious
federal marshals to protect them.
right may have lost the battle in the
Foster's nomination should have
courts. but they are fighting It out on
been easy. There is a national consen-
the streets-and they re winning.
sus that teen-age pregnancy is a major
The current attack on Foster may
threat to our future. Until the anti-
hurt the Republicans politically-by
abortion forces started up. Foster had
the support of both his home state's
exposing their dependence on the
religious right. It may end up helping
Republican senators-including one
the President politicaliy-by giving
who is himself a physician.
him a popular fight to take to the
If the anti-abortion forces can do
Republicans Speaker of the House
this to Foster. if they can put him on
Newt Gingrich (R-Ga doesn't need
the defensive. force him to defend
this fight-it doesn't further his "con-
quotes out of context. embroil him in a
tract with America" 11 doesn't help
fight over just how many abortions he
him with the middle class in short It
performed and why. they can destroy
dpesn't make much sense for the GOP
anybody.
in traditional partisan terms
Foster is a distinguished doctor. and
I But It makes perfec: sense as part of
no one has raised any serious objection
the religious right's generalle wat
to his qualifications other than his
against abortion This :- how they win
track record on abortion. It is time for
Floster IS today's foi. Even if be 15
the majority in this country that sup-
ultimately confirmed the damage
ports Roe vs. Wade to stand up to
dpne
those who would turn that constitu-
A constitutional right to choose
tional right into a hollow promise. If
abortion doesn't mean much If vo.:
not now. when?
can't find a doctor whole perform one
No doctor should be to per.
Susan Estrich is a law professor at
form abortions if It conflicts with his o:
USC
her belief- But you shoulds have to
be a here-ot d be d gyne-
cologist You shouldr have to give up
hopes of public service when you per-
E. J. Dionne Jr.
Abortion creates all these contortions
Republican Party.
partly because it's a hard issue. As
There ought to be no pretending:
Wash. Post; 2-14-95
Charles Krauthammer pointed out re-
These are difficult issues. It's easy to see
cently, majorities of Americans think s-
how people of various philosophical onen-
Stopped by
multaneously that abortion should remain
tations can think their way to either side
legal and that it is wrong. But abortion is
of the abortion question-or, as Krau-
also difficult because it raises questions
thammer notes, to both sides at once.
Abortion
that go directly to the contradictions in
But please, dear politicians, the next time
what both Republicans and Democrats
you want to preach about the joys of
claim they stand for. Both parties love to
community and the urgency of "good
invoke "community" as an ideal. But
values," how about being a trifle explicit
Most politicians hate the issue. Most
neither party is willing to pay much of a
about the terrible choices that underlie
voters don't like to think about it. Yet
price on behalf of "community" when its
the soothing words? Don't ask of Foster
the matter of abortion just keeps coming
imperatives come into conflict with other
at his hearings what you're not willing to
back, gnawing in quite different ways at
aspects of party doctrine.
ask of yourselves.
the consciences of both political parties.
In nominating Foster. the Clinton ad-
The most obvious manifestation of the
ministration thought it had found some-
power of the issue is the controversy
one whose story and record matched the
surrounding Dr. Henry Foster, President
country's desire to temper the rights
Clinton's choice to be surgeon general.
acquired over the past two decades (on
The fact that Foster performed abortions
abortion, for example) with a sense of
made him instantly unacceptable to the
responsibility rooted in old-fashioned vir-
right-to-life movement. The fact that the
tues. Foster supported birth control ef-
administration and the doctor seemed to
forts, but he did not pretend that birth
miscount exactly how many abortions he
control and sex education on their own
had performed moved the fight toward
would solve the teen pregnancy problem.
matters with which Washington is more
He has long argued, correctly, that the
comfortable-"credibility," "bungled
values and aspirations of individuals mat-
nominations," "poor staff work" etc. But
ter far more than the mechanics of
none of this would have mattered if the
human sexuality.
miscounted procedure had involved, say,
But no one in the administration went
appendectomies. The issue here is abor-
much beyond this appealing story line-
tion.
by asking much about what this Ob-Gyn
Abortion has also arisen as a concern
physician's practice was on abortion-
in the welfare reform debate. Some very
and so Clinton is smack up against the
conservative Republicans, notably Rep.
great tension in the Democratic creed:
Henry Hyde, are dead set against a
that Democrats are big on "community"
Republican proposal to eliminate welfare
when what's at stake involves sharing
assistance to mothers who have children
money across classes or healing racial
before their 18th year. Hyde and the
wounds, but become staunch individual-
right-to-life movement worry, reason-
ists when matters turn toward sexuality
ably, that government will thereby huge-
or abortion rights. Now, Clinton has to
ly increase the pressure for abortion.
stick with Foster because not to do so
Then, at last weekend's Conservative
would make the president look incon-
Political Action Conference, Ralph Reed,
stant, as be has on other nominations,
the executive director of the Christian
while alienating the powerful pro-choice
Coalition, warned that evangelical Chris-
wing of his coalition.
tians and antiabortion Catholics would
But the Republicans have their own
abandon the Republicans if the party
contradictions to deal with. The Republi-
nominated a supporter of abortion rights
cans talk a good communitarian game
for either president or vice president.
when they are giving sermons about
Reed's statement was significant because
"values," but their individualism trumps
for the past two years, he has played
those values whenever they conflict with
down abortion and stressed concerns-
free market economics. The family is a
school vouchers, low taxes, balanced
wonderful institution, they say, but most
budgets-that appeal across much of the
Republicans fought against giving the
Republican spectrum.
mothers of newborns 12 weeks of un-
Indeed, in an editorial-page article in
paid leave. Motherhood is fine as long as
Monday's Wall Street Journal-printed
it doesn't interfere with the prerogatives
after he issued his warning-Reed was
of employers. It's also fine, as Hyde
anomalously arguing that all was well
implicitly notes, unless it interferes with
between social and economic conserva-
efforts to cut welfare.
tives inside the Republican Party and
On abortion, the Republicans have
that Republicans could remain "civil" in
won loyal support from right-to-lifers for
disagreeing about "issues like abortion."
years, but party strategists constantly
One of two things is true: (1) Reed
speak of the need to play the issue down,
regards threats to bolt his party as lying
lest pro-choice Republicans and indepen-
within his definition of "civility;" or more
dents be "alienated." Many Republicans
likely, (2) Reed knows how strongly
seem to want pro-life votes without hav-
many evangelicals feel against abortion
ing to do anything of substance to earn
and he has to pursue a two-step on the
them. The most the Clintonites can hope
issue (sometimes playing it down, some-
for from the Foster nomination is that
times playing it up) so he can try to
the longer the controversy goes on, the
broker peace in his party without looking
more it will expose this tension inside the
like a sellout to his followers.
FEB-16-95 THU 11:06
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FAX NO. 3123534144
P. 02/05
STATE JOURNAL REGISTER (IL) ; February 14, 1995
A bungled nomination
ON PAPER. Dr. Henry Foster is
conflicting statements on the
an ideal choice to become sur-
number of abortions he has per-
geon general.
formed. Foster has managed to
At a time when teen pregnancy
compromise his own credibility.
in:America has reached epidem-
The repeated revisions of Fos-
ic levels, Foster is noted for his
ter's abortion record appear to be
success in encouraging young
less a matter of evasiveness than
people to delay sexual activity.
sloppiness - by the Clinton team
The program he directed in Nash-
as.well as the unsuspecting nomi-
ville's housing projects earned
nee. How the White House failed
praise from liberals and conser-
to get the facts straight on a sub-
vatives alike. Above all, Dr. Fos-
ject as politically sensitive as
ter preaches abstinence - which
abortion is hard to fathom.
is precisely what unmarried teen-
agers need to hear.
THAT SAID, the 39 abortions
Yet despite his strong creden-
Foster performed over a period
tials, Foster's nomination is in
of three decades - if. indeed.
deep trouble on Capitol Hill
that is the final figure - certainly
should not disqualify him from
AND THE BLAME for this sorry
becoming surgeon general. De-
state of affairs rests squarely on
spite the loud protests of pro-life
the shoulders of the Clinton ad-
activists. Foster is not an abortion
ministration and the nominee
clinic doctor. He simply is an ob-
himself.
stetrician-gynecologist who has
By being less than straightfor-
performed a small number of
ward about Foster's very limited
abortions, some of which were to
history of performing abortions,
protect the life of the mother.
the White House misled and an-
Dr. Foster has a message that
gered key lawmakers. That in-
America's teenagers should hear.
cludes even traditional Demo-
But considering now badly the
cratic allies, such as Sen. Joseph
White House has bungled his
Biden of Delaware, who has
nomination; it looks as though
urged that the nomination be
that message may never get
withdrawn. Worse, by offering
through.
FEB-17-95 FRI 16:19
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P.08/09
MILWAUKEE SENTINEL:
February 14, 1995 EDITORIAL
Political blunder
Foster nomination gives 'extreme right'
ammunition in its fight against abortion
The White House's stated determination to stand
staff screw-up and turn it into a national
behind President Clinton's embattled nomination of
referendum on abortion rights.
Henry Foster Jr. as surgeon general should remind
many of the Lani Guinier debacle.
Cabinet members and high-ranking presidential
staff members fanned out Sunday, brazenly using
Faced with assertions that Guinier was an
the television interview shows to create the
enthusiastic advocate of quotas - she was branded
impression that the opposition to Foster is basically
the "quota queen" by her critics - Clinton
an extension of efforts to reverse Roe vs. Wade and
professed support for her nomination as head of the
subvert a woman's right to choose.
Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, then
1
cut her loose when the political fires rose to
A staff foul-up? Yes, they said.
unacceptably high temperatures.
But more than that, they said, it's the "extreme
There was a political price for his continued
right," attempting to make abortion illegai.
support that this vacillating president was
Trouble is, there never could have been that spin
ce
unwilling to pay.
if Clinton's birelings had done a professional
es
The nomination of Foster, who has performed
screening job.
abortions, bears two noticeable similarities to the
Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.) summed it up
Guinier appointment: sloppy staff work and a
when he called Clinton's choice "a political blunder
background that, had it been known to Clinton,
in the extreme" and hinted he might vote against
probably would have spared him another
confirmation.
embarrassing post-nomination fight.
The leap from poor staff work to extremist plot
Instead. we have the spectacle of administration
is one that can be made only if you're caught with
officials attempting to shift the spotlight from a
your incompetence showing. And it was.
Wash. Times; 2-14-95
The Left panics on judicial nominees
T
he much-discussed nomination of liberal
impressive number. But not so when one looks at how
lawyer and Health and Human Services Coun-
many signatures were solicited - and the way in
selor Peter Edelman to the D.C. Circuit Court
which they were sought. Take Catholic University,
of Appeals may be a dead letter, and happily so. But
from which two law professors signed on to the Edel-
the Left is growing tired of seeing its best and bright-
man letter. The turnout from there was remarkably
est go down in flames and has mounted something
low given that the dean of the law school, Ralph
of a last-gasp offensive on his behalf- designed,
Rohner, sent a request to every member of the fac-
if not to save Mr. Edelman, then at least to save the
ulty asking them to get on board and encouraging
cause of liberal judicial activism as the animating
them to come by his office to check out the draft. Not
force of President Clinton's remaining appointments
a few of Catholic's law professors were put off by
to the federal bench.
what they considered to be an abuse of administra-
A salient in this skirmish was yesterday's front-
tive power.
page article in The Washington Post, in which the
At the end of the day not one of the regular facul-
author, Joan Biskupic, happily joined forces with
ty members at Catholic University signed up on Mr.
such liberal icons as Sens. Paul Simon and Patrick
Edelman's behalf. The two signatures that were pro-
Leahy and Alliance for Justice Director Nan Aron
cured came from Associate Dean George Garvey
to excoriate Mr. Clinton for backing off from con-
and Associate Dean Leah Wortham.
troversial leftists as judicial nominees. Notably, the
So much for the groundswell of support for Mr.
president recently quietly withdrew his nomination
Edelman. Even at Georgetown, where Mr. Edelman
of Samuel Paz and Judith McConnell after they ran
was himself an associate dean, only three professors
into heavy weather. (Highlights of the two would-
could be found to sign the petition. And one of them
be judges' views were discussed in this space not
was the original author of the letter and the organizer
long before Mr. Clinton cut them loose.) It seems
of the campaign.
that the left wants Mr. Clinton to hold tough and bat-
In any case, Mr. Edelman is likely to find even less
tle for his liberal judicial appointees even for
support should the White House be foolish enough
those, like Mr. Edelman, who have not actually been
to take the advice of the Left and fight it out over rad-
nominated.
ical judicial nominees. The president is likely to find
It would be hard to tell, however, that Mr. Edelman
senators a trifle chilly if he follows the divisive nom-
- a former dean of Georgetown Law School and hus-
ination of Dr. Henry W. Foster Jr. for surgeon gen-
band of activist (and Hillary pal) Marian Wright
eral with the sort of untenable judicial nominations
Edelman- is not a nominee. The wisdom of having
he made in Samuel Paz and Judith McConnell. That
Mr. Edelman on the bench was widely and publicly
means no Peter Edelmans and no "stealth" left-
debated, starting in this space-frankly, much to the
wingers like Carolyn Osolinik, a former Senate Judi-
detriment of his hopes for a black robe. But now a
ciary Committee staff aide to Ted Kennedy who
claque of legal admirers has signed a letter to the
made a name for herself on the Hill for her radical
chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Orrin
views and her hand in efforts to bork a number of
Hatch, voicing its support for Mr. Edelman.
conservative judicial nominees under Presidents
The curious thing about the letter to Mr. Hatch,
Reagan and Bush. The advice of Messrs. Simon and
however, is just how little support Mr. Edelman was
Leahy and Ms. Aron and their publicist Ms. Biskupic
able to muster. At first glance, the 71 law professors
is essentially an invitation to the beleaguered admin-
who signed on behalf of Mr. Edelman may seem an
istration to commit political suicide for the cause.
Wash. Times; 2-14-95
defense to a middle-class tax cut,
The Foster-Elders continuum
the president has been more pre-
dictable on abortion than on any
other issue: He has consistently
shown a disturbing lack of respect
By Ralph Reed
ous health problems. Well, no such
which targets disadvantaged ado-
for innocent human life.
luck.
lescents aged 14 to 19. According to
The nomination of Dr. Foster also
I
n one sense, President Clinton's
Instead, the president chose
the program's own documents, one
makes clear that it wasn't Dr.
choice of Dr. Henry Foster Jr. to
someone who is not only a long-time
of its main objectives is to "increase
Elders' controversial views and pol-
be surgeon general is just one
advocate of the same failed agenda
contraceptive availability" for teens
icy prescriptions that led to her dis-
more in a long series of botched
that Dr. Elders promoted, but has
to reduce pregnancy rates, with no
missal. What got Dr. Elders into
nominations.
also promoted - as well as per-
mention of abstinence or delaying
trouble was the fact that she didn't
From Zoe Baird and Kimba
formed - abortions. After chang-
sexual activity. As sociologist Bar-
understand the administration's
Wood - Mr. Clinton's two failed
ing his story several times, Dr. Fos-
bara Dafoe Whitehead has docu-
first principle of dealing with social
picks for attorney general - to the
ter now admits to having carried
mented, such approaches to sex ed
issues: Use lots of pro-family, pro-
withdrawn nominations of Lani
out 39 "pregnancy terminations"
have utterly failed in achieving a
traditional values rhetoric in order
Guinier as civil rights enforcement
in private práctice, and there con-
reduction in teen pregnancy rates.
to disguise the radical nature of the
chief and Bobby Ray Inman as
tinue to be serious questions about
In New Jersey, for example, after
actual policies being implemented.
defense secretary, the administra-
whether this is the complete story
the institution of a similar program,
The fact is, her controversial views
tion has shown an astonishing inep-
of his personal experience in taking
births to unwed teen mothers went
on sex education in the schools
titude that has veteran Washington
innocent human life, including the
from 67.6 percent in 1980 to 84 per-
were par for the course, but her out-
observers shaking their heads in
issue of whether he performed
cent in 1991.
spokenness (some would term it
disbelief.
abortions illegally before 1973.
At the news conference announc-
candor) about her views had clear-
Now as the evidence mounts that
On other matters, his record is
ing Dr. Foster's nomination, Mr.
ly become a political liability for the
Dr. Foster had much wider experi-
crystal clear. Dr. Foster's close pro-
Clinton said he wanted him to lead
president.
ence in performing abortions that
a national campaign against teen
With Dr. Foster's nomination it
the administration initially admit-
pregnancy. It's clear from his past
becomes increasingly apparent that
ted, or perhaps knew, Clinton
If the administration
record what kind of campaign that
the president is more interested in
spokesmen are privately giving the
would be. Although Dr. Foster may
defending the reigning ideology of
same excuse they gave in the other
really wanted to reduce
not be as outspoken as former Sur-
sex-without-consequences even
cases: Incomplete examination of
geon General Elders, his views on
if it means riding roughshod over
the candidate's background. The
teen pregnancy and
teen-age sexual activity and "repro-
the rights of parents in the process
question arises: Can't these guys
abortion, it would stop
ductive health" are nearly identical.
- than he is in actually reducing
get anything right?
Planned Parenthood, on whose
the rate of teen pregnancy.
But aside from the issue of com-
petence or lack thereof - of the
fighting against
board Dr. Foster served, endorses
Rarely has there been a more
the Sex Information and Education
thoroughly discredited idea than
president's staff in such matters,
abstinence-based
Council of the United States
the notion that widespread avail-
the Foster nomination is revealing
(SEICUS) guidelines for sex edu-
ability of contraceptives and knowl-
in other, more important ways.
sex-ed programs.
cation, which advise teachers to
edge of their use leads to a dimin-
Anyone who thought Mr. Clinton's
discuss masturbation with children
ished rate of teen pregnancy and
firing of Joycelyn Elders last month
aged 5 to 8 and teaches this same
abortion. Today, with much more
indicated a newfound sensitivity to
fessional and personal ties with the
age group that homosexuality and
sex education and availability of
parents outraged by her attacks on
nation's leading abortion provider,
heterosexuality are equally valid
birth control than there was 25
traditional morality should think
Planned Parenthood, are well docu-
lifestyle choices.
years ago, we also have higher rates
again. With the nomination of Dr.
mented. He served on the board of
That Mr. Clinton should nomi-
of teen pregnancy, soaring illegiti-
Foster as surgeon general, Mr. Clin-
directors of Planned Parenthood
nate a man so closely associated
macy, and a much higher abortion
ton has confirmed that his admin-
from 1978 to 1981, and is also a
with the abortion industry to the
rate.
istration is dedicated to the promo-
member of the National Leadership
nation's top health post should tell
If the administration really want-
tion of radical social policies out of
Committee of Planned Parenthood's
us several things.
ed to reduce teen pregnancy and
step with the views and offensive
Campaign to Keep Abortion Safe
First, that his actions belie his
abortion, it would stop fighting
to the values of millions of Amer-
and Legal, a group formed to com-
rhetoric about wanting abortion to
against abstinence-based sex-ed
icans.
bat the Supreme Court's Webster
be "safe, legal and rare." From his
programs, which have a proven
You might think that the presi-
decision, which allowed states to set
second day in office, when he
track record in the few school sys-
dent would be inclined to pick a
restrictions on abortion such as
signed a series of executive orders
tems which have tried them. The
well-credentialed, mainstream
parental consent and notification
reversing existing restrictions on
Foster nomination is simply a pre-
nominee to replace the volatile Dr.
laws, and bans on third-trimester
federal funding for abortion, to his
scription for more of the same:
Elders, whose penchant for offen-
abortions. The group favors the
support of the radical Freedom of
more contraceptives, more sex ed
sive remarks and relentless pro-
right to abortion on demand during
Choice Act, to his attempt to force
and more availability of abortion.
motion of contraception for school-
all nine months of pregnancy, with-
abortion policies on developing
Washington should know by now
children ignited a political
out any restrictions.
countries in the Third World at the
that that prescription doesn't work.
firestorm. Perhaps a prestigious
Aside from his abortion practice
Cairo population conference, Mr.
The Clinton administration
heart surgeon or cancer expert
and promotion, Dr. Foster is also a
Clinton has shown himself to be
seems intent on assaulting the
with an impressive record in fight-
longtime advocate of making con-
completely beholden to the radi-
deeply-held values of the millions of
ing some of the nation's most seri-
doms available to children at
cal, pro-abortion lobby of Planned
Americans who adhere to tradi-
school-based clinics and contra-
Parenthood and the National Abor-
tional morality. November's elec-
ceptive-based sex education. He is
tion and Reproductive Rights
tion results should have sent a
Ralph Reed is executive director
best known in Tennessee for head-
Action League (NARAL). While
strong message to Washington that
of the Christian Coalition.
ing the "I Have a Future" program,
waffling on issues ranging from
ordinary citizens will not stand idly
by while the federal government
undermines the values they teach
in their homes and celebrate in
their churches and synagogues.
The White House has shown a
marked lack of candor in dealing
with questions about Dr. Foster's
controversial past, and candor is
perhaps the most valuable quality
in governance. In the interest of
the many important health issues
that currently face the nation, the
president should withdraw Dr. Fos-
ter's nomination in favor of a sur-
geon general who will unite and
not divide, who will heal and not
reopen the wounds caused by the
stormy tenure of Joycelyn Elders.
FEB-14-95 TUE 09:44
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FAX NO. 3123534144
P. 02/06
Chicago Sun Times (IL):
February 14, 1995
Cam
Give Clinton His Surgeon General
B
ased on the principle that every president has
The White House hungled this nomination. not
the right to make 2 fool out of himself. the
because it didn't know exactly how many abortions
Senate ought to confirm his surgeon general
Foster had done. hut because it arrogantly thought
nominee. Dr. Henry Foster.
that Americans don't care. The White House buys the
Seriously. I'm for the old idea that every president
common political wisdom that the last election may
should be. free to appoint someone-whether to
have been a mandate for economic conservatism. but
surgeon general or the Supreme Court-who reflects
not for social conservation. Abortion. we're told. is If
his views. Even if it's sometimes hard to
dead issue. Which is an amazing claim in
tell if the president's view on abortion is to
the face of this: Not one pro-life incum-
make it "rare" (as he said) or plentiful.
bent member of Congress or governor of
Democrats are right to say that abortion
either party was defeated by a pro-choice
shouldn't be A litmus test. Just as they
challenger. Pro-lifers won 37 of the 48
were wrong when they said it should be.
open House seats. Only in the White
That was back when Republican presi-
House and the nation's newsrooms could
dents were nominating Supreme Court
this be read as a pro-life defeat.
justices who were suspected of believing in
Never mind. If most Americans believe
life (even though it has since turned our
that the Clinton administration has blun-
that not all of them believed in life as
dered. Republicans shouldn't come rush-
much as they were accused). It also was
ing to its rescue by denying Foster his
when Democratic Senators Edward Ken-
nedy and Howard Metzenbaum routinely
Dennis
nomination. And if most Americans don't
care about shortion. as Clinton and his
blocked bunches of Republican judicial
Byrne
pals would have it. then Clinton has
nominees because they didn't pass the
nothing to worry about.
senators' philosophical litmus tests. It got
But Vice President AI Gore is hypocriti.
SO had that Abner Mikva, former liberal North Shore
cal to assert. as he did Monday. that Foster is 0
congressman and now White House counsel. gave a
"victim" of A process in which "ideological extrem-
remarkable speech here in 1986 when he was a U.S.
ists" can deny him his office. when it was political
appeals court judge. pleading with everyone to cut out
extremists on Gore's side who first made it possible
the litmus tests. He was widely ignored.
It is. of course. great entertainment to watch this
Dennis Byrne is " member of the Chicago Sun.
hypocrisy unfold, as when someone (who?) thought it
Times editorial board. His e-mail address in
beneficial to trot out former Surgeon General Joyce-
[email protected]
lyn Elders for a Sunday talk show. Having prisued for
Foster's confirmation because doing abortions is a
"legal" procedure, Elders was then asked if-she would
support a surgeon general who smoked a pack of
cigarettes a day-nlso a legal activity. She stammered
about. and then ruled the question out of order. Just
OH inartfully. Ahc dudged a question about whether
she would oppose an anti-choice surgeon general.
Equally entertaining is the White House claim that
no one but "right-wing extremists" cares about this
fight, citing "polls" that show most Americans are
opposed to "criminalizing" abortion. I don't know
what pulls they're talking about, because they never
say. But here's one (Gallup) among many that says
otherwise: Seventy-three percent of Americans would
not allow abortions after the third month of pregnan-
ey. unless it is to save the mother's life. (It is now
virtually allowed up to the moment of birth for any_
reason-as pro-choice extremists insist it must be.)
USA Today; 2-14-95
Put an end to drive-by smearers
As in Foster, Rutgers president cases,
we go after careers with impunity.
AMES, Iowa - By all accounts, Francis Lawrence
has had a distinguished academic career and has
been a fine president at Rutgers University.
By all accounts, Henry Foster has had a distin-
guished career as an obstetrician and a medical ad-
ministrator in Nashville.
Yet Lawrence is in danger of being fired by
Rutgers, and Foster is likely to be rejected by the Sen-
ate for a job he is well-suited for.
USA TODAY
AP
It's all because of sound bites and instant analysis.
FOSTER
LAWRENCE
Not sound bites on TV,
which at least knows the
Yet the debate is not whether Foster would be a
ethics of sound bites. Not
good surgeon general, not whether he would help nur-
ture and nourish the men and women and children of
instant analysis by anchor-
men, who at least know
America, not whether he is a good administrator or a
how to analyze instantly.
good doctor or a good man. If you're just tuning in,
No, these are the sound
you'd think Foster was some back-alley operator who
bites of gossip, the instant
did nothing but abortions all his life.
analyses of placards. They
That's the way this debate is being framed - it's
are the quotes, misquotes
about Henry Foster, abortionist, not about Dr. Foster,
and twistquotes passed
intellect and innovator and caregiver.
along by those unyielding
We've become a nation of drive-by smearers - go-
in their cause or unforgiv-
ing after reputations and careers with the reckless-
ing in their person.
ness and randomness with which we shoot people on
It is unfair, and it has
freeways. The media may be abetting - or, depend-
COUNTERPOINTS
gotten out of hand.
ing on your outlook, simply reporting - but it's not the
If you read everything
media stirring the pot.
Lawrence said that day in
In the case of President Lawrence, it's the young
By Michael Gartner
November and if you look
who know no better. In the case of Dr. Foster, it's the
at his accomplishments in
Christian right, which should know better.
bringing minorities to Rutgers, you will see he is a
This piling-on is out of hand. Now is the time to stop
champion of equality. He is not a racist. He has said
it. The Rutgers board must explain to the young that
one dumb thing and he has apologized.
no one is perfect. That they, too, will make mistakes
If we are to debate whether he is suited to run
as they grow older. But that a life cannot be judged by
Rutgers, should we not debate his full record?
a sound bite. And the board must stand by its man.
But a debate carried on by placards and demon-
The president, too, must stand by his man. He must
strations and quotes out of context doesn't allow for
explain that this is not a one-issue country, that there
that. It is not a debate; it is an inquisition.
are good and decent people on all sides of debates.
If you look at the record of Foster, you will say this
At Rutgers the young must learn, in Washington the
is a man who cares about the health of America, who
right must learn, and across the nation we all must
wants young mothers to thrive and their babies to sur-
learn: There's a difference between democracy and
vive. If you look at his record over three decades, you
mobocracy.
will say this is a man who has made a difference.
COUNTERPOINTS' four columnists provide views from di-
You will also say this is a doctor who performed 39
verse perspectives on today's issues. Wednesday: Linda Cha-
abortions - operations that are legal. that have been
vez on another affirmative-action debacle. Thursdays: Susan
Estrich. Mondays: Tony Snow. Tuesdays: Michael Gartner.
performed by thousands of doctors more than 1 mil-
lion times a year for the past 20 years.
Foster nomination, 12A
Wash. Times; 2-14-95
The medical ethics of the new surgeon-general nominee
Maybe if Dr. Henry W. Foster Jr.
late this oath, may the reverse be
desperately wanted but unfortunate-
had taken the Hippocratic Oath
my lot
ly cannot be carried to full term. Some
seriously, he would not be bogged
could be consummated, if not for a
down in such a quagmire over his
MARY BAILEY BOWEN
variety of reasons, such as emotional,
nomination for the office of sur-
Silver Spring
physical or mental inability to care for
geon general.
a child, or to protect the mother's life.
Four hundred years before the
If a doctor is responsive to his
birth of Christ, Hippocrates had
patient and his professional duties,
already laid down the principles
Your Feb 7 editorial regarding
he should administer such treat-
of medical science. and he IS rec.
the nomination of Dr. Henry W. Fos-
ment as to restore the patient to a
ognized as the father of modern
ter to be surgeon general states, "The
normally functioning condition.
medicine.
nomination should not go forward."
Should that require him to perform
Perhaps now Dr Foster may
Your opinion IS clearly political,
an abortion, he should do it. To do
recall these portions of the oath
based on procedure and without any
less is to withhold the treatment that
"
I will give no deadly med-
objectivity as to what Dr. Foster's
offers the only cure for the patient's
icines to anyone if asked. nor sug-
obligations are as a doctor. A physi-
physical or emotional ailment.
gest any such counsel. further.
cian takes an oath and is charged
Dr. Foster has conducted himself
more, I will not give to a woman
with the responsibility of adminis-
as a man of conscience in every
an instrument to produce abor-
tering to the sick to whatever extent
aspect of his medical responsibili-
tion."
that disorder or disease requires and
ty. He has honored his profession
"
While I continue to keep this
to do so to the best of his ability.
and is worthy of the office to which
oath unviolated may It be granted to
Society accepts the fact that preg-
he has been nominated.
me to enjoy life and-the practice of
nancies require the attention of a doc-
the art, respected by all men at all
tor. some to a greater extent, some to
JULES E. BERNFELD
times but should I trespass and vio-
a lesser extent. Some pregnancies are
Alexandria
PAUL GREENBERG
PATRICK BUCHANAN
Wash. Times; 2-13-95
the next native of Arkansas
T
slated to become surgeon
general of the United States
Attitude adjustment
and retreat
sounds like a welcome step
up despite some confusion about
how many abortions Henry W. Fos-
our politically correct elites, has
he bungled candidacy of Dr.
doctors took the Hippocratic Oath,
Michelman, perhaps America's
ter, M.D., may have performed in a
decided to go marching up Fool's
T
Henry Foster Jr. is shaping
vowing never to participate in abor-
best-known abortion activist, to a
long and distinguished career and
Hill en masse.
up as a major intellectual
tions. Doctors who did abortions
Philadelphia journalist: "We think
why Here's hoping the good doctor
Surely something has gone
and moral triumph for the
were outcasts. Had anyone urged
abortion is a bad thing. No woman
has been leveling with the American
wrong when abortion becomes just
pro-life movement.
that President Eisenhower name
wants to have an abortion."
another form of birth control.
For, by the manner in which the
an abortionist as surgeon general,
Now, if abortion is abhorrent,
people, because he doesn't belong in
high office if he hasn't been.
Human life itself has been deval-
White House chose to defend Dr.
it would have been considered a
"wrong" and a "bad thing," and our
Whatever one thought of his pre-
ued. This latest appointee of the
Foster, it virtually conceded that
crude joke.
president is on record as saying he
decessor's policies, there was no
Clinton administration stressed
abortion is a morally suspect act,
In treating abortionists as pari-
wants to make it, "rare," why not set
questioning Joycelyn Elders' candor
that any and all abortions he had
that any doctor who routinely does
ahs, were we morally retarded? Or
about making it rare?
about them. One would like to think
performed were done in-hospital
abortions is disqualified to be sur-
is America morally retarded today,
Let Congress vote to defund any
that any confusion about Dr. Foster's
and for therapeutic reasons. Over
geon general of the United States.
when national leaders call abortion
organization - from Planned Par-
record originated with the White
the course of his medical career,
Look at how defensive the White
a "legal medical procedure" of no
enthood to the U.N. Family Planning
House's inept-as-usual bureaucra-
Dr. Foster noted, he also must have
House was.
moral significance?
Assocation - that finances abor-
cy - rather than with Dr. Foster
delivered some 10,000 babies. Such
First, word was put out that Dr.
By their desperation and duplic-
tions. Decent people should not be
himself, who has a fine reputation as
comments reflect a new (and old)
Foster had performed, in three
ity in trying to hide the number of
forced to pay for deeds Dr. Foster
a physician and educator.
attitude toward abortions - that
decades as an obstetrician-gyne-
abortions Dr. Foster performed, the
says are abhorrent and Hillary
Dr. Foster represents a welcome
they are justified only when the life
Rodham Clinton says
change in at least one way: His
or health of the mother is in danger.
are wrong.
THE GREEN SHEET 51
major contribution to combating
At least one of the abortion-on-
AS YOUR NEW
Second, let Congress
illegitimacy and teen-age pregnan-
demand crowd noticed the change
SURGEON GENERAL
hold public hearings
cy doesn't seem to be training in
in political and moral atmosphere.
WILL INTO PLACE
- bring in ethicists,
technical proficiency but in simple
Ellen Goodman, whose newspaper
A PROGRAM FOCUSED ON
biologists, doctors -
column serves as a kind of social
TEACHING SEXUAL RESPONSIBILITY
to discuss when life
self-respect.
For example: Back in 1987, the
barometer, expressed her discom-
AND CONTROL...
STARTINGWITH
begins, and demon-
doctor started an after-school pro-
fort with this return to a more life-
THE PRESIDENT.
strate what abortion
revering past: "I am uncomfortable
does, both to a pre-
gram in Nashville called "I Have a
born child and to its
Future," which encourages young
with those who defend Dr. Foster on
mother.
women to postpone sexual activity
the grounds that he only performed
and childbearing till they have built
a few abortions or that he did them
In the 22 years since
Roe VS. Wade tech-
lives of their own and are ready to
for good reasons."
Her unspoken but obvious thesis
nology has advanced
assume parental responsibilities.
is worth exploring: Only when the
markedly Premature
The program is said to combine
babies are being
tutoring, job training and classes
law permits abortions for bad rea-
saved at earlier and
about family life. And it seems to be
sons, or no reason, as it largely does
DR.
earlier stages New
working. There are few pregnan-
now, is the abortion lobby going to be
FOSTER
cies among the students, and many
"comfortable." But how comfort-
sonograms and imag-
able, or secure, will anyone be in a
ing machines enable
continue their education beyond
doctors to see a child
high school.
society that takes life so lightly?
at every stage of
Just as the most erogenous zone
What happens to a civilization
is the mind, so the best prophylac-
when the taking of human life,
development
Let the country see
tic is the respect for self. Dr. Foster
whether for good reasons or bad, is
Let a new generation
would seem to recognize as much.
considered the business of only the
of young be taught
Surely the last surgeon general
takers? People may differ on moral
the truth. Let those
understood all this, too, but Joyce-
issues; what disturbs is the relative-
lyn Elders seemed always to be
ly new assumption that morality no
cologist, just one abortion. When
White House gave us its answer.
other victims of abortion, women -
talking about the mechanics of sex
longer matters in public discourse
that story collapsed, the fall back
They have conceded there is some-
who were pressured, abandoned,
position was fewer than a dozen
thing deeply shameful and morally
lied to -describe what it was like,
rather than its moral and ethical
or policy that it needn't be argued,
significance. Her breezy presenta-
that the subject is closed, and the
only in cases of rape, incest, or to
suspect about the act.
what it did to them physically, men-
tions tended to overlook the con-
taking of human life should be per-
save the life of the mother. Day
Mr. Clinton's militant allies rec-
tally, spiritually. A new GOP Con-
nection between sex and the deep-
mitted for any reason or no reason.
after day, the revisions tumbled out.
ognize the ground given away. The
gress should go after the abortion
When a nominee for surgeon
On "Nightline," Dr. Foster
National Coalition of Abortion
industry with the same brio that
est and most sacred of human
feelings. It is no coincidence that
general wishes to present reasons
sought, almost pathetically, both to
Providers has denounced Dr. Fos-
the old used to go after the oil indus-
marriage is a sacrament in most
for his actions and explain the abor-
emphasize the number of babies
ter for "equivocation and political
try and the tobacco industry.
traditions, and that it is ringed
tions he has performed, that alone
he had delivered, and minimize the
cowardice in the face of criticism
Hopeful result: a law declaring
is a hopeful sign. The mad pendu-
number of abortions. At one point
for doing what is legal," and called
the unborn child a person under the
about by safeguards prudential and
providential in all civilizations wor-
lum may be swinging back at last
he blurted, "I abhor abortion."
on him to withdraw.
Constitution, and a second forbid-
not toward values all share, or rea-
Unstated moral premise of Dr.
With Dr. Foster's withdrawal, or
ding abortion after "viability," a
thy of the name.
By presenting sexual activity as
sons all will agree with, but at least
Foster's "Nightline" appearance:
defeat, the time is ripe for major
point that would surely end all third
a branch of physical hygiene or
toward the recognition that values
Delivering babies is wonderful;
advances by right-to-life. Their
trimester abortions, and some sec-
maybe consumer ed, with about as
and reasons do matter to society,
performing abortions is terrible.
ranks strengthened by 50 new pro-
ond-trimester abortions.
much romance and meaning as
and should be taken into account.
Why did the White House and Dr.
life House Republicans and half a
Mr. Clinton might just sign it to
flossing, mod sex educators have
They are not just private concerns
Foster not admit that he did abor-
dozen senators, they have the num-
get the issue "behind him" for '96.
that allow us to do anything we wish
tions, declare it irrelevant how
bers. The other side is divided and
If so, we will be on the way to end-
just about done in a higher dimen-
sion of life. Sex ed can reduce love,
to others or to ourselves. If that's not
many, and hail his courage?
confused in the wake of the Foster
ing abortion in America, just as the
longing, jealousy and passion -
much progress, it is progress.
Answer: The White House and
debacle, and the moral high ground
abolitionists were on the way to
enough material for several biblical
Dr. Foster know most Americans,
has been yielded.
ending slavery when they got the
no matter their stand on"a woman's
Added to Dr. Foster's statement
slave trade stopped.
epics and no end of grand operas-
to a form of physical education. Or
Paul Greenberg is editorial page
right to choose," believe in their
that he abhors abortion is the first
maybe gymnastics.
editor of the Arkansas Democrat
hearts that the act of abortion is
lady's comment, postelection to
Some days it seems as if the
Gazette in Little Rock and a nation-
repugnant and sordid.
Newsweek, that abortion is
Patrick Buchanan is a national-
whole society, under the tutelage of
ally syndicated columnist.
When Dr. Foster was in school,
"wrong," and the remark of Kate
ly syndicated columnist.
Claude
Lewis
Looking
at
America
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER Monday, February 13, 1995
Clinton made a mistake
on the Foster nomination
he uproar over the nomina-
nominees' backgrounds has hurt
T
tion of Henry W. Foster as
Clinton badly. When negative stories
surgeon general to replace
appear about his choices, he some-
the ousted Joycelyn Elders,
times seems hesitant about springing
clearly isn't about Foster at all. He is
to their support. This makes him
eminently qualified for the post. In-
seem weak, obscuring his genuine
stead, the fight is all about politics
strengths.
and President Clinton.
In fact, Clinton has a surprising
His GOP opponents, emboldened
record of accomplishment, espe-
by capturing control of Congress for
cially since he's tackled so many big
the first time in four decades, regard
issues. He's done well on deficit re-
Clinton as a weakened President,
duction, on stemming the tide of
and they have their eye on replacing
immigrants from Cuba, on beefing
him in the '96 elections - through
up the economy and creating jobs -
sabotage, if necessary.
5 million in the last two years.
In their strategy of sabotage, the
In addition, he won his family-
Republicans have been aided by
leave battle, has improved, some-
some missteps made by the Clinton
what, the acceptance of gays in the
administration. It's a long list and
military and won a hard-fought bat-
will surely haunt the President at
tle to pass the North American Free
election time.
Trade Agreement with Mexico and
Among those fumbles are health-
Canada. His choices for the U.S. Su-
care reform (managed by Hillary
preme Court, Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Rodham Clinton). the mishandling
and Stephen G. Breyer, were easily
of the Lani Guinier nomination for
confirmed.
assistant attorney general for civil
That's what's been so frustrating
rights, foreign policy flip-flops and
about the Clinton administration. In
Elders and her untamed talk.
the face of achievement, there's no
What is so clear in the Foster fiasco
way the Foster nomination should be
is that the President hasn't yet fig-
causing the amount of damage it has
ured out how to slow the determined
this late in the game.
effort of the GOP to savage him at
Foster is an eminent and circum-
every turn.
spect obstetrician who has delivered
The Foster flap might have been
thousands of babies and developed
avoided simply by doing a thorough
an impressive program to combat
background check to determine Fos-
teenage pregnancy - a program sin-
ter's political vulnerability in ad-
gled out as a "point of light" by the
vance of his nomination. Everybody
preceding Republican administra-
knows that abortion is a hot-button
tion. He stands in contrast to Elders,
issue - and Foster has performed 39,
who literally talked herself out of a
by his own count.
job.
Clinton has to stop thinking of
All presidents make mistakes, but
himself solely as President. He must
the current one clearly has made too
think of himself as his party's leader.
many. What's worse is it appears that
If former President Nixon taught us
he doesn't learn from experience. Or
anything, it is that in politics, you
that in Washington politics, appear-
leave little or nothing to chance.
Nixon, too, was rebuffed in some of
ance matters as much as experience.
This no way to run the White
his appointments, but his losses were
House or a nation that has rated him
seldom viewed as the result of naive
so low in the polls that, at times, he's
political notions. Not so with Clin-
practically had to reach up to tie his
ton.
own shoe.
While it is virtually impossible to
As he proved during the '92 race,
anticipate every move by the opposi-
he is an able campaigner, but he
tion, he cannot afford to be caught
off guard. as he was in the Foster
must immediately begin to
case, over just how many abortions
strengthen his political grasp and
his nominee had performed. Was it
demonstrate leadership.
The GOP has decided he will be
700? Was it less than a dozen? Clin-
ton should have seen this coming,
extremely vulnerable in '96. It's up to
Clinton to prove otherwise.
and realized that opponents would
exploit any discrepancy.
Claude Lewis' column appears on
This lack of preparedness over
Mondays and Wednesdays.
NEW YORK POST, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY TO, 1995.
There's something for everyone
INALLY, there's some-
thing both sides of the
abortion controversy can
to dislike about Foster
agree on: Surgeon-general
appointee Henry Foster is
a major disappointment.
legal and medically sound
the defensive, "like he's
The veteran 38-year ob-
procedure - one that an
doing something wrong."
stetrician has been blind-
experienced
OB-GYN
Rust says.
sided by anti-abortion law-
could expect to perform at
"He should stand up and
makers.
CATHY
least 100 times during his
be counted and be proud of
And those in the pro-
BURKE
career.
what he's doing. Take the
abortion camp are
Safely, legally, for medi-
shots and do it in the right
ashamed that Foster's
cally sound reasons.
way, with honor and
spine seems to have buck-
is what is so devastating to
"The debate over Foster
pride."
led.
the pro-choice movement.
seems to be an attempt to
WIII pro-choice activists
"If you're going to fight,
"I'm extremely disap-
demonize doctors for abor-
now abandon Dr. Foster?
go in there swinging," says
pointed In the nominee and
tions," said Diane Welsh of
They can't afford to.
one pro-choice activist.
administration and the en-
the National Organization
"If we back away, every-
Instead, Foster whiffed.
tire way they have unwit-
for Women. "I have an
body gets an easy way
And so did the White
tingly painted themselves
emotional empathy for his
out," says Conlin. "And we
House.
into a corner." says Kelli
disclaimers.
need to make it difficult, a
First, the White House
Conlin, executive director
"But It does worry me. I'd
situation where Foster, the
said the OB-GYN had done
of the National Abortion
prefer a clear statement
president, the Congress,
only one abortion. Then
and Reproductive Rights
from him that he does sup-
the public. look at this
Foster amended that to
Action League.
port a woman's right to
issue realistically."
say he'd done "fewer than
"Abortion is a legal
abortion."
"I'm only disappointed
& dozen."
procedure in the United
In the South Bronx, Dr.
that there now seems to be
On ABC's "Nightline" on
States. Whether he's per-
Irving Rust, an obstetri-
an abortion litmus test,"
Wednesday, Foster revised
formed 39 or 3,900
cian and gynecologist at
says Alexander Sanger,
the figure again, saying he
shouldn't be an issue."
the Planned Parenthood
president of Planned Par.
performed 39 and oversaw
Whether Foster suffers
clinic, feels both anger and
enthood.
55 othera.
from bad coaching or a
disappointment in Foster.
If it's too late to save the
Then, making matters
soft spine. he is now his
"I was angry because he
Foster nomination, there
tar worse, he seems almost
own worst enemy 00 Capi-
and I, as black physicians,
are plenty of cautionary
apologetic about the whole
tol Hill
especially as obstetricians,
tales to take home.
thing.
"It is not acceptable what
should be fighting even
"I've learned two lessons
"I abhor" abortions, he
the nominee and president
harder in the liberal
in my -public life," says
says.
are saying at this point,"
causes important to ml-
Sanger.
The fact that Foster per-
Conlin says, "I don't think
nority women, who are a)-
"One is: You don't have to
forms them is enough to
they realize the damage
ways at the bottom of the
answer every question.
enflame the pro-life forces.
they are doing."
medical care situation,"
"The second le: Don't an-
The fact that he doesn't
Foster has yet to point
Rust says.
swer a question unless
defend his abortion record
out that abortion is both a
Instead, Foster went on
you're sure of the answer."
NEW YORK NEWSDAY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10. 1995
Clinton's Slow Learning Curve
Lying is one of man's pri-
doubts with an assurance
been worse-blackened by imputations
mary instincts and the jus-
that the nominee had per-
of bad faith.
tice of heaven has found no
formed just one abortion. On
Similar experiences for Clinton
Tuesday Dr. Foster said he
nominees were familiar events in his
corrective except by teaching
the practitioner that no sin
could remember fewer than
first two years; and their recurrence in
of his is near so sure to be
a dozen. By yesterday, after
Foster's instance allows painful suspi-
found out.
checking with his hospital
cions that this presidency is 80 learn-
records, he settled the figure
ing-disabled that no amount of lessons
The prevailing atmo-
at 39.
can persuade its spokesmen from dis-
sphere would have made Dr.
Henry W. Foster's confirma-
The plausible assumption
sembling, being found out, then re-dis-
tion as surgeon general at
from this record is that an
sembling, being caught once more, and
Murray
stuck with B truth far more damaging
best a strenuously delicate
administration with the
Kempton
than quick and candid proffer would
labor. But his prospects
common sense to anticipate
have made it.
could not have been brought
the problem would have
The airs of Washington are nowhere
30 close to ruin if the administration
asked Dr. Foster to refresh his memory
more noxious than in the contagions of
had not once again given way to its
earlier on and that, being a man of hon-
false piety; and Dr. Foster's apparent
weakness for fudging the truth.
or, he would have come back with the
surrender to them is an especially piti-
On Monday, the White House
proper count and that the clouds it
thought to dispose of one senator's
tending this revelation would not have
Please SCC KEMITON on Page A32
A Slow Learning Curve
KEMPTON from Page A16
done so much to compound the troubles of this and
so many other of his nominees.
able consequence of his misfortunes. There are
Yesterday Clinton said again that he proposes to
rules for conduct in loss-likely battles; and one of
fight'i out for Dr. Henry Foster. An affirmation
them is to stand proudly by your life's commit-
followed by a reaffirmation does not quite add up
ments.
to proof of a will stronger than the president's pri-
Dr. Foster has instead subsided into professions
or flaccidities have displayed: but the tone is en-
that he abhors abortion. The doctor's eath pledges
couragingly suggestive of a new readiness to take
him to do no harm; an abhorrent act is one that,
his beating and carry on to the next.
almost by definition, does harm. If Dr. Foster's
So than, late as it is, he may not turn out to
view of abortions were truly that severe, he would
be 80 entirely learning-disabled. He lost his dar-
have joined the many of his colleagues who decline
ling popularity by too abjectly courting it; and
to perform them. But he went ahead and carried
now he may find his character by recognizing
out procedures fully licensed under law and safely
that he can no longer hope to be loved by every-
within the scope of his professional duties. He
one and set out to be respected by those who
chose his circumstances, scarcely sees cause to be
dismiss him with contempt. He must take this
ashamed of himself, and has no excuse for pretend-
beating and incalculable others ahead; but he
ing he does except his present unjust beleagure-
must come back and defiantly meet this and
ment.
take the next, because he has no other way to
He would do better to go forth with head held
persuade friend and foe that he exists and is
high, refuse to degrade himself with unfelt apolo-
there though his blood runs down through his
gies and lose with dignity no less probably than he
shoes. This, of all work, is the job for which life
would have without it.
trained Bill Clinton least; but he must rise up to
And he can draw inspiration for this brave pos.
it at the cost of just disappearing if he doesn't.
ture from, of all unexpected quarters, the very
He can only survive in history by casting off the
president whose carelessness and inattention has
calculating habits that got him into it.
February 10, 1995
DAILY NEWS
Putting the lie
to top doc fight
OPE often than not, research
that do offer kids more don't utter a
M
scientists involved in the test-
peep because to oppose Foster is to
ing of potential "wonder"
concede abortion as a litmus test.
drugs tend to be temperate in speech.
"I should have refused to answer
For fear of a spectacular flop, they
that question until I knew the exact
hedge their bets, couching their enthu-
number, said Foster. Wrong
siasm with words such as "hopeful,"
No answer was the right answer
"encouraging" or "promising"
There is no magic number of abor
Npt so Dr. Henry Foster, President
tions, one would have been one too
Clinton's surgeon general nominée
many and don't kid yourself that this
When Foster got a grant from Up-
is about his lying.
john in 1981 to test an abortion drug,
"Nobody's checked whether he real
he chirped, "It's revolutionary!"
-
ly delivered 10,000 babies, or did
predicting that it
20,000 Pap smears,"
would change "abor-
notes Sanger
tions as we know
The Clinton admin-
them," ultimately en-
AMY
istration set Foster
abling women to abort
PAGNOZZI
up by posing the
at home
question first - and
He did not say as
it hurt many more
he did on "Nightline"
people than Foster.
the night before last in
It hurt 40 million
an interview set up by Clinton - "I ab-
uninsured Americans who still don't
hor abortions."
have health care.
What can you say about a doctor who
Says Sid Wolfe, director of Public
repeatedly performs a procedure he
Citizen Research Group. "This is the
finds abhorrent?
third time conservative lunacy has
The best news is that he lied.
sabotaged an able surgeon general.
First, Foster said it was one abor-
"C. Everett Koop was a Republican
tion, then less then a dozen, then 39,
nominee and pro-lifer, but when he
until Ted Koppel on "Nightline" noted
took on such issues as tobacco and
the abortions on 55 women out of 60 in
AIDS and pregnancy, he got resistance
the vaginal suppository study.
from the right.
The doctor who performed abortions
"Masturbation brought down Joyce-
- but didn't want to - brought to you
lyn Elders. Abortion takes out Foster.
by the President who smoked pot, but
Who's next?"
didn't inhale.
This goes beyond individual nomi-
Correct me if I'm not up to date, but I
nees. At the behest of same members
understood that abortion. if not pot
of Congress. the General Accounting
smoking, was still legal.
Office is investigating whether the
The scenario becomes more absurd.
Commission Corps of the Public
with organizations such as Planned
Health Service should be dissolved.
Parenthood lining up behind Foster
How do you feel about having a sur-
based on what they think he thinks, not
geon civilian instead of a surgeon gen-
what he says.
eral? The title matters. The military ti-
"Dr. Foster believes abortion should
tle and uniform convey authority and
be available to the women who need
give credence to public health warn-
it," insists Alex Sanger, president of
ings that otherwise might be ignored
New York City Planned Parenthood.
It's the uniform that drives some
"Given the political realities of the
conservatives nuts when they hear
United States Senate. be chooses his
someone wearing it utter "masturba-
words carefully."
tion" or "condoms" or "AIDS."
Carefully?
They believe that if these dialogues
Asked by Koppel whether he favors
are necessary at all. they should stay
distribution of condoms to kids with
within the doctor-patient relationship.
parental consent he replied. "No."
beyond the realm of government.
Koppel: No?
INE and dandy for those who
Foster: Abstinence, that's what I fa-
F
have doctors.
vor. That's the bedrock of our program.
"Look what the surgeon gener-
As the school dropout rate resulting
al's warnings about smoking alone
from teenage pregnancy zooms along
have done," says Wolfe. "For very little
with the infact mor ality rate, and as
money they accomplish a tramendous
more children fall prey to sexually
amount of public health education
vim
transmitted diseases, including AIDS.
Even. the worst surgeon general is a
Foster offers abstinence.
very visible doctor. For some Ameri-
THE PHILADE PHIA INQUIRER 2/10/95
False diagnosis
The muddle over Dr. Foster and abortion reveals
the White House's incompetence, not his character.
As the political debate over the
abortions performed as a private
nomination of Henry W. Foster Jr. as
physician, and 55 overseen as part of
surgeon general grows ever louder,
a hospital research program. Can
it's clear there are two strains of
this man be trusted?
opposition. One is understandable,
The answer is yes, and here's why.
the other hypocritical.
The concern about truth-telling is
Some on Capitol Hill are against
misplaced. The record shows that Dr.
the nomination because Dr. Foster,
Foster didn't lie. The White House
as a practicing obstetrician-gynecolo-
fumbled.
gist and an academic researcher, per-
In its haste to place the nominee
formed abortions. How many abor-
before the public, the Clinton ad-
tions he performed and under what
ministration failed to do its home-
conditions really doesn't matter to
work. According to Dr. Foster's ac-
people who are just dead-set against
count, aides pressured him to
abortion. The fact that the procedure
remember how many times he per-
is legal doesn't matter, either.
formed abortions over a 38-year ca-
It is frustrating to watch the nomi-
reer. His rough estimate was about a
nation of a man with such a broadly
dozen. Only after reviewing records
admirable record threatened by a
for three days did he come up with
single litmus test. But, given the con-
the more precise - and higher -
text of the deeply held views some
figure.
Americans have on abortion, the po-
Clearly, the 10,000 babies Dr. Fos-
sition of this set of opponents is un-
ter delivered were more important.
derstandable.
The major campaign he waged to
What's not understandable, or for-
fight teenage pregnancy was more
givable, is the way other politicians
important. The fact that President
looking to wound the Clinton admin-
Bush highlighted his community-ori-
istration while staying wishy-washy
ented efforts was more important.
on abortion are using the "charac-
Still, the White House goofed. If its
ter" issue as a ruse to oppose Dr.
critics want to oppose the nominee
Foster.
for that reason, well, that's politics.
The argument runs like this: First,
But that's not reason to impugn
the White House says that the nomi-
the integrity and character of a phy-
nee performed about a dozen abor-
sician who seems to have dedicated
tions. Then the number goes up - 39
his life to public good.
The Oregonian; 2-10-95
Anti-Fòster campaign: The Big Chill
he mistake that presidents keep
who declared their "strong support" for Fos-
that there's & difference in whether, over
T
making about the job of surgeon
ter. Dr. Ralph W. Hale, executive director of
the course of a 20-year career, Foster per-
general is in thinking that it has
the ob-gyn group, wrote Clinton, "As 2 pas-
formed 12 or S9 abortions. Mostly, they're
something to do with public
sionate advocate for primary and preventive
upset because they have to face an issue -
health. The job is actually about sending
health care, Dr. Foster would certainly
and they're upset with Bill Clinton for mak-
measages, and whatever happens with the
bring the highest level of experience and ex.
ing It an issue.
nomination of Dr. Henry Foster Jr., the mes-
pertise to your administration as it attempts
"They should have taken the finest doctor
sage has already gone out.
to address the nation's health care needs."
they could find in the country, someone
"There's a real chill factor here," said
Of course, the 85,000 obstetricians and gy.
near retirement without any controversy,"
Sen. Patty Murray. D-Wash, Wednesday
necologists are a dubious source here- and
complained Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., always a
night. "Any obstetri-
besides, you might prefer to have your baby
profile in courage. But even the model of a
cian and gynecologist
delivered by Sen. Lott.
grandfatherly surgeon general urging Amer-
has to think about it. If
The problem is that the medics still think
icans to eat their vegetables can get into
the fight is based on
that this isabout health issues.
trouble as Republicans discovered when
the argument out there
But you can't actually discuss public-
the strongly anti-abortion Dr. C. Everett
at the moment, I think
health issues in A country where people put
Koop, the surgeon general chosen by Ronald
it's very disconcerting
doctors on Wanted postera.
Reagan, decided to talk about the activity
that we attack anyone
that leads people to seek abortions.
Dr. James Newhall and his wife Dr. Eliza-
based on that argu-
But if the president and senators who
beth Newhall. of Portland, are among a
ment."
claim to support abortion rights are think-
dozen U.S. doctors on those Wanted posters,
ing about taking a stand somewhere, this
The argument is, of
put out by the American Coalition of Life
wouldn't be a. bad place. Doctors, after all,
course, that Foster,
Activists. The posters offer & $5,000 reward
are already standing with Foster.
during a long and die-
for the conviction of people who haven't
tinguished career as an
done anything illegal, and are less likely to
"Tm amazed and embarrassed by the poll-
obstetrician and gynecologist, performed
ticians of this nation," says Paul Kirk,
find themselves in court than in a pool of
blood. As Kate Michelman of the National
chairman of obstetrics and gynecology at
some abortions an operation that is not
Oregon Health Sciences University. "Abor-
only a legal procedure but a constitutional
Abortion Rights Action League says of the
tion is legal. Abortion is comething women
right Because of Foster's participation in
"Deadly Dozen" posters: "Lat's just call it a
those operations, Senate Majority Whip
hit list."
choose. It's the responsibility of my profes-
sion to make it safe."
Trent Lott, R-Miss., says that Foster act-
And now, the nationally prominent Dr.
ing president of Meharry Medical College,
or course, that's just a medical opinion. In
Foster gets to be on that list- or maybe just
health policy fellow at the Association of Ac,
talking about a surgeon general, it may not
on the fringe of it.
even count.
ademic Health Centers in Washington, win-
"What they re trying to do," says James
ner of B George Bush "Point of Light" award
And standing with Foster, and with a list
Newhall, "is to say that anybody who's ever
for founding R program to discourage teen
of other doctors who are being assulted for
done any abortions is B parish and cut off
pregnancy through abstinence - is "on the
trying to make a legal procedure a safe pro-
from the medical community. They are try.
fringe."
cedure, might be a little chilly.
ing to isolate anybody who provides abor-
But unless someone does, things will very
And once you've announced who's on the
tions, and to a large extent, they've succeed.
soon get much colder.
fringe, you can make It really cold for them
ed"
out there.
Senators, desperately eager to avoid fac.
David Sarasohn is an associate aditor of
The fringe apparently includes the Ameri-
mg the real issue here, are trying hard to
The Oragonian. He can be telephoned at
can Medical Association and the American
make this a question of numbers, or of
221-8523 or reached by mall at 1320 SW
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,
White House clumsiness. They're saying
Broadway, Portland, OR ST201.
Charles Krauthammer
Wash. Post; 2-10-95
It's Not Just
The Zealots
On the face of it, Rep. Henry
The fact that in selecting Foster
Waxman's defense of President
the administration overlooked the
Clinton's nominee for surgeon gen-
abortion issue is being blamed on
eral seems quite compelling: Yes,
the usual Clinton White House in-
Dr. Foster performed abortions.
competence. But there is much
But abortion is legal in this country.
more at work here.
So. what IS the fuss about?
The fact of the fuss indicates that
the question of abortion is not as
settled as many people think. Its
The fuss about Dr.
legality is settled: A majority of
Americans do not want it outlawed.
Foster indicates
But its morality is still very much in
doubt. President Clinton himself
that the question
says, "Our vision should be of an
America where abortion is safe,
of abortion is not
legal, but rare." Why rare, if there
is not something deeply troubling
as settled as many
about abortion?
It is that troubled feeling, even
among those who support legal
people think.
abortion, that is fueling the brou-
"Abortion Issue Surprised White
haha over Foster. Without that
feeling, the anti-Foster fervor of
House," ran the front-page headline
the antiabortion forces would find
in The Post. "Trouble for Surgeon
General-Designate Reflects Lack of
no resonance.
Most Americans consider abor-
Preparation." But you only prepare
tion a necessary evil. Necessary
for something if you think it impor-
because the alternative-women
tant. The lack of White House
dead and mutilated from illegal
preparation stems less from income
abortions they are going to have
petence than ideological insularity.
anyway-is worse. But evil none-
It is the same ideological insu-
theless. Something that, as Clinton
larity that found nothing terribly
insists, should be rare.
exceptionable-until the fire-
Americans' deep distaste for
storm-with the racial spoils sys,
abortion is reflected in the very
tem advocated by Lani Guinier. It is
slogan of its advocates.
the same ideological insularity that
"Pro-choice" is a triumph of vacu-
found Joycelyn Elders's blunt advo-
ity. Choice is swell, but what kind
cacy of teen sexuality not just unob-
of rule is "choice"? Are pro-choicers
jectionable but bracing.
for gun choice? For school choice?
Staff error is an easy excuse.
For drug choice? Abortion is a pro-
The deeper problem is that the
cedure whose name even its advo-
Clinton White House inhabits an
cates prefer not to speak.
ideological milieu in which the
Presidential spokesman Mike
views of Guinier and Elders are
McCurry says that what Foster has
considered mainstream, and moral
done "is certainly legal and certain-
alarm at abortion is considered
ly within the bounds of medical
alien. It is only when these as-
ethics." Well yes, but not fully:
Abortion is not, for example, within
sumptions are taken beyond the
the bounds of the medical ethics of
cozy milieu and exposed to the
Bill Clinton's own alma mater. Bill
outside world that all hell breaks
Clinton went to Georgetown Uni-
loose. Then "surprise"-and the
versity, a Catholic institution. He
pretense that the fiasco is proce-
has never spoken of it as a hotbed
dural not philosophical.
of right-wing ideology or religious
Despite deep divisions at the ex-
extremism. Nonetheless, George-
tremes, Americans are coming to
town University Hospital will, on
an uneasy accommodation about,
principle, not perform abortions.
abortion: Let it be not criminalized
Georgetown is not unique. A sub-
but stigmatized. Abortion is not a
stantial number of obstetrician-gy-
morally neutral procedure. We:do
necologists, perhaps 15 to 25 per-
not want it to become routine. Stig-
cent, will not perform abortions.
matization is an appropriate, useful,
They may not want to see abortion
non-coercive way to help make
criminalized. but they consider the
abortion rare.
act so offensive that they want no
In a society where the majority
part of it.
of people want abortion to be legal,
Clearly Dr. Foster does not.
but fully 40 percent believe that
That is the root of the controversy
involves the destruction of a human,
surrounding his nomination. The
life, legal but stigmatized abortion
idea that those troubled by Foster's
is about the best compromise that
abortion history are just religious
we can find. Which is why there is
zealots and antiabortion fanatics is
such unease at the prospect of à
simply wrong. (According to Rep.
doctor who has performed abore
Jerrold Nadler, for example, "the
tions (number and circumstance es
thugs in the Senate who are talking
about blocking this nomination be-
yet unknown) and conducted exper
cause of abortion are in the same
iments with abortion-inducing
thuggish spectrum as people who
drugs becoming surgeon general.
are shooting doctors performing
The charge that people want to
abortions.") The morality of abor-
destroy Dr. Foster's career be-
tion IS a mainstream issue. For
cause he performed abortions is
most Americans abortion is not the
nonsense. No one denies him the
moral equivalent of an appendecto-
right to be a surgeon. The only
my. It poses serious moral prob-
question is whether he should be a
lems. How can anyone choosing a
surgeon general. an office that con-
surgeon general not be sensitive to
fers the moral leadership of Ameri-
that fact?
can medicine.
N.Y. Times; 2-10-95
The Tainted Foster Nomination
The nomination of Dr. Henry Foster Jr. to be
ing among adolescents, one of the most pressing
surgeon general has been so badly bungled, by the
social issues confronting the nation. He developed a
White House and by Dr. Foster himself, that there is
highly successful program, called "I Have a Fu-
little choice but to hope it dies quickly. Although Dr.
ture," in Nashville that was honored by President
Foster is a highly respected obstetrician, his lack of
Bush as one of his "points of light."
candor about his abortion record disqualifies him
During a 30-year practice Dr. Foster, like many
from serious consideration. Misleading statements
obstetricians, performed a number of abortions. In
by candidates for high position simply cannot be
doing so he was providing a legal, constitutionally
condoned.
protected medical service. If the latest numbers put
Of course the chief blame for this debacle lies
forth are correct, he performed 39 surgical abor-
with the White House, which once again put forth a
tions during his 38-year medical career, a once-a-
nominee without adequately vetting the person's
year rate that seems modest for a very busy
background or knowing the answers to potentially
practitioner serving a needy population. He was
explosive questions. As a result, the Administration
also the titular head of a federally sanctioned test of
put out false information on the number of abortions
a potential abortion suppository.
performed by Dr. Foster. In this as in earlier
This record would in any case have probably
episodes, White House bungling makes it difficult
inflamed America's anti-choice minority, which is
for President Clinton's natural allies to support him
fierce and well organized and has good friends in
fully. The situation moves from difficult to impossi-
Congress. But since most Americans believe that
ble for pro-choice Republicans like Senator Nancy
women should retain the right to choose, Dr. Fos-
Kassebaum of Kansas, who cannot reasonably be
ter's nomination might well have been pushed
expected to take a political gamble amid such
through the Senate had his record been forthrightly
swirling incompetence.
presented. Instead both he and the Administration
That is a shame because Dr. Foster, based on
made it look as if their accounts were unreliable or
his past record, is a good choice to succeed Dr.
designed to mask a more troubling history.
Joycelyn Elders, who was pushed from the job after
President Clinton promises to fight for his
her repeated intemperate language made her a
nominee and Dr. Foster pledges to stay the course.
target for conservative attacks. Dr. Foster, the
But this is a fight that neither the White House nor
acting director of Meharry Medical College in Ten-
Congress really wants over a crippled candidacy. It
nessee, is deeply committed to delaying child-bear-
is time to withdraw the nomination.
L.A. Times; 2-10-95
Another Botched Job?
Poor staff work at White House imperils Foster
Leon E. Panetta, the White House
sleepiest White House aide to what
chief of staff, acknowledges that Ad-
could be expected. But there is no
ministration officials "did not serve the
evidence that the White House in fact
President well" when they failed to
anticipated trouble, and certainly it was
look as fully as political circumstances
anything but well-prepared. Pressured
demanded into the background of Dr.
by the White House to give a tally on
Henry Foster Jr., the obstetrician-
the abortions he had performed, Foster
gynecologist who has been nominated
guessed about a dozen. Only well into
by President Clinton to be the surgeon
the controversy did a study of his
general. The admission, however, was
medical records for the last 38 years fix
misdirected. Although Clinton was once
on 39 as the actual number.
again ill-served by his aides, the real
That Foster in the course of a long
victim in this instance is Foster, who
and honorable career performed abor-
has been needlessly humiliated and had
tions-a procedure he says he personal-
his credibility questioned because inex-
ly abhors-is in no way disqualifying.
cusably poor staff work failed to antici-
The problem is that the mishandling of
pate or prepare him for the questions
this matter has deepened the ordeal
that would inevitably be asked about
that he will face in the confirmation
his experiences with abortion.
process.
The existence of a politically influen-
Botched White House staff work
tial anti-abortion lobby is not exactly a
earlier helped sink the prospects of Zoe
secret in Washington, and the Presi-
Baird, Kimba Wood and Lani Guinier.
dent's choice of an obstetrician-gyne-
It's time for the message to get through
cologist as the nation's top medical
at the White House that enough is
official should have alerted even the
enough.
FEB-14-95 TUE 18:10
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Detroit Free Press (MI):
February 10, 1995
The reluctant nomination
Clinton hems
38 or 699. Either way, Kassebaum was
Now we have a repeat of that
steamed.
experience. To the accusations that
Clinton has reaffirmed his support
Foster may have performed many
and haws
of Foster, but not before the White
abortions, Clinton should have said:
House, characteristically. backed off a
"So what?" Abortions are legal and
bit. It suggested that if Foster's abor-
Clinton is pro-choice. To many people,
and satisfies
tion figure went over, say, one dozen, it
particularly women. it was the single
would have problems with the man.
most important difference between
Since the White House arranged the
Clinton and George Bush. This, in
"Nightline" interview, the president
other words, was a wedge issue, not to
no one
apparently is comfortable with the lat-
mention a matter of principle. The
est figure. Like Jack Benny. Foster is
wedge, though, has been blunted. the
holding at 39.
principle has been fudged.
The nomination of Dr. Henry Fos-
Clinton also might have reminded
ter Jr. as surgeon general has fast
In the end, the Foster flap may not
people that the man under consider-
become one of those debacles for
turn on abortion, but on credibility. No
ation is an OB-GYN - preciscly the
which the Clinton administration is
matter how many abortions be per-
justly famous. These political calami-
formed. if he tried to fudge his record
ties begin with sloppy White House
his critics would be entitled to their
field where a physician is likely to have
staff work, proceed to a terrified reac-
outrage and the administration would
to perform abortions. That is the na-
tion to critics
be correct to withdraw and start anew.
ture of the practice. You counsel your
RICHARD
and end, too of-
As luck would have it, the White House
patient, treat her, maybe prescribe
ten, with the
has some experience in these matters,
birth control measures - and if that
COHEN
president strad-
having chosen two attorney general
dling both sides
nominees before a third. Janet Reno,
fails, continue your obligation by,
sometimes, performing an abortion.
of the issue -
finally made it.
On 2 good day, you deliver a baby. On
equally afraid to
That sorry record is precisely what
another day, you have to perform an
make enemies
many in this town are now recalling.
abortion. Foster now says he had 39
or lose friends.
But a more apt precedent is the gays in
bad days. That hardly makes him an
In the end, he
the military flap that contributed great-'
abortionist.
loses the re-
ly to the public perception that Clinton
Given the facts, Foster presented
spect of both
was not a New Democrat after all, but
Clinton a chance to remind people that
At the mo-
there is a difference between him and
ment, the pur-
the conservative Republicans who now
just an old-fashioned liberal. He holds
ported issue
control the House. Senate and -
the view that a person's sexual orienta-
seems to be the
maybe more important - talk radio. It
tion does not matter, just as long as he
number of abor-
is a difference that matters to a great
tions Foster either performed or su-
or she caused no trouble and did his or
many people. Instead, the White House
her job. Imagine!
pervised. The tally keeps changing -
reacted weakly. Why? Does it think it's
That proposition. so sensible I still
from the original dozen or so to the 39
going to get the votes of the anti-
cannot understand the fuss, was never-
he acknowledged in a "Nightline" in-
abortion crowd? Fat chance. Have the
theless political dynamite. So what did
terview this week. The number 700
Clinton do? He hemmed. He hawed. He
midterm elections changed matters SO
appears in the transcript of a 1978
radically that what was principle in
hearing, but it's not clear if Foster was
backed and he filled. In the end, he
October became expediency in No-
referring to abortions or amniocente-
satisfied no one - not those who
vember? Maybe.
sis, which are two different proce-
thought he was right, and not those
Whatever the reason, the White
who thought he was a woolly-headed
dures. To a strict anti-abortionist,
House has left the impression that its
though, the numbers game is without
former hippie who didn't know squat
position on abortion is a variation of its
moral difference, and it ought to be the
about military service and, of course,
showers.
gays in the military compromise: Don't
same for the pro-choice White House
ask, don't tell and don't, for heaven's
as well. What's clear is that the man
sake, take a firm stand.
has performed abortions.
The Senate, which likes its nomina-
tions neat, is in an uproar. To make
matters worse, Kansas' Nancy Kasse-
baum, a rare pro-choice Republican,
was erroneously told by a White House
aide that Foster had performed only
one abortion. The figure is off by either
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returary
It isn't Foster who should be fired
I
T'S A WONDER that Bill Clinton finds anyone
figure before he could check his medical records.
willing to serve in his administration. One after
The number of abortions he performed should
another candidate for this or that high position
not be a factor in his nomination at all. Abortion
is brought forward. Then someone discovers a
has been legal since 1973. But the issue is so
shadow from the past. Clinton, having vowed to
volatile that any involvement Foster had with it
stand by his man (or woman), inevitably waffles
would inevitably stir controversy. That's why the
and the nominee goes down
White House had a special
in flames. What a dismal
The number of abortions that
obligation to get all the facts
excuse for leadership.
before the Foster nomina-
Henry Foster is the latest
Foster performed should not
tion. became public.
femerging victim. The Nash-
be a factor in his nomination
If Foster deliberately lied
ville physician and educa-
at all. Abortion has been legal
about his past, that by itself
tor, who made his name
would be disqualifying; his
with a widely praised pro-
since 1973.
credibility would be under-
gram to prevent teen preg-
mined. But so far, there's no
nancy, appears well qualified to be the next surgeon
proof that he dissembled. He seems to have made
general and deserves to be confirmed. But a dispute
an honest slip in the heat of the spotlight.
over his record on abortion may doom his nomina-
The real culprits here are a slipshod White House
tion.
staff and a president who seems constitutionally
At first, the White House said Foster had per-
incapable of running a tighter ship. From Zoe Baird
formed only one abortion in his 38-year obstetrical
and Kimba Wood to Lani Guinier and Bobby
practice; then Foster said it was "fewer than a
Inman, Clinton nominees have been inadequately
dozen." mostly to save the mother's life or in cases
vetted, only to falter over nanny taxes and other
of rape or incest. Now, Foster says the number was
mistakes. Will Clinton & Co. ever learn: to: get it
:actually 39; he had felt pressured to come up with a
right the first time? The clock is running out
NEW YORK POST, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10. 1995
There's something for everyone
INALLY, there's some-
thing both sides of the
abortion controversy can
to dislike about Foster
agree on: Surgeon-general
appointee Henry Foster is
a major disappointment.
legal and medically sound
the defensive, "like he's
The veteran 38-year ob-
procedure - one that an
doing something wrong,"
stetrician has been blind-
experienced
OB-GYN
Rust says.
sided by anti-abortion law-
could expect to perform at
"He should stand up and
makers.
CATHY
least 100 times during his
be counted and be proud of
And those in the pro-
BURKE
career.
what he's doing. Take the
abortion camp are
Safely. legally, for medi-
shots and do it in the right
ashamed that Foster's
cally sound reasons.
way, with honor and
spine seems to have buck-
is what is 80 devastating to
"The debate over Foster
pride."
led.
the pro-choice movement.
seems to be an attempt to
WIII pro-choice activists
"If you're going to fight,
"I'm extremely disap-
demonize doctors for abor-
now abandon Dr. Foster?
go in there swinging," says
pointed In the nominee and
tions," said Diane Welsh of
They can't afford to.
one pro-choice activist.
administration and the en-
the National Organization
"If we back away, every-
Instead, Foster whiffed.
tire way they have unwit-
for Women. "I have an
body gets an easy way
And so did the White
tingly painted themselves
emotional empathy for his
out," says Conlin. "And we
House.
into a corner," says Kelli
disclaimers.
need to make it difficult, a
First, the White House.
Conlin, executive director
"But It does worry me. I'd
situation where Foster, the
said the OB-GYN had done
of the National Abortion
prefer a clear statement
president, the Congress,
only one abortion. Then
and Reproductive Rights
from him that he does sup-
the public. look at this
Foster amended that to
Action League.
port a woman's right to
issue realistically."
say he'd done "fewer than
"Abortion is a legal
abortion."
"I'm only disappointed
& dozen."
procedure in the United
In the South Bronx, Dr.
that there now seems to be
On ABC's "Nightline" on
States. Whether he's per-
Irving Rust. an obstetri-
an abortion litmus test,"
Wednesday, Foster revised
formed 39 or 3,900
cian and gynecologist at
says Alexander Sanger,
the figure again, saying ha
shouldn't be an issue."
the Planned Parenthood
president of Planned Par.
performed 39 and oversaw
Whether Foster suffers
clinic, feels both anger and
enthood.
55 othera.
from bad coaching or a
disappointment in Foster.
If it's too late to save the
Then, making matters
soft spine, he is now his
"I was angry because he
Foster nomination, there
tar worse, he seems almost
own worst enemy on Capi-
and I, as black physicians,
are plenty of cautionary
apologetic about the whole
tol Hill
especially as obstetricians,
tales to take home.
thing.
"It is not acceptable what
should be fighting even
"I've learned two lessons
"I abhor" abortions, he
the nominee and president
harder in the liberal
in my public life," says
says.
are saying at this point,"
causes important to ml-
Sanger.
The fact that Foster per-
Conlin says, "I don't think
nority women, who are a)-
"One is: You don't have to
forms them is enough to
they realize the damage
ways at the bottom of the
answer every question.
enflame the pro-life forces.
they are doing."
medical care situation,"
"The second Is: Don't an-
The fact that he doesn't
Foster has yet to point
Rust says.
swer a question unless
defend his abortion record
out that abortion is both a
Instead, Foster went on
you're sure of the answer."
NEW YORK NEWSDAY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10. 1995
Clinton's Slow Learning Curve
Lying is one of man's pri-
doubts with an assurance
been worse-blackened by imputations
mary instincts and the jus-
that the nominee had per-
of bad faith.
tice of heaven has found no
formed just one abortion. On
Similar experiences for Clinton
Tuesday Dr. Foster said he
nominees were familiar events in his
corrective except by teaching
the practitioner that no ain
could remember fewer than
first two years; and their recurrence in
of his is near so sure to be
a dozen. By yesterday, after
Foster's instance allows painful suspi-
found out.
checking with his hospital
cions that this presidency is BD learn-
records, he settled the figure
ing-disabled that no amount of lessons
The prevailing atmo-
at 39.
can persuade its spokesmen from dis-
sphere would have made Dr.
Henry W. Foster's confirma-
The plausible assumption
sembling, being found out, then re-dis-
tion as surgeon general at
from this record is that an
sembling, baing caught once more, and
Murray
stuck with a truth far more damaging
best a strenuously delicate
administration with the
Kempton
than quick and candid proffer would
labor. But his prospects
common sense to anticipate
have made it.
could not have been brought
the problem would have
The airs of Washington are nowhere
so close to ruin if the administration
asked Dr. Foster to refresh his memory
more noxious than in the contagions of
bad not once again given way to its
earlier on and that, being a man of hon-
false piety; and Dr. Foster's apparent
weakness for fudging the truth.
or, he would have come back with the
surrender to them is an especially piti-
On Monday, the White House
proper count and that Que clouds it
thought to dispose of one senator's
tending this revelation would not have
Please see KEMITON on Page A32
A Slow Learning Curve
KEMPTON from Page A16
done BO much to compound the troubles of this and
so many other of his nominees.
able consequence of his misfortunes. There are
Yesterday Clinton said again that he proposes to
rules for conduct in loss-likely battles; and one of
fight it out for Dr. Henry Foster. An affirmation
them is to stand proudly by your life's commit-
followed by a reaffirmation does not quite add up
ments.
to proof of a will stronger than the president's pri-
Dr. Foster has instead subsided into professions
or flaccidities have displayed; but the tone is en-
that he abhors abortion. The doctor's eath pledges
couragingly suggestive of a new readiness to take
him to do no harm; an abhorrent act is one that,
his beating and carry on to the next.
almost by definition, does harm. If Dr. Foster's
So than, late as it is, he may not turn out to
view of abortions were truly that severe, he would
be 80 entirely learning-disabled. He lost his dar-
have joined the many of his colleagues who decline
ling popularity by too abjectly courting it; and
to perform them. But he went ahead and carried
now he may find his character by recognizing
out procedures fully licensed under law and safely
that he can no longer hope to be loved by every-
within the scope of his professional duties. He
one and set out to be respected by those who
chose his circumstances, scarcely sees cause to be
dismiss him with contempt. He must take this
ashamed of himself, and has no excuse for pretend-
beating and incalculable others ahead; but he
ing he does except his present unjust beleagure-
must come back and defiantly meet this and
ment.
take the next, because he has no other way to
He would do better to go forth with head held
persuade friend and foe that he exists and is
high, refuse to degrade himself with unfelt apolo-
there though his blood runs down through his
gies and lose with dignity no less probably than he
shoes. This, of all work, is the job for which life
would have without it.
trained Bill Clinton least; but he must rise up to
And he can draw inspiration for this brave pos.
it at the cost of just disappearing if he doesn't.
ture from. of all unexpected quarters, the very
He can only survive in history by casting off the
president whose carelessness and inattention has
calculating habits that got him into it.
February 10, 1995
DAILY NEWS
Putting the lie
to top doc fight
ORE often than not, research
that do offer kids more don't utter a
M
scientists involved in the test-
peep because to oppose Foster is to
ing of potential "wonder"
concede abortion as a litmus test.
drugs tend to be temperate in speech.
"I should have refused to answer
For fear of a spectacular flop, they
that question until I knew the exact
hedge their bets, couching their enthu-
number, said Foster. Wrong
siasm with words such as "hopeful,
No answer was the right answer
"encouraging" or "promising."
There is no magic number of abor
Npt so Dr. Henry Foster, President
tions, one would have been one too
Clinton's surgeon general nominee
many - and don't kid yourself that this
When Foster got a grant from Up-
is about his lying.
john in 1981 to test an abortion drug,
"Nobody's checked whether he real-
he chirped, "It's revolutionary!" -
ly delivered 10,000 babies, or did
predicting that it
20,000 Pap smears,"
would change "abor-
notes Sanger
tions as we know
The Clinton admin-
them," ultimately en-
AMY
istration set Foster
abling women to abort
PAGNOZZI
up by posing the
at home
question first - and
He did not say as
it hurt many more
he did on "Nightline"
people than Foster.
the night before last in
It hurt 40 million
an interview set up by Clinton - "I ab-
uninsured Americans who still don't
hor abortions."
have health care.
What can you say about a doctor who
Says Sid Wolfe, director of Public
repeatedly performs a procedure he
Citizen Research Group, "This is the
finds abhorrent?
third time conservative lunacy has
The best news is that he lied.
sabotaged an able surgeon general.
First, Foster said it was one abor-
"C. Everett Koop was a Republican
tion, then less then a dozen, then 39,
nominee and pro-lifer, but when he
until Ted Koppel on "Nightline" noted
took on such issues as tobacco and
the abortions on 55 women out of 60 in
AIDS and pregnancy, he got resistance
the vaginal suppository study.
from the right
The doctor who performed abortions
"Masturbation brought down Joyce-
- but didn't want to - brought to you
lyn Elders. Abortion takes out Foster.
by the President who smoked pot, but
Who's next?"
didn't inhale.
This goes beyond individual nomi-
Correct me if I'm not up to date, but I
nees. At the behest of some members
understood that abortion. if not pot
of Congress. the General Accounting
smoking, was still legal.
Office is investigating whether the
The scenario becomes more absurd,
Commission Corps of the Public
with organizations such as Planned
Health Service should be dissolved.
Parenthood lining up behind Foster
How do you feel about having a sur-
based on what they think he thinks, not
geon civilian instead of a surgeon gen-
what he says.
eral? The title matters. The military ti-
"Dr. Foster believes abortion should
tle and uniform convey authority and
be available to the women who need
give credence to public health warn-
it," insists Alex Sanger, president of
ings that otherwise might be ignored
New York City Planned Parenthood.
It's the uniform that drives some
"Given the political realities of the
conservatives nuts when they hear
United States Senate. he chooses his
someone wearing it utter "masturba-
words carefully."
tion" or "condoms" or "AIDS."
Carefully?
They believe that if these dialogues
Asked by Koppel whether he favors
are necessary at all. they should stay
distribution of condoms to kids with
within the doctor-patient relationship.
parental consent he replied, "No."
beyond the realm of government.
Koppel: No?
INE and dandy for those who
Foster: Abstinence, that's what I fa-
F
have doctors.
vor. That's the bedrock of our program.
"Look what the surgeon gener-
As the school dropout rate resulting
al's warnings about smoking alone
from teenage pregnancy zooms along
have done," says Wolfe. "For very little
with the infant mor ality rate, and as
money they accomplish a tramendous
more children fall prey to sexually
amount of public health education
transmitted diseases, including AIDS.
Even. the worst surgeon general 15 a
Foster offers abstinence.
very visible doctor. For some Ameri-
THE PHILADE PHIA INQUIRER 2/10/95
False diagnosis
The muddle over Dr. Foster and abortion reveals
the White House's incompetence, not his character.
As the political debate over the
abortions performed as a private
nomination of Henry W. Foster Jr. as
physician, and 55 overseen as part of
surgeon general grows ever louder,
a hospital research program. Can
it's clear there are two strains of
this man be trusted?
opposition. One is understandable,
The answer is yes, and here's why.
the other hypocritical.
The concern about truth-telling is
Some on Capitol Hill are against
misplaced. The record shows that Dr.
the nomination because Dr. Foster,
Foster didn't lie. The White House
as a practicing obstetrician-gynecolo-
fumbled.
gist and an academic researcher, per-
In its haste to place the nominee
formed abortions. How many abor-
before the public, the Clinton ad-
tions he performed and under what
ministration failed to do its home-
conditions really doesn't matter to
work. According to Dr. Foster's ac-
people who are just dead-set against
count, aides pressured him to
abortion. The fact that the procedure
remember how many times he per-
is legal doesn't matter, either.
formed abortions over a 38-year ca-
It is frustrating to watch the nomi-
reer. His rough estimate was about a
nation of a man with such a broadly
dozen. Only after reviewing records
admirable record threatened by a
for three days did he come up with
single litmus test. But, given the con-
the more precise - and higher -
text of the deeply held views some
figure.
Americans have on abortion, the po-
Clearly, the 10,000 babies Dr. Fos-
sition of this set of opponents is un-
ter delivered were more important.
derstandable.
The major campaign he waged to
What's not understandable, or for-
fight teenage pregnancy was more
givable, is the way other politicians
important. The fact that President
looking to wound the Clinton admin-
Bush highlighted his community-ori-
istration while staying wishy-washy
ented efforts was more important.
on abortion are using the "charac-
Still, the White House goofed. If its
ter" issue as a ruse to oppose Dr.
critics want to oppose the nominee
Foster.
for that reason, well, that's politics.
The argument runs like this: First,
But that's not reason to impugn
the White House says that the nomi-
the integrity and character of a phy-
nee performed about a dozen abor-
sician who seems to have dedicated
tions. Then the number goes up - 39
his life to public good.
The Oregonian; 2-10-95
Anti-Foster campaign: The Big Chill
he mistake that presidents keep
who declared their "strong support" for Fos-
that there's a difference in whether, over
T
making about the job of surgeon
ter. Dr. Ralph W. Hale, executive director of
the course of a 20-year career, Foster per-
general is in thinking that it has
the ob-gyn group, wrote Clinton, "As 2 pas-
formed 12 or S9 abortions. Mostly, they're
something to do with public
sionate advocate for primary and preventive
upset because they have to face an issue -
health. The job is actually about sending
health care, Dr. Foster would certainly
and they're upset with ВП Clinton for mak-
measages, and whatever happens with the
bring the highest level of experience and ex.
ing It an issue.
nomination of Dr. Henry Foster Jr., the mes-
pertise to your administration as It attempts
"They should have taken the fmest doctor
sage has already gone out.
to address the nation's health care needs."
they could find in the country, someone
"There's a real chill factor here," said
Of course, the 85,000 obstetricians and BY.
near retirement without any controversy,"
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash, Wednesday
necologists are a dubious source here and
complained Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., always a
night. "Any obstetri-
besides, you might prefer to have your baby
profile in courage. But even the model of a
cian and gynecologist
delivered by Sen. Lott.
grandfatherly surgeon general urging Amer
has to think about it. If
The problem is that the medics still think
icans to eat their vegetables can get into
the fight is based on
that this is'about health issues.
trouble - as Republicans discovered when
the argument out there
But you can't actually discuss public-
the strongly anti-abortion Dr. C. Everett
at the moment, I think
health issues in A country where people put
Koop, the surgeon general chosen by Ronald
it's very disconcerting
doctors on Wanted postera.
Reagan, decided to talk about the activity
that we attack anyone
that leads people to seek abortions.
Dr. James Newhall and his wife Dr. Eliza-
based on that argu-
But if the president and senators who
beth Newhall. of Portland, are among a
ment."
dozen U.S. doctors on those Wanted posters,
claim to support abortion rights are think-
ing about taking a stand somewhere, this
The argument is, of
put out by the American Coalition of Life
wouldn't be a. bad place. Doctors, after all,
course, that Foster,
Activists. The posters offer of $5,000 reward
are already standing with Foster.
during a long and die-
for the conviction of people who haven't
tinguished career as an
done anything illegal, and are less likely to
"Tm amazed and embarrassed by the poll-
obstetrician and gynecologist, performed
find themselves in court than in a pool of
ticians of this nation," says Paul Kirk,
some abortions an operation that is not
blood. As Kate Michelman of the National
chairman of obstetrice and gynecology at
Oregon Health Sciences University. "Abor-
only a legal procedure but a constitutional
Abortion Rights Action League says of the
tion is legal. Abortion is something women
right Because of Foster's participation in
"Deadly Dozen" posters: "Let's just call it a
those operations, Senate Majority Whip
hit list."
choose. It's the responsibility of my profes-
sion to make it safe."
Trent Lott, R-Miss., says that Foster act-
And now. the nationally prominent Dr.
ing president of Meharry Medical College,
or course, that's just a medical opinion. In
Foster gets to be on that list - or maybe just
health policy fellow at the Association of Ac-
talking about a surgeon general, it may not
on the fringe of it.
even count.
ademic Health Centers in Washington, win-
"What they're re trying to do," says James
ner of a George Bush "Point of Light" award
And standing with Foster, and with a list'
Newhall, "is to'say that anybody who's ever
for founding R program to discourage teen
of other doctors who are being assulted for
done any abortions is a parish and cut off
pregnancy through abstinence - is "on the
trying to make a legal procedure a safe pro-
from the medical community. They are try.
fringe."
cedure, might be a little chilly.
ing to isolate anybody who provides abor.
But unless someons doss, things will very
And once you've announced who's on the
tions, and to a large extent, they've succeed.
soon get much colder.
fringe, you can make It really cold for them
ed."
out there.
Senators, desperately eager to avoid fac.
David Sarasohn is an associate aditor of
The fringe apparently includes the Ameri-
mg the real issue here, are trying hard to
The Oragonian He can be telephoned at
can Medical Association and the American
make this a question of numbers, or of
221-8523 or reached by mail at 1320 SW
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,
White House clumsiness. They're saying
Broadway, Portland, OR ST201.
Charles Krauthammer
Wash. Post; 2-10-95
It's Not Just
The Zealots
On the face of it, Rep. Henry
The fact that in selecting Foster
Waxman's defense of President
the administration overlooked the
Clinton's nominee for surgeon gen-
abortion issue is being blamed on
eral seems quite compelling: Yes,
the usual Clinton White House in-
Dr. Foster performed abortions.
competence. But there is much
But abortion is legal in this country.
more at work here.
So. what IS the fuss about?
The fact of the fuss indicates that
the question of abortion is not as
settled as many people think. Its
The fuss about Dr.
legality is settled: A majority of
Americans do not want it outlawed.
Foster indicates
But its morality is still very much in
doubt. President Clinton himself
that the question
says, "Our vision should be of an
America where abortion is safe,
of abortion is not
legal. but rare." Why rare. if there
is not something deeply troubling
as settled as many
about abortion?
It is that troubled feeling, even
among those who support legal
people think.
abortion, that is fueling the brou-
haha over Foster. Without that
"Abortion Issue Surprised White
feeling, the anti-Foster fervor of
House," ran the front-page headline
the antiabortion forces would find
in The Post. "Trouble for Surgeph
no resonance.
General-Designate Reflects Lack of
Most Americans consider abor-
Preparation." But you only prepare
tion a necessary evil. Necessary
for something if you think it impor-
because the alternative-women
tant. The lack of White House
dead and mutilated from illegal
preparation stems less from income
abortions they are going to have
petence than ideological insularity.
anyway-is worse. But evil none-
It is the same ideological insu-
theless. Something that, as Clinton
larity that found nothing terribly.
insists, should be rare.
exceptionable-until the fire-
Americans' deep distaste for
storm-with the racial spoils sys,
abortion is reflected in the very
tem advocated by Lani Guinier. It is
slogan of its advocates.
the same ideological insularity that
"Pro-choice" is a triumph of vacu-
found Joycelyn Elders's blunt advo-
ity. Choice is swell, but what kind
cacy of teen sexuality not just unob-
of rule is "choice"? Are pro-choicers
jectionable but bracing.
for gun choice? For school choice?
Staff error is an easy excuse.
For drug choice? Abortion is a pro-
The deeper problem is that the
cedure whose name even its advo-
Clinton White House inhabits an
cates prefer not to speak.
ideological milieu in which the
Presidential spokesman Mike
views of Guinier and Elders are
McCurry says that what Foster has
considered mainstream, and moral
done "is certainly legal and certain-
alarm at abortion is considered
ly within the bounds of medical
alien. It is only when these as-
ethics." Well yes, but not fully:
Abortion is not, for example, within
sumptions are taken beyond the
the bounds of the medical ethics of
cozy milieu and exposed to the
Bill Clinton's own alma mater. Bill
outside world that all hell breaks
Clinton went to Georgetown Uni-
loose. Then "surprise"-and the
versity, a Catholic institution. He
pretense that the fiasco is proce-
has never spoken of it as a hotbed
dural not philosophical.
of right-wing ideology or religious
Despite deep divisions at the ex-
extremism. Nonetheless, George-
tremes, Americans are coming to
town University Hospital will, on
an uneasy accommodation about,
principle, not perform abortions.
abortion: Let it be not criminalized
Georgetown is not unique. A sub-
but stigmatized. Abortion is not a
stantial number of obstetrician-gy-
morally neutral procedure. We do
necologists, perhaps 15 to 25 per-
not want it to become routine. Stig-
cent. will not perform abortions.
matization is an appropriate. useful,
They may not want to see abortion
non-coercive way to help make
criminalized. but they consider the
abortion rare.
act so offensive that they want no
In a society where the majority
part of it.
of people want abortion to be legal,
Clearly Dr. Foster does not.
but fully 40 percent believe that it
That is the root of the controversy
involves the destruction of a human,
surrounding his nomination The
life, legal but stigmatized abortion
idea that those troubled by Foster's
is about the best compromise that
abortion history are just religious
we can find. Which is why there is
zealots and antiabortion fanatics is
such unease at the prospect of a
simply wrong. (According to Rep.
doctor who has performed abore
Jerrold Nadler, for example, "the
tions (number and circumstance as
thugs in the Senate who are talking
about blocking this nomination be-
yet unknown) and conducted exper-
cause of abortion are in the same
iments with abortion-inducing
thuggish spectrum as people who
drugs becoming surgeon general.
are shooting doctors performing
The charge that people want to
abortions.") The morality of abor-
destroy Dr. Foster's career be-
tion IS a mainstream issue. For
cause he performed abortions WS
most Americans abortion is not the
nonsense. No one denies him the
moral equivalent of an appendecto-
right to be a surgeon. The only
my. It poses serious moral prob-
question is whether he should be a
lems. How can anyone choosing a
surgeon general. an office that con-
surgeon general not be sensitive to
fers the moral leadership of Ameri-
that fact?
can medicine.
N.Y. Times; 2-10-95
The Tainted Foster Nomination
The nomination of Dr. Henry Foster Jr. to be
ing among adolescents, one of the most pressing
surgeon general has been so badly bungled, by the
social issues confronting the nation. He developed a
White House and by Dr. Foster himself, that there is
highly successful program, called "I Have a Fu-
little choice but to hope it dies quickly. Although Dr.
ture," in Nashville that was honored by President
Foster is a highly respected obstetrician, his lack of
Bush as one of his "points of light."
candor about his abortion record disqualifies him
During a 30-year practice Dr. Foster, like many
from serious consideration. Misleading statements
obstetricians, performed a number of abortions. In
by candidates for high position simply cannot be
doing so he was providing a legal, constitutionally
condoned.
protected medical service. If the latest numbers put
Of course the chief blame for this debacle lies
forth are correct, he performed 39 surgical abor-
with the White House, which once again put forth a
tions during his 38-year medical career, a once-a-
nominee without adequately vetting the person's
year rate that seems modest for a very busy
background or knowing the answers to potentially
practitioner serving a needy population. He was
explosive questions. As a result, the Administration
also the titular head of a federally sanctioned test of
put out false information on the number of abortions
a potential abortion suppository.
performed by Dr. Foster. In this as in earlier
This record would in any case have probably
episodes, White House bungling makes it difficult
inflamed America's anti-choice minority, which is
for President Clinton's natural allies to support him
fierce and well organized and has good friends in
fully. The situation moves from difficult to impossi-
Congress. But since most Americans believe that
ble for pro-choice Republicans like Senator Nancy
women should retain the right to choose, Dr. Fos-
Kassebaum of Kansas, who cannot reasonably be
ter's nomination might well have been pushed
expected to take a political gamble amid such
through the Senate had his record been forthrightly
swirling incompetence.
presented. Instead both he and the Administration
That is a shame because Dr. Foster, based on
made it look as if their accounts were unreliable or
his past record, is a good choice to succeed Dr.
designed to mask a more troubling history.
Joycelyn Elders, who was pushed from the job after
President Clinton promises to fight for his
her repeated intemperate language made her a
nominee and Dr. Foster pledges to stay the course.
target for conservative attacks. Dr. Foster, the
But this is a fight that neither the White House nor
acting director of Meharry Medical College in Ten-
Congress really wants over a crippled candidacy. It
nessee, is deeply committed to delaying child-bear-
is time to withdraw the nomination.
L.A. Times; 2-10-95
Another Botched Job?
Poor staff work at White House imperils Foster
Leon E. Panetta, the White House
sleepiest White House aide to what
chief of staff, acknowledges that Ad-
could be expected. But there is no
ministration officials "did not serve the
evidence that the White House in fact
President well" when they failed to
anticipated trouble, and certainly it was
look as fully as political circumstances
anything but well-prepared. Pressured
demanded into the background of Dr.
by the White House to give a tally on
Henry Foster Jr., the obstetrician-
the abortions he had performed, Foster
gynecologist who has been nominated
guessed about a dozen. Only well into
by President Clinton to be the surgeon
the controversy did a study of his
general. The admission, however, was
medical records for the last 38 years fix
misdirected. Although Clinton was once
on 39 as the actual number.
again ill-served by his aides, the real
That Foster in the course of a long
victim in this instance is Foster, who
and honorable career performed abor-
has been needlessly humiliated and had
tions-a procedure he says he personal-
his credibility questioned because inex-
ly abhors-is in no way disqualifying.
cusably poor staff work failed to antici-
The problem is that the mishandling of
pate or prepare him for the questions
this matter has deepened the ordeal
that would inevitably be asked about
that he will face in the confirmation
his experiences with abortion.
process.
The existence of a politically influen-
Botched White House staff work
tial anti-abortion lobby is not exactly a
earlier helped sink the prospects of Zoe
secret in Washington, and the Presi-
Baird, Kimba Wood and Lani Guinier.
dent's choice of an obstetrician-gyne-
It's time for the message to get through
cologist as the nation's top medical
at the White House that enough is
official should have alerted even the
enough.
FEB-14-95 TUE 18:10
HHS ORD ROV
FAX NO. 3123534144
P. .05/06
Detroit Free Press (MI):
February 10, 1995
The reluctant nomination
Clinton hems
38 or 699. Either way, Kassebaum was.
Now we have 2 repeat of that
steamed.
experience. To the accusations that
Clinton has reaffirmed his support
Foster may have performed many
and haws
of Foster, but not before the White
abortions, Clinton should have said:
House, characteristically. backed off a
"So what?" Abortions are legal and
bit. It suggested that if Foster's abor-
Clinton is pro-choice. To many people,
and satisfies
tion figure went over, say, one dozen, it
particularly women, it was the single
would have problems with the man.
most important difference between
Since the White House arranged the
Clinton and George Bush. This, in
"Nightline" interview, the president
other words, was a wedge issue, not to
no one
apparently is comfortable with the lat-
mention a matter of principle. The
est figure. Like Jack Benny. Foster is
wedge, though, has been blunted. the
principle has been fudged.
holding at 39.
The nomination of Dr. Henry Fos-
Clinton also might have reminded
ter Jr. as surgeon general has fast
In the end, the Foster fiap may not
people that the man under consider-
become one of those debacles for
turn on abortion, but on credibility. No
ation is an OB-GYN - preciscly the
which the Clinton administration is
matter how many abortions be per-
justly famous. These political calami-
formed. if he tried to fudge his record
ties begin with sloppy White House
his critics would be entitled to their
field where a physician is likely to have
staff work, proceed to a terrified reac-
outrage and the administration would
to perform abortions. That is the na-
tion to critics
be correct to withdraw and start anew.
ture of the practice. You counsel your
and end, too of-
As luck would have it, the White House
RICHARD
patient, treat her, maybe prescribe
ten, with the
has some experience in these matters,
birth control measures - and if that
COHEN
president strad-
having chosen two attorney general
fails, continue your obligation by,
dling both sides
nominees before a third. Janet Reno,
sometimes, performing an abortion.
of the issue -
finally made it.
On 2 good day, you deliver a baby. On
equally afraid to
That sorry record is precisely what
another day, you have to perform an
make enemies
many in this town are now recalling.
abortion. Foster now says he had 39
or lose friends.
But a more apt precedent is the gays in
bad days. That hardly makes him an
In the end, he
the military flap that contributed great-'
abortionist.
loses the re-
ly to the public perception that Clinton
Given the facts, Foster presented
spect of both.
was not a New Democrat after all, but
Clinton a chance to remind people that
there is a difference between him and
At the mo-
ment, the pur-
the conservative Republicans who now
just an old-fashioned liberal. He holds
ported issue
control the House. Senate and -
the view that a person's sexual orienta-
seems to be the
maybe more important - talk radio. It
tion does not matter, just as long as he
number of abor-
is a difference that matters to a great
or she caused no trouble and did his or
tions Foster either performed or su-
many people. Instead, the White House
her job. Imagine!
pervised. The tally keeps changing -
reacted weakly. Why? Does it think it's
That proposition. so sensible I still
from the original dozen or so to the 39
going to get the votes of the anti-
cannot understand the fuss, was never-
he acknowledged in a "Nightline" in-
abortion crowd? Fat chance. Have the
theless political dynamite. So what did
terview this week. The number 700
midterm elections changed matters so
Clinton do? He hemmed. He hawed. He
appears in the transcript of a 1978
radically that what was principle in
backed and he filled. In the end, he
hearing, but it's not clear if Foster was
October became expediency in No-
satisfied no one - not those who
referring to abortions or amniocente-
vember? Maybe.
thought he was right, and not those
sis, which are two different proce-
Whatever the reason, the White
who thought he was a woolly-headed
dures. To a strict anti-abortionist,
House has left the impression that its
former hippie who didn't know squat
though, the numbers game is without
position on abortion is a variation of its
about military service and, of course,
moral difference, and it ought to be the
gays in the military compromise: Don't
showers.
same for the pro-choice White House
ask, don't tell and don't, for heaven's
as well. What's clear is that the man
sake, take a firm stand.
has performed abortions.
The Senate, which likes its nomina-
tions neat, is in an uproar. To make
matters worse, Kansas' Nancy Kasse-
baum, a rare pro-chaice Republican,
was erroneously told by a White House
aide that Foster had performed only
one abortion. The figure is off by either
FEB-14-95 TUE 18:08
HHS ORD ROV
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rebruary
10,
It isn't Foster who should be fired
I
T'S A WONDER that Bill Clinton finds anyone
figure before he could check his medical records.
willing to serve in his administration. One after
The number of abortions he performed should
another candidate for this or that high position
not be a factor in his nomination at all. Abortion
is brought forward. Then someone discovers a
has been legal since 1973. But the issue is so
shadow from the past. Clinton, having vowed to
volatile that any involvement Foster had with it
stand by his man (or woman), inevitably waffles
would inevitably stir controversy. That's why the
and the nominee goes down
White House had a special
in flames. What a dismal
The number of abortions that
obligation to get all the facts
excuse for leadership.
before the Foster nomina-
Henry Foster is the latest
Foster performed should not
tion. became public.
femerging victim. The Nash-
be a factor in his nomination
If Foster deliberately lied
ville physician and educa-
at all. Abortion has been legal
about his past, that by itself
tor, who made his name
would be disqualifying; his
with a widely praised pro-
since 1973.
credibility would be under-
gram to prevent teen preg-
mined. But so far, there's no
nancy, appears well qualified to be the next surgeon
proof that he dissembled. He seems to have made
general and deserves to be confirmed. But a dispute
an honest slip in the heat of the spotlight.
over his record on abortion may doom his nomina-
The real culprits here are a slipshod White House
tion.
staff and a president who seems constitutionally
At first, the White House said Foster had per-
incapable of running a tighter ship. From Zoe Baird
formed only one abortion in his 38-year obstetrical
and Kimba Wood to Lani Guinier and Bobby
practice; then Foster said it was "fewer than a
Inman, Clinton nominees have been inadequately
dozen." mostly to save the mother's life or in cases
vetted, only to falter over nanny taxes and other
of rape or incest. Now, Foster says the number was
mistakes. Will Clinton & Co. ever learn: to: get it
actually 39; he had felt pressured to come up with a
right the first time? The clock is running out.
DI. roster answer was. wen. Chinton-
ian. "We have a responsibility in training
residents to maintain our accreditation.
said the former acting head of Meharry
Wall St. Jrnl.; 2-10-95-
Medical College in Nashville. as if abortion
Clinton Fails
research is essential to medical training.
After more probing. Dr. Foster added that
the pill, which his study used to induce 55
His Own
abortions. would have been preferable to
mechanical procedures."
But this answer implies that far from
Litmus Test
abhorring abortion, Dr. Foster wanted to
make it easier to obtain. The same intent
"It is, and it makes me uncomfort-
comes across in news clips and transcripts
able."
quoting Dr. Foster about his research at
Thus did Bill Clinton. in 1992. admit to
the time. In sum it suggests that he is, or
Bill Moyers that abortion would be a "lit-
at least was, an abortion-rights activist.
mus test" for his judicial nominees. The
That the White House somehow
line was classic Clinton, a raw political
missed-or dismissed-all this suggests
judgment bathed in shrewd. deliberately
incompetence. but worse. a cultural tin
mollifying. sentiment.
ear. It ignores Mr. Clinton's own 1992 in-
Candidate Clinton's response recog-
sight that abortion makes Americans "un-
nized that while liberal activists demanded
comfortable." And it totally misjudges the
his fealty, the broader public is deeply am-
sentiments of the new Republican major-
bivalent about abortion. Mr. Clinton man-
ity in Congress.
aged that balancing act as a candidate.
For while the "Contract With America"
But it's now collapsed around him with the
avoids most social issues, they are not far
opposition to his surgeon general candi-
from GOP minds. Newt Gingrich's early
date, Henry Foster Jr. Litmus tests have a
salvo on school
way of becoming double-edged swords.
prayer was a (failed)
When Mr. Clinton introduced Dr. Fos-
attempt to please so-
ter, a Tennessee physician. he seemed a
cial conservatives,
sensible choice. Here was an articulate so-
who remain essential
cial moderate who believed in more than
to the GOP coalition.
teenage-salvation through condoms. And
Gary Bauer of the
whether or not he'd performed one, or even
Family Research
(as he first claimed) "fewer than a dozen,"
Council points out
abortions, that didn't seem untoward for
that a pro-life third-
an ob/gyn with a longtime practice.
party candidate won
But then came the tide of other facts,
12% in Pennsylva-
which suggest Dr. Foster was more in the
nia's gubernatorial
vanguard of the abortion-rights movement
race last fall, though
Henry Foster
than the White House advertised. For ex-
she spent almost nothing. You can be sure
ample, White House spinners somehow
Bob Dole and other GOP presidential can-
failed to mention Dr. Foster's past mem-
didates noticed too.
bership in Planned Parenthood. which is
Abortion foes figure they picked up
the Operation Rescue of the left: archly
about five Senate seats, and as many as 40
absolutist.
House seats, in November. That doesn't
And it's precisely this political abso-
mean they will press a constitutional abor-
lutism that is now tripping up Dr. Foster.
tion ban, which they know can't pass. But
Planned Parenthood's annual reports list
it does mean a majority exists in Congress
the Tennessean on its board in 1979 and
to block the abortion-rights agenda.
1980. But only a year later. Planned Par-
Moreover, the Foster nomination
enthood was among the groups that op-
doesn't force Republicans to vote on what
posed C. Everett Koop's nomination as sur-
would really rip them apart, which is the
geon general because he opposed abortion
outright banning of abortion. Instead it
rights.
asks them to make a judgment-in effect a
Liberals were later amazed that Dr.
cultural statement-about the values of
Koop had more on his mind than abortion,
someone nominated to be the nation's top
just as Dr. Foster does today. But the lib-
physician. Dr. Foster's ever-changing
erals who now say abortion is "irrelevant"
abortion numbers also let Republicans fo-
cus on his credibility. rather than on abor-
Potomac Watch
tion alone. This is especially damaging for
a candidate to be surgeon general, who
has power only to the extent he has moral
By Paul A. Gigot
authority.
Mr. Clinton is the one who has pinned
himself into another corner. After Lani
for a surgeon general can hardly be sur-
Guinier and Joycelyn Elders. liberals
prised if abortion foes have longer memo-
aren't giving him any room to give up on
ries.
Dr. Foster. These absolutists want Mr.
On ABC's "Nightline" Wednesday, Ted
Clinton to sound the trumpet for the nomi-
Koppel also zeroed in on Dr. Foster's re-
nee solely on abortion rights. a fight that
search in the early 1980s to create an abor-
even if he wins will have a cost. As one
tion pill. "I abhor abortions." declared Dr.
GOP senator put it this week. "He will be
Foster. But if that's true. asked Mr. Kop-
blamed for again bringing up a subject the
pel, why "lead a study in behalf of a chem-
public finds pretty unpleasant."
ical company, the sole purpose of which
As usual, Mr. Clinton's instincts were
was early abortion?"
correct when he said in 1992 that abortion
should be "safe, legal-and rare." But as
president his policy choices-such as sup-
port for public financing-have stressed
only the first two on that list. Dr. Foster
will survive only if he can persuade Re-
publicans that his agenda is the third.
Chgo. Trib.; 2-9-95
Dr. Foster: Is history repeating itself?
President Clinton and his aides ought to have
performed abortions during his 30-plus years as a
mastered the process of vetting potential presidential
physician, intensified this week when some of the
nominees by now. But, sadly, the axioms about prac-
anti-abortion groups circulated information indicat-
tice making perfect and learning from your mistakes
ing the doctor might have performed more abortions
seem not to have sunk in at the White House.
than he had said originally, and that he had run a
That's too bad-too bad for Dr. Henry W. Foster Jr.,
drug-test study in which most of the women induced
Clinton's choice to be the next surgeon general; too
abortions.
bad for the president, who has enhanced his reputa-
As a result, it looks as though Clinton might not
tion for ineptitude; and too bad for Americans sick of
have known all he should have about the man, or
the kind of one-issue, take-no-prisoners politics at the
that the president and other White House officials
center of the furor over Foster's nomination to re-
underestimated the impact on many ordinary Ameri-
place Dr. Joycelyn Elders.
cans of the abortion issue. (Alas, this is but another
If Clinton & Co. had fully absorbed the lessons
piece of evidence of a worrisome disconnect between
taught by the whipsawing of earlier unsuccessful
the White House and less rarefied parts of the U.S.)
nominees-Zoe Baird, Kimba Wood, Lani Guinier, to
Yet it's necessary to underline the "looks as
name three-they would have assured themselves
though" and the "might not have known" at the top
that there were no possible landmines in Foster's
of the previous paragraph. For the central, salient
background before going public with his nomination.
fact-one at risk of being overlooked in all the hub-
Then the anti-abortion groups and likeminded
bub-is that nothing has been established one way or
lawmakers raising a hue and cry about Foster, an
another about Foster's fitness, or lack thereof, to be
obstetrician-gynecologist from Tennessee, would not
surgeon general.
have gained the initiative, threatening to kill his
That he performed abortions should not automati-
chances to serve in Washington even before he has
cally disqualify him. Now, though, the matter of his
an opportunity to sell himself to a Senate committee.
credibility and veracity also has to be addressed.
Democratic Sen. John Breaux of Louisiana, lux-
But this should take place in the proper forum-a
uriating in his mixed metaphors, said Foster faced
legislative hearing room, before a Senate committee.
"rough seas. He's got a rocky road ahead of him."
Dr. Foster must be given a chance to be heard, not
Opposition to him, originally stirred by his having
judged prematurely.
Chgo. Trib.; 2-9-95
But no less caring a group than the American
Academy of Pediatrics approved that double
Getting past the
message this week. The AAP issued a new policy
statement saying while sexual abstinence should
be encouraged, young people who want condoms
sound-bites on
should be able to get them at school.
To justify its stand, the AAP pointed out that the
United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate
Foster's nomination
of any developed nation. The number of teens with
HIV infections doubles every 14 months. Teens are
also more likely than adults to acquire other
sexually-transmitted diseases that may have no
t's no wonder President Clinton's nomination
immediate symptoms yet cause long-term problems
I
for surgeon general is in trouble. Clinton
such as chronic infection. ectopic pregnancy,
chose Dr. Henry W. Foster Jr., an obstetrician
infertility. miscarriage and babies with congenital
and gynecologist. chiefly because he is
problems.
involved in problems of teen pregnancy and
But even used properly, condoms are not a
infant mortality.
perfect protection, against either unwanted
But they are among the most politically loaded
pregnancy or HIV. Distributing them in the
and morally divisive issues of our times. Solving
schools tells teens sex is OK and expected.
them. on a national scale, will take more wisdom
Students who would like to wait can't help but feel
than can now be found in Washington.
they have lost the support of school and
If Foster is confirmed, after what Republicans
community. And in this permissive school climate,
say may be a bruising battle in the Senate, he will
more teens will have sex, including those who lack
still have to try to solve problems mostly rooted in
the self-discipline and responsibility to use
condoms and those whose protection fails.
Foster should also face some questions about
Joan Beck
why the United States ranks 24th in the world in
infant mortality rates. The answer is not as simple
as more and more convenient health care, as a
behavior-not medicine-and remediable in large
new study reported in the Journal of the American
part only by changing behavior.
Medical Association shows.
But how do you change behavior? With a carrot
or a stick? With more government benefits or a
Immigrant women-many of them poor,
uneducated, deficit in English-had a lower rate of
welfare cut-off? With understanding and support
infant mortality than native-born Americans,
or with moral sanctions and shame? With lectures
according to the study. A higher percentage of
on abstinence or free condoms?
their babies were born in good health.
Even the most concerned, most caring, of experts
Southeast Asian women living in the United
disagree. Because opinions spring from deeply
States had the lowest infant mortality rate-6.6
rooted religious, moral, economic and social
convictions, the controversies can be bitter and
deaths per 1,000 live births, the researchers found
after studying hundreds of thousands of birth
compromise elusive.
records in California. For Hispanics, the infant
Foster's critics immediately fastened on the hot-
button issue of abortion for their initial attacks.
mortality rate was 7.3. It was 8.0 for whites and
16.2 for African-Americans. Most of the Asian and
The Nashville physician says he has performed
Hispanic women were foreign-born. Most of the
white and African-American women were born in
the U.S.
Even when they are used properly,
Using a scale to evaluate the health of newborns,
condoms are not a perfect protection,
the researchers reported that 61 percent of the
babies of foreign-born women score at the top,
against either unwanted pregnancy or
while only 54 percent of the infants of native-born
HIV. Distributing them in the schools tells
Americans did. Fifty-six percent of babies with
teens sex is OK and expected.
U.S.-born white mothers had a top rating,
compared with 43 percent of the infants of U.S.-
born black mothers and 50 percent of foreign-born
black women.
fewer than a dozen abortions during 30 years in
What made the difference? Sifting through
practice, most of them in cases of rape or incest or
mountains of data, researchers learned the U.S.-
danger to the woman's life. (Pro-life critics charge
born women had higher levels of education,
the toll is much higher.)
employment and income. But they were more
Polls show that even among people opposed to
likely to have had abortions, to have more sexually
abortion on demand. a majority would make
transmitted diseases and genito-urinary problems.
exception when the mother's life is endangered or
to smoke. abuse alcohol and other drugs and have
she is a victim of rape or incest. Even so, Foster
risk factors for AIDS. They were also more likely
will face sharp questions on his connection with
to be a victim of child or spousal abuse and to
Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and his stand on
have stressful relations with the baby's father.
related issues.
If it is the behavior of women-rather than
Foster's predecessor. Dr. Joycelyn Elders. lost
poverty or even late prenatal care-that does the
her job in part because she advocated giving out
most harm to babies. what do we do about it? If
condoms in public schools. But many people
infant mortality and poor pregnancy outcome are
concerned about teenage pregnancy and sexually.
linked more closely to morality than to socio-
transmitted diseases are appalled by the idea. It
economic status, how do we get things to improve?
sends the message that schools approve of teen
If the Senate can rise above the issue of Foster's
sex-or at least expect it of students. It undercuts
abortion record. maybe it can stir some urgently
teaching about abstinence. And it is like telling a
needed debate about how the nation can move
child not to play with matches. but if he does, to
on-or back-to a climate of morality and
have some water handy.
responsibility that is healthier for mothers and
babies.
Honolulu Advertiser; 2-9-95
Surgeon general
White House boots another one
All we know about Dr. Henry
have expected heat. It's not as
Foster is what we hear from
if the anti-abortion forces have
the White House, which
failed to communicate their
explains why his nomination as
expectations.
U.S. surgeon general is in
Clinton's team should have
jeopardy.
been prepared to stress Foster's
It seemed that the White
devotion to preaching sexual
House had no idea how many
abstinence to prevent teen-age
abortions Dr. Foster has
pregnancies, a quality that
performed in his career. One?
would have won him many
Less than 12? Hundreds? As of
friends among conservatives.
last night, that number stood at
Instead, White House officials
39. The point is that no one
seemed to be trying to atone
readily knew - a signal that
for the abortions by suggesting
someone misjudged the impact
they were outnumbered by the
of this issue.
10,000 normal deliveries Foster
The man is a gynecologist. In
has made in his long career.
a nation where abortion is legal,
It's appalling how little
we'd be surprised if he hadn't
Clinton's team has learned
performed such procedures. We
about the nomination process
certainly don't consider it a
since his first year, when he
reflection on his ability to be
left nominees Zoe Baird, Kimba
surgeon general.
Wood and Lani Guinier twisting
Yet President Clinton should
in the wind.
FEB-14-95 TUE 18:09
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MILWAUKEE SENTINEL:
February 9, 1995 EDITORIAL
Foster matter
White House staff
still hasn't learned
Oh, my!"
popular sportscaster can take words so
ordinary and. with an inflection here and a tonal
adjustment there. sum up a game situation with 2
flourish.
And oh, my, so it is with the newest political
mess for President Clinton, created by a staff that
seems not to have learned from the mistakes of the
past and still is in its on-thc-job training mode,
despite frequent shake-ups.
:
The issue here is not so much whether Henry
Foster, Clinton's nominee for surgeon general,
performed abortions or how many.
- It is about sloppy staff work and the inability of
the administration to recognize political quicksand
when it sees it.
:with barely enough time to allow the public to
Forget the Joycelyn M. Elders flasco and her forced
departure as surgeon general, the Clinton team
came up with what it believed was an acceptable
replacement - "the perfect profile," as top aides
put it; a man heavily involved in curbing teen
pregnancy and who had delivered thousands of
babies.
However, Clinton received incomplete
information on Foster, an obstetrician-gynecologist
from Tennessee. Then Clinton was embarrassed by
the release of inadequate background information
on Foster.
So, Clinton has a new political fight on his
bands, at exactly the wrong time and on exactly
the wrong issue.
The nomination has degenerated into an
argument over how many abortions Foster has
performed and whether Foster misrepresented his
record.
That raises legitimate concerns that the White
House was insensitive to the issues that inevitably
would be raised.
: Foster's nomination troubles began when he
maintained that he had performed fewer than a
dozen abortions - mostly in cases of rape, incest
DLA threat to the mother's life.
Later, pro-life groups presented quotations from
a 1978 hearing at which Foster reportedly said he
performed perhaps as many as 700 "amniocentesis
and therapeutic" abortions. Foster has denied
making those comments.
Whatever the number. Foster's case for
confirmation has been badly damaged. particularly
since the White House initially conceded only one
abortion to Foster.
My. oh my.
Colbert I. King
Wash. Post; 2-9-95
Surgeon General Dismay: They Keep Doing It
Leave it to the Clinton administration to
cal educator and administrator, had performed
Deval Patrick. a young but able lawyer. and
blow something as easy as selecting a surgeon
legal abortions.
presto. the administration was held harmiess
general. In what should have been a slam
What's worse. after giving out erroneous
in the black community.
dunk, the White House has managed to draft a
information 00 how many abortions Foster had
In the rush to achieve the same result this
nommee who's already in foul trouble before
performed. the nommee and the administra-
time, the administration underestimated its
play gets started. How does Bill Chnton man-
tion are now flapping around trying to come up
opposition, failed to do its homework and-
age to do this to himself time after time?
with an exact count. as if the number will
just as bad-failed to give Foster time to do
February being black history month, I
make any difference to abortion foes. Stress-
his.
looked to the musings of that late African
ing the low number of abortions performed by
What's even worse, officials hoped to use
American philosopher-comedienne Jackie
Foster is about as significant to abortion
Foster's high-profile work on teen pregnancy
(Moms) Mabley for insight. Moms, who had
opponents as telling a woman in her first
in Nashville as a principal theme in his job as
advice for everybody, used to tell undisci-
trimester that she is only a little bit pregnant.
surgeon general, when they knew full well
plined youths with raging hormones, "Do
To the anti-choice groups, one abortion is too
that the significant work on the issue in the
whatever you want to do, but by all means,
many.
context of welfare reform will occur within the
know what you're doing." If Moms were
With that news out in the open, Bill Clin-
bailwick of a conservative Congress and
around today, she might say the Chintonites'
ton-aiready under the gun on Capitol Hill-
among faceless administration policy wonks
big problem is their tendency to do just the
must now engage in a divisive and unexpected
with little personal knowledge of poverty and
opposite: They swing their mouths in motion
confirmation battle. And that perhaps is the
only textbook and dinner party understanding
before they set their minds in gear. The
greatest indictment of all against the White
of what it means to grow up black and poor in
nomination of Dr. Henry Foster is a case in
House staff. With the Clinton presidency half
America.
point.
gone, administration stumblers and blunderers
Foster, like his predecessor. would be out
Having spent a few years of my pre-journal-
are still getting him into political conflicts that
and about touting abstinence and more per-
ist life on the board of directors of the local
be neither anticipates nor is ready to fight.
sonal responsibility and making Bill Clinton
area Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan
The shame of it all is that Dr. Foster, who
look good. while real policy gets set in Wash-
Washington, I'm no stranger to what goes on
began the week with a sterling reputation,
ington. For that reason alone. Foster might
inside planned parenthood clinics. You don't
could end the month as damaged goods. For-
well regard the coming struggle as a blessing
have to be a clinic operator, however, to know
mer Bush administration health and human
in disguise and consider his options.
that along with family planning counseling and
services secretary Louis Sullivan, who has
REUTER
Anyway, why should someone of Foster's
contraceptive services, some facilities offer
known Foster since their undergraduate days
reputation want to get involved with these
the option of terminating pregnancies.
at Morehouse College in the 1950s. says the
jettisoning of Dr. Joycelyn Elders, an outspo-
klutzes? In pickup basketball games in my old
You also don't have to be a political genius
nominee is "a decent guy. a conciliator, who
ken but popular figure in the African American
neighborhood, there were some guys who
to know that in asking a new Republican
would be an effective surgeon general." Sulli-
community. The tactic had worked before
were never guarded very closely because they
Senate loaded with a majority or near majority
van wants to know how it could come to this.
when Chnton found himself in a tight spot with
could be counted on to double-dribble or blow
of anti-abortion members to confirm a Planned
That part's easy.
his most loyal constituency over his dumping
layups at a crucial moment in the game. They
Parenthood activist as the next surgeon gen-
The White House chased Foster for all the
of Lani Guinier. After that fiasco, the White
were said to be "self-checked." That about
eral. the administration was inviting a test of
wrong reasons. As an African American phy-
House let it be known that Guinier's Justice
sizes up this administration.
strength with politically energized anti-choice
sician with strong credentials in fighting teen-
Department post as Civil Rights Division chief
groups. And that was before it was disclosed
age pregnancy, Foster was seen as the perfect
would be filled with another black. After
The writer is a member of the editorial page
that the nominee, a respected physician, medi-
makeup call after Bill Clinton's unceremonious
months of delay, the White House appointed
staff.
Richard Cohen
Wash. Post; 2-9-95
The Doctor Is In/Out
For his nomination of Dr. Henry Foster Jr.
by either 11 or 699. Either way, Kassebaum is
That sorry record is precisely what many in
Clinton might also have reminded people
as surgeon general, President Clinton has
steamed.
this town are now recalling. But a more apt
that the man under consideration is in ob-
been attacked from both ends of the political
And so are certain pro-choice legislators on
precedent is the gays-in-the-military flap,
gyn-precisely the field where a physician is
spectrum. When journalists come under the
the Democratic left. One of them, Rep. Patri-
which contributed greatly to the public per-
likely to have to perform abortions. That is the
same sort of criticism, they comfort them-
cia Schroeder (D-Colo.), said she and others
ception that Clinton was not a New Democrat
nature of the practice. You counsel your pa-
selves with the canard that the truth lies
were sending Clinton some bottles of spray
after all but just an old-fashioned liberal. He
tient, treat her, maybe prescribe birth control
somewhere in the middle. Clinton, never mind
starch to strengthen his resolve. FedEx, UPS
holds the view that a person's sexual orienta-
journalists, would be wrong to reach the same
or whatever service she used. the starch
tion does not matter, just as long as he or she
measures-and if that fails, continue your
conclusion. In this case, all his critics are right.
apparently arrived too late.
caused no trouble and did his or her job.
obligation by, sometimes, performing an abor-
His middle is a moral muddle.
Clinton has now reaffirmed his support of
Imagine!
tion. On a good day, you deliver a baby. On
Foster, but not before the White House char-
That proposition, so sensible I still cannot
another day, you have to perform an abortion.
The primary issue, of course, is whether
Foster performed no more than a dozen abor-
acteristically backed off a bit. It suggested that
understand the fuss, was nevertheless political
Given the facts, Foster presented Clinton a
tions, as he apparently maintains, or 700, as a
if Foster's abortion figure went over, say, one
dynamite. So what did Clinton do? He
chance to remind people that there is a differ-
confusing transcript of a 1978 hearing pur-
dozen, it would have problems with the man.
hemmed. He hawed. He backed and he filled.
ence between him and the conservative Re-
portedly indicates. But it's not clear if the
Apparently, the president is pro-choice only
In the end, he satisfied no one-not those who
publicans who now control the House, Senate
number 700 refers to abortions or amniocen-
until the number 13. After that, he's a regular
thought he was right and not those who
and-maybe more important-talk radio. It is
tesis, which are two different procedures. To a
Phyllis Schlafly.
thought he was a woolly minded former hippie
a difference that matters to a great many
strict anti-abortionist, though, the numbers
In the end, the Foster flap may turn not on
who didn't know squat about military service
people. Instead, the White House reacted
game is without moral difference. What's clear
and, of course, showers.
abortion but on credibility. No matter how
weakly. Why? Does it think it's going to get
is that the man has performed abortions.
many abortions he performed. if he was less
Now we have a repetition of that exper-
the votes of the anti-abortion crowd? Fat
The upshot is that the White House is once
ence. To the accusations that Foster may have
than candid about his record, his nomination is
chance. Have the midterm elections changed
performed many abortions, Clinton should
again embroiled in one of those messy nomi-
doomed. Under those circumstances, his crit-
have said, "So what?" Abortions are legal and
matters so radically that what was principle in
nation fights that bespeak poor staff work, and
ics would be entitled to their outrage. and the
Clinton-remember-is pro-choice. To many
October became expediency in November?
has gotten the Senate, which likes its nomina-
administration would be correct to withdraw
people, particularly women, it was the single
Maybe.
tions neat, in an uproar. To make matters
and start anew. As luck would have it, the
most important difference between Clinton
Whatever the reason, the White House has
worse, Kansas's Sen. Nancy Kassebaum, a
White House has some experience in these
and George Bush. This, in other words, was a
left the impression that its position on abortion
rare pro-choice Republican, was erroneously
matters, having chosen two attorney general
wedge issue, not to mention a matter of
is a variation on its gays-in-the-military com-
told by a White House aide that Foster had
nominees before a third. Janet Reno. finally
principle. The wedge, though, has been blunt-
promise: Don't ask, don't tell and don't, for
performed only one abortion. The figure is off
made it.
ed. the principle fudged.
heaven's sake, take a firm stand.
NEW YORK POST, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9. 1995
White House fumble on Dr. Foster
With abortion legal, the fact that an
focusing on the administration's appar-
obstetrician-gynecologist has performed
ent inability to tell the truth.
the procedure isn't surprising - cer-
The claim that Foster, during a nearly
tainly, it shouldn't disqualify such a phy-
30-year medical career, performed fewer
sician from serving as United States sur-
than 12 abortions - "primarily" in cases
geon general
of rape or incest or threats to the moth-
But the inability of the White House to
er's life - serves as a case in point.
come clean on the number of abortions
From the outset, this contention strained
its surgeon general-nominee has per-
credulity.
formed - the official count has been re-
It was hard, therefore, to be surprised
vised repeatedly since Henry Foster was
by the appearance of a transcript - re-
nominated last week to replace Joycelyn
leased Monday by the National Right to
Elders - demonstrates a striking lack of
Life Committee - quoting Dr. Foster as
candor.
saying he had "done a lot of amniocente-
It appears as though no one in the
sis and therapeutic abortions, probably
Clinton administration recognized that
near 700."
abortion-related questions might even be
By way of response the White House
raised, a curious lapse in the context of
which originally told Republican sen-
nominating an obstetrician and gynecol-
ators that Foster had performed just one
ogist to a top public health post.
abortion (the number 12 came later) -
We'd wager, moreover, that if the
questioned whether he'd even made the
White House had simply detailed Fos-
remark at issue. It was suggested that a
ter's abortion history as soon as the sub-
different "Dr. Foster" had been quoted in
ject arose, his nomination wouldn't be in
the transcript.
hot water today. Most Americans accept
All of this is getting silly. For all we
the reality of legal abortion, even if they
know, Henry Foster might well make a
have doubts - as do we - about the no-
good surgeon general. But the Clinton
tion of a constitutional right to termi-
administration's political ineptitude has
nate a pregnancy.
allowed this possibility to be obscured.
But people don't enjoy being taken for
Whether or not the debate can return to
fools. Thus, pro-life lobbyists have cap-
relevant issues after this spate of inaccu-
tured the high ground in this dispute by
racies remains unresolved.
NEW-YORK POST; THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1995
DR. ELDERS' SUCCESSOR
W
HEN fax machines
around the nation's
capital Monday after-
'78 document may trip up
noon started spitting out a
sheet of paper whose contents
endangered President Clin-
surgeon general nominee
ton's new nominee for sur-
geon general, it became clear
INSIDE REPORT
ton is not forged. What's
how little this White House
more, Foster may have diffi-
has learned about operating
culty/ proving he is misrepre-
effectively in Washington
sented.
The word passed by presi-
ROBERT
Under discussion that long
dential aides was that the al-
NOVAK
ago day in Seattle was an ex-
leged fragment of a 16-year-
perimental technique called
old transcript, which had Dr.
fetoscopy by which sickle cell
Henry Foster Jr. suggesting
his selection that he had per-
anemia, a genetic disease of-
he had performed nearly 700
formed a few abortions. After
flicting mainly African-Ame-
abortions, was either a for-
gery or a mistake. That
some backing and filling
ricans, could be diagnosed in
once his nomination was an-
the fetus.
claim, said administration of-
nounced, he last week -set
The specific procedure,
DR. HENRY FOSTER
ficials, came from the nomi-
the number at "fewer than a
which apparently proved a
nee himself.
How many abortions?
A forgery surely if is not.
dozen" - which were "pri-
failure, was described at the
meeting by HEW official Bar-
come to haunt him: "I have
The odds are heavily against
marily" for rape, incest or
saving the life of the mother.
bara Mishkin as using the fe-
done a lot of ammiocentesis
an error in transcription. In-
There the matter might
toscope "on mothers who
and therapeutic abortions,
stead, Foster is in deep trou-
have elected to have abor-
well have stood had it not
probably near 700." These are
ble. After over two years in
office, the Clinton team nei-
been for a woman in Pitts-
tions for reasons totally unre-
two different procedures, and
lated to the research. After
it seems clear that the 700
ther fully explored its nomi-
burgh named Randy Engel,
the fetus' blood stream had
refers to the abortions.
nee's record nor pointed out
who works for the Michael
been analyzed, the abortion
The early administration
to him the traps on the road
Fund - an organization en-
would take place.
denials can be written off.
his predecessor as surgeon
gaged in genetic research
Mishkin explained, accord-
The document is valid This
general, Dr. Joycelyn Elders,
from a pro-life standpoint.
ing the transcript, that this
is the same Dr. Foster the
failed to negotiate.
She remembered that this
was not therapeutic research
president nominated. It defies
Considering the president's
same Dr. Foster, then chair-
because it was not "designed
credulity to believe Foster did
precarious political condition,
man of the obstetrics. depart-
to provide therapy for the
not correct this transcript
it would have been thought
ment at Meharry, was a
fetus." At this point, Dr.
when it was circulated 16
he would pick a non-contro-
member of an ethics advisory
James Gaither, chairman of
years agn
versial public-bealth officer
board named by the secretary
the advisory board, turned to
So, Health and Human
to fill what had been a low-
of Health, Education and
Foster and said, "Hank,
Services officials are directing
profile, third-level job prior
Welfare (HEW) that met in
would you say something
reporters to other doctors who
to flamboyant Dr. C. Everett
Seattle Nov. 10, 1978.
about the science of this?
were present in Seattle,
Koop's arrival in 1981. But
At this writing, Clinton ad-
Foster replied that he would
claiming they will assert that
Clinton has turned the post
ministration officials are still
"say something about the sci-
Foster could not have said
into an affirmative-action
trying to find a transcript of
ence and the sociology."
what is transcribed. It is no
slot, insisting that another
that hearing. Why did Engel
The remarks be made
trifling point. It would be im-
African-American be se-
have no little trouble finding
sound, to the layman at least,
politic for the new surgeon
lected.
it? "I walked downstairs in
more medical than sociologi-
general to have performed
Foster, acting director of
my home and got it," she told
cal for example, discussing
that many abortions. It will
Meharry Medical College in
me. The fuller transcript
the possibility of infection
be suicide for him and poison-
Nashville, Tenn, disclosed in
makes obvious that the single
But in passing, be uttered
ous for the president if be is
the vetting process prior to
page faxed around Washing-
the words that have now
now lying about his past.
24
THE GREEN SHEET
Editorials & Op-Ed
Wash. Post; 2-9-95
The Surgeon General Melee
T
HAVE GONE from counting beans to
recently-owing to the controversies over ciga-
counting abortions is not progress. The
rettes, AIDS and other matters, and to the
first thing to be said about the bollixed
assertive personalities of C. Everett Koop and, in
nomination of Dr. Henry Foster Jr. to fill the
a different way, Joycelyn Elders-that the holder
venerable position of surgeon general (created in
of this job has become a highly visible public
1871, greatly reduced in importance when
figure. The job, as former HEW secretary Joseph
tücked into the lower reaches of the HEW flow
A. Califano Jr. pointed out on the opposite page
chart in 1966) is that having haplessly generated
yesterday, "carries with it little staff, no pro-
an abortion argument, the administration should
grammatic budgets and no clout in the federal
not cave on it. Of course, this argument didn't
bureaucracy." Mostly, it is advisory; it has come
have to be generated-but it was. Dr. Foster's
to be seen as a preaching position concerning
White House patrons should never have started
large health questions. Surgeons general do not
listing numbers of possible abortions performed
become government spokespersons for all mat-
by him, giving the impression that there was
ters relating to health but generally only a
some numerical limit above which he would not
certain few that it is thought beneficial to high-
be suitable to hold the post and thus, by implica-
light and harp on. They can in this respect do
tion, suggesting that there was something wrong
some good.
with a physician in his line of specialty perform-
But, as Mr. Califano also observed in yester-
ing. them in the first place. But they did all of
day's article, it is by no means obvious that the
that. At a minimum they should now reject this
subject chosen for Dr. Foster's attention is espe-
eriterion as a pass-fail test for a prospective
cially suited to the office for which he has been
government job-holder, whether they or Dr.
nominated. To say that is not to deny the
Foster go through with the nomination or not.
enormous importance of the problems created by
Dr. Foster is an estimable man: dean and
teenage pregnancy or the absolute desirability of
acting president of Meharry Medical College in
a national effort to reduce it or to question Dr.
Nashville, founder of the respected "I Have a
Foster's commitment to the objective. It is, on
Future" program, which operated out of two local
the contrary, simply to observe, as Mr. Califano
housing projects and was aimed at delaying
did, that the huge stress on teen pregnancy as a
sexual activity among teenagers and encouraging
"medical" issue, a matter to be dealt with in the
responsibility and restraint. Republican Sen. Bill
realm of contraceptives, abortion counseling and
Frist of Tennessee was among his endorsers
health, tends wrongly to depict both the sources
when the nomination was announced. His pro-
of the problem and the efforts that will have to be
gram did not offer abortion counseling for teens,
undertaken to resolve it. The very existence of
but did offer health services and contraceptives.
the tumultuous dispute over Dr. Foster's record
You could argue, if you were given over to
on performing abortions and the utterly different
board-game, positioning politics, that he was,
ways that record is perceived by different groups
because of all this, the ideal candidate, above all
of engaged Americans make plain how difficult it
the ideal successor to his needlessly offensive
is to deal with the subject of teen pregnancy as a
predecessor, not too much this or too much that,
"public health issue." We don't know whether, as
perceived as being a figure of the moderate
some have been suggesting for years, the sur-
middle etc. And this evidently is the way his
geon general's anachronistic job should be abol-
White House backers saw it. But it is an abstract,
ished; but we do think Mr. Califano is right in
unavailing way of looking at such things. It is
saying that it is not the right headquarters for a
what got them in trouble. And it is what we mean
campaign against teen pregnancy. Of course he
when we say that the nomination was in some
can speak out on teen pregnancy. But it should
respects "too cute," the kind of cute that often
not be the focus of the job, and his office should
ends up harming the innocent nominee and failing
not be the center of the government's effort. If
spectacularly to deliver its supposed political
Dr. Foster weathers the storm into which he has
blessings.
been cast and becomes the surgeon general, he
There is one more point. It is only relatively
should greatly broaden his areas of concern.
Robert D. Novak
Wash. Post; 2-9-95
Scrutinizing the Numbers
When fax machines around the nation's
slot, insisting that another African American
and welfare (HEW) that met in Seattle on Nov.
science of this?" Foster replied that he would
capital Monday afternoon started spitting out a
be selected.
10, 1978.
"say something about the science and the sociol-
sheet of paper whose contents endangered
Foster, acting director of Meharry Medical
At this writing, Clinton administration offi-
ogy."
President Clinton's new nominee for surgeon
College in Nashville, disclosed in the "vetting"
cials are still trying to find a transcript of that
The remarks he made sound, to the layman
general, it became clear how little this White
process prior to his selection that he had
hearing. Why did Engel have so little trouble
at least, more medical than sociological-for
House has learned about operating effectively
finding it? "I walked downstairs in my home
example, discussing the possibility of infection.
in Washington.
and got it," she told me. The fuller transcript
But in passing, he uttered the words that have
The word passed by presidential aides was
makes obvious that the single page faxed
now come to haunt him: "I have done a lot of
that the alleged fragment of a 16-year-old
A discrepancy in
around Washington is not forged. What's
amniocentesis and therapeutic abortions, prob-
transcript that had Dr. Henry Foster Jr. sug-
more, Foster may have difficulty proving he is
numbers threatens the
ably near 700." These are two different proce-
gesting he had performed nearly 700 abor-
misrepresented.
dures, and it seems clear that the 700 refers
tions was either a forgery or a mistake. That
Under discussion that long-ago day in Seat-
to the abortions.
claim, said administration officials, came from
nominee.
tle was an experimental technique called fe-
The early administration denials can be
the nominee himself.
toscopy by which sickle cell anemia, a genetic
written off. The document is valid. This is the
A forgery surely it is not. The odds are
performed a few abortions. After some back-
disease afflicting mainly African Americans,
same Dr. Foster the president nominated. It
heavily against an error in transcription. In-
ing and filling once his nomination was an-
could be diagnosed in the fetus. The specific
defies credulity to believe Foster did not
stead, Foster is in deep trouble. After over
nounced, he last week set the number at
procedure, which apparently proved a failure,
two years in office, the Clinton team neither
"fewer than a dozen"-which were "primarily"
was described at the meeting by HEW official
correct this transcript when it was circulated
Barbara Mishkin as using the fetoscope "on
16 years ago.
fully explored its nominee's record nor pointed
for rape, incest or saving the life of the
out to him the traps on the road his predeces-
mother.
mothers who have elected to have abortions
So, Health and Human Services officials are
sor as surgeon general, Dr. Joycelyn Elders,
There the matter might well have stood had
for reasons totally unrelated to the research."
directing reporters to other doctors who were
failed to negotiate.
it not been for a woman in Pittsburgh named
After the fetus's bloodstream had been ana-
present in Seattle, claiming they will assert
lyzed, the abortion would take place.
that Foster could not have said what is tran-
Considering the president's precarious po-
Randy Engel, who works for the Michael
litical condition, it would have been thought he
Fund-an organization engaged in genetic re-
Mishkin explained, according the transcript,
scribed. It is no trifling point. It would be
would pick a non-controversial public health
search from a pro-life standpoint. She remem-
that this was not therapeutic research because
impolitic for the new surgeon general to have
officer to fill what had been a low-profile,
bered that this same Dr. Foster, then chair-
it was not "designed to provide therapy for the
performed that many abortions. It will be
third-level job prior to the flamboyant Dr. C.
man of the obstetrics department at Meharry,
fetus." At this point, Dr. James Gaither, chair-
suicide for him and poisonous for the president
Everett Koop's arrival in 1981. But Clinton
was a member of an ethics advisory board
man of the advisory board, turned to Foster and
if he is now lying about his past.
has turned the post into an affirmative action
named by the secretary of health, education
said, "Hank, would you say something about the
©1995, Creators Syndicate Lnc.
ST.LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1995
A Litmus-Test Nomination
The Republican Party's anti-abortion wing has
the program were a sinister experiment.
turned the nomination of Dr. Henry W. Foster Jr. as
The abortion issue was one of the factors that
surgeon general into a litmus-test for Senate Repub-
made former Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders a
licans. The regret is that President Bill Clinton
lightning rod of criticism. The White House should
didn't anticipate the continued volatility of the abor-
have been more sensitive to the fact that its latest
tion issue and make plans to address it.
nominee, derided by some as "Elders Lite," would
The White House doesn't help Dr. Foster by
face some of the same political heat.
engaging in a numbers game, debating how many.
President Clinton now finds himself in the silly
abortions Dr. Foster has performed or how many
position of defending whether Dr. Foster performed
babies he has delivered. Such comments add heat
a handful of abortions or several hundred. It's the
but no light to the real issue: Dr. Foster is under
kind of diversionary debate that the right relishes.
attack because he performed abortions, period.
The president must face the real issue squarely. If
Abortion opponents have also gotten mileage out
he's willing to give only lukewarm support to Dr.
of a study Dr. Foster headed, something about
Foster, then he should withdraw the nomination. If
which the Clinton administration might have been
the president genuinely supports Dr. Foster, as he
forthcoming. They say Dr. Foster once led research
says, then he must defend the nominee's integrity
involving 60 women in a test of do-it-yourself abor-
unambiguously. For all the Republican storm and
tion drugs. The study was done while Dr. Foster
fury, Dr. Foster has done nothing illegal or unethi-
was chair of the obstetrics and gynecology depart-
cal. He is being lambasted for performing a medical
ment at Meharry Medical College.
procedure that's protected by the landmark Su-
Again, the Clinton administration, the same one
preme Court ruling, Roe US. Wade.
that allowed clinical trials of RU-486 to begin, went
Admitting that the administration didn't do its
into evasive action. It tried to downplay Dr. Foster's
homework, Mr. Clinton is now eager to set the
role, claiming he "just oversaw the program," as if
record straight. Let's hope he is not too late.
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD Thursday, February 9, 1995
Honesty the Question in Nomination
Mishandling by the White House of Dr. Henry
too, by saying that the fewer than a dozen were
Foster's nomination as U.S. surgeon general
performed while Dr. Foster was acting as a
reflects poorly on the Clinton administration.
private physician and did not count what might
The question in the Foster matter is not
have happened while he was acting as a hospital
whether he performed abortions. It's not even
medical staff member.
how many abortions he performed. The question,
Then the story changed again. Opponents of
instead, is honesty. The question is whether the
Dr. Foster found a 17-year-old transcript in
White House misled the Senate.
which Dr. Foster was quoted as saying: "I have
Dr. Foster has a commendable record of social
done a lot of amniocentesis and therapeutic
concern. He has supported Planned Parenthood,
abortions, probably near 700." If he said that in
as have many other qualified OB-GYNs. Ap-
1978, only five years after abortions became legal,
parently he was only superficially screened.
he was, indeed, an active abortionist in those
Clinton's people either didn't find out about
years. However, Dr. Foster denies that he made
abortions he performed or they considered him
so ideologically perfect that abortions couldn't
such a statement or that he performed that many
abortions.
possibly be a problem.
A series of blunders followed. The White
By midweek another problem had arisen. His
House introduced Dr. Foster as a scholar, an
opponents were focusing on a study in which he
administrator and a caring and effective propo-
took part in the early 1980s. The study looked at
nent of sexual abstinence among teen-agers.
the use of drugs for self-administered abortions.
Privately, Donna Shalala, secretary of health
Dr. Foster should not be disqualified for
and human services, told Sen. Nancy Kassebaum
performing legal abortions. But his nomination
that Dr. Foster had performed only one abortion
has lost much of its appeal nonetheless. The issue
in his career as an obstetrician-gynecologist
is the inability of the White House to get its story
Senator Kassebaum heads the committee that
straight. If the people who screened Dr. Foster
will hold hearings on the nomination.
didn't know or didn't care enough to find out his
record on abortion, what else did they overlook?
Then the story changed. The White House said
What else are they concealing?
Dr. Foster had performed more than one abor-
The slipshod, anything-goes manner in which
tion, fewer than a dozen.
the nomination has been handled has been an
NBC News reported Tuesday that the White
embarrassing reminder that this administration
House, challenged, tried to explain that away,
still hasn't mastered the basic tools of governing.
15/95
11:19
816 426 3535
HHS - ORD - KCMO
PA DC
001
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Wednesday, February 8, 1995
MONA CHAREN
CREATORS SYNDICATE
'A Small Gain for Pro-Life Side'
WASHINGTON
evasion and obfuscation, the stronger
tainly oppose such legislation. But on
the pro-life movement becomes. That
what grounds? Invoking the right of
The pro-life move-
the White House was embarrassed and
privacy would ring pretty hollow when
ment must measure
defensive is a sign of movement.
the subject is a 7-, 8. or 9-month-old
its victories in nu-
Pro-choicers would love to keep the
fetus - a baby in every way. If the
ances. Roe vs. Wade
focus of debate on the stray acts of
continuation of the pregnancy presents
violence at abortion clinics. That's un-
will not be over-
a threat to the mother's life, there is
turned any time
derstandable. Only when they are being
every possibility that in the third in-
soon. But there is
shot at can pro-abortion forces hold the
mester, the child can be born alive.
movement in the cul-
moral high ground.
Would pro-choicers argue that no
While it is undeniably important for
ture.
one can force a woman to carry a child
pro-lifers to distance themselves from
The flap over the
she does not want? That argument, too,
the violent fringe - indeed, to con-
appointment of Dr. Henry Foster Jr. is
loses much of its power when the
demn it unambiguously - it is just as
an example of the progress made. When
pregnancy is already nearly complete.
crucial to keep the focus of the abortion
it was revealed that Dr. Foster had
If the mother has managed this long,
debate on the act itself.
performed abortions, some commenta-
why not ask her to hang in there for a
Pro-choice groups call themselves
couple of months longer? Is that such a
tors shrugged, saying, "What else can
"pro-choice" because they cannot bring
burden, compared with the child's right
you expect? This is an administration
themselves to admit that they are pro-
to life?
wedded to the idea that abortion is a
abortion. They have had terrific suc-
solemn right. Why should we be sur-
cess, thanks to a sympathetic press, in
Nor can pro-choice types maintain
prised that an appointee shares that
keeping the focus of discussion on the
that a woman cannot be unwillingly
saddled with a child to raise. If the
view?"
exceedingly rare instances of rape and
But that isn't the point. The cheering
incest rather than on the roughly 1.5
mother does not want the baby after
news is that having performed abor-
million abortions for convenience each
birth, the child can be placed for
tions is now considered to be a stain on
year that this society tolerates.
adoption immediately.
a physician's record. Even the White
In the February issue of First Things,
The beauty of Arkes' idea is that it
Amherst College Professor Hadley
would force the debate in the direction
House was at pains to point out that Dr.
Arkes is quoted as inaking the follow-
it needs to go - toward the child at risk
Foster had delivered over 10,000 babies
ing suggestion: Wherever possible, leg-
and away from bizarre and wrenching
- and stressed (beyond the point of
credibility in my judgment) that the few
islatures should introduce laws
situations like rape and incest. A late-
term fetus is very recognizably a baby.
abortions Dr. Foster did perform were
outlawing third-trimester abortions.
all in cases of rape, incest or risk to the
(Roe vs. Wade permits states to regu-
It is clear even to the most ardent
mother.
late abortions in the third trimester.)
abortionist that this is more than
The White House also released an
Arkes' point is not just to succeed -
clump of protoplasm."
though, if enacted, such a law would
Dr. Foster will probably be con-
Orwellian statement saying that Dr.
Foster had "performed a full range of
bring to an end the 17,000 third-trimes-
firmed. But there is no question that he
reproductive services." What, exactly,
ter abortions that are performed each
would have emerged on the national
is "reproductive" about abortion?
year in the United States. But Arkes
scene with greater stature if probes of
thinks the debate over such a law would
his past had revealed that he had
The more the pro-choice forces are
have a wonderfully clarifying effect.
declined to perform abortions. That is
required to retreat into euphemism,
Pro-choice groups would almost cer-
progress indeed.
Foster flap
The Patriot-News, Marrisburg, PL, Thursday, February s, 1995-
Pro-life gaining, judging from controversy
HE PRO-LIFE MOVEMENT must measure
T
on the roughly 1.5 million abortions for conve-
its victories in nuances. Roe V. Wade will
nience each year that this society tolerates.
not be overturned any time soon. But
there is movement in the cul-
In the February issue of First Things, Amherst
ture.
College Professor Hadley Arkes is quoted as
making the following suggestion: Wherever possi-
The flap over the appoint-
ble. legislatures should introduce laws outlawing
ment of Dr. Henry Foster Jr. is
third-trimester abortions. (Roe v. Wade permits
an example of the progress
states to regulate abortions in the third trimes-
made. When it was revealed
ter.) Arkes' point is not just to succeed - though,
that Foster had performed
if enacted, such a law would bring to an end the
abortions, some commentators
17,000 third-trimester abortions that are per-
shrugged, saying, "What else
formed each year in the United States. But Arkes
can you expect? This is an ad-
thinks the debate over such a law would have a
ministration wedded to the
wonderfully clarifying effect.
idea that abortion is h solemn
right. Why should we be sur-
MONA
Pro-choice groups would almost certainly op-
prised that an appointee shares
CHAREN
pose such legislation. But on what grounds? In-
that view?"
voking the right of privacy would ring pretty hol-
But that isn't the point. The
low when the subject is a 7-, 8- or 9-month-old
cheering news is that having performed abortions
fetus - a baby in every way. If the continuation
is now considered to be a stain on a physician's
of the pregnancy presents a threat to the moth-
record. Even the White House was at pains to
er's life, there is every possibility that in the third
point out that Dr. Foster had delivered over
trimester, the child can be born alive.
10,000 babies - and stressed (beyond the point
of credibility in my judgment) that the few abor-
Would pro-choicers argue that no one can
tions Foster did perform were all in cases of
force a woman to carry a child she does not
rape, incest or risk to the mother.
want? That argument, too, loses much of its pow-
er when the pregnancy is already nearly com-
The White House also released an Orwellian
plete. If the mother has managed this long, why
statement saying that Dr. Foster had "performed
not ask her to hang in there for a couple more
a full range of reproductive services." What, ex-
months? Is that such a burden, compared with
actly, is "reproductive" about abortion?
the child's right to life?
The more the pro-choice forces are required
Nor can pro-choice types maintain that a
to retreat into euphemism, evasion and obfusca-
woman cannot be unwillingly saddled with a
tion, the stronger the pro-life movement becomes.
child to raise. If the mother does not want the
That the White House was embarrassed and de-
baby after birth, the child can be placed for adop-
fensive is a sign of movement.
tion immediately.
Pro-choicers would love to keep the focus of
debate on the stray acts of violence at abortion
The beauty of Arkes' idea is that it would
clinics. That's understandable. Only when they
force the debate in the direction it needs to go
are being shot at can pro-abortion forces hold the
toward the child at risk and away from bizarre
moral high ground.
and wrenching situations like rape and incest. A
late-term fetus is very recognizably a baby. It is
While it is undeniably important for pro-lifers
clear even to the most ardent abortionist that this
to distance themselves from the violent fringe -
is more than "a clump of protoplasm."
indeed, to condemn it unambiguously - it is just
as crucial to keep the focus of the abortion de-
Dr. Foster will probably be confirmed. But
bate on the act itself.
there is no question that he would have emerged
on the national scene with greater stature if
Pro-choice groups call themselves "pro-
probes of his past had revealed that he had de-
choice" because they cannot bring themselves to
clined to perform abortions. That is progress in-
admit that they are pro-abortion. They have had
deed.
terrific success, thanks to a sympathetic press, in
keeping the focus of discussion on the exceeding-
Mona Charen's syndicated column appears
ly rare instances of rape and incest rather than
Thursdays in The Patriot.
Boston Herald; 2-8-95
Public health vs. politics
President Bill Clinton has
cation and Welfare ethics
an astounding capacity for
advisory panel meeting in
not learning from his mis-
1978, where someone identi-
takes. After the debacle of
fied as Dr. Foster stated: "I
Joycelyn Elders' tenure as
have done a lot of amniocente-
surgeon general, you'd think
sis and therapeutic abortions,
the president would be just
probably near 700." How
the least bit cautions in filling
many of each procedure is un-
that high-profile post. Based
clear.
on what we know of Dr. Henry
A spokesman for Foster
Foster, apparently the na-
denies that he made the state-
tion's chief executive just
ment, while acknowledging
doesn't get it.
that he was a member of the
Elders spent a year in office
advisory board.
alienating Middle America
That aside, what may ulti-
with her comments on abor-
mately sink Foster's nomina-
tion, condom distribution and
tion is his membership on the
gay rights.
Planned Parenthood Federa-
After his party lost Con-
tion of America board of di-
gress - and based on Elder's
rectors for several years in
last shoot-from-the-lips com-
the mid-70s and active partic-
ment that schools should
ipation in its campaign
teach masturbation - the
against the Webster decision.
president decided to jettison
This 1989 Supreme Court rul-
his surgeon general.
ing allows states to enact par-
Instead of seeking a quali-
ental consent laws and wait-
fied, non-controversial re-
ing periods for abortions.
placement, Clinton tapped
Planned Parenthood is in
Foster, a Nashville obstetri-
the vanguard of the pro-
cian/gynecologist who's be-
choice movement and a lead-
ing described as Elders Lite.
ing advocate of In-school
So far, the controversy over
birth control clinics and expli-
Foster has centered on the
cit sex education.
number of abortions he's per-
What this nation really
formed. The doctor says he
doesn't need is another cau-
done fewer than a dozen in
sist who will use the surgeon
over 30 years of practice.
general's office to promote his
The National Right to Life
position on divisive questions.
Committee has released a
Public health should trans-
page from a transcript of a
cend politics. Pity Clinton
Department of Health, Edu-
can't see this
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Wednesday, February 8, 1995
CAL THOMAS
LOS ANGELES TIMES SYNDICATE
'Another Dr. Elders, Same Ideas'
WASHINGTON
the doctoral program of the School of
school-age youths.
Social Ecology at the University of
For more than 30 years, Planned
The nomination of
California, Irvine, has studied tabula-
Parenthood and its disciples such as Dr.
Henry W. Foster Jr.
tions from the California Center for
Elders and Dr. Foster have targeted
to replace Joycelyn
Health Statistics covering 46,500 births
elementary school children with their
Elders as surgeon
among school-age (ages 18 and young-
brand of sex education. Dr. Elders
general is another
er) adolescents in the state in 1993. In
wanted to teach elementary kids how to
sign that the Clinton
85 percent of these births the fathers'
masturbate and use condoms. But in
administration has
ages are identified. The statistics show
California in 1993, elementary school-
completely failed to
two very different types of "teen-age"
boys fathered no children. Senior high
understand the mes-
motherhood.
boys, though, were responsible for 41
sage of the last elec-
The first involves peer schoolboy
percent of the births, and adult men
tion. It continues to impose on this
partners, ages 18 and younger, who
fathered more than 50 percent of babies
country people and policies rooted in a
average about one year older than their
born to girls between ages 11 and 15.
philosophy that has proved to be an
girlfriends. These are the targets of the
Numerous studies, including some
Elders-Foster-Planned Parenthood
utter failure.
by Planned Parenthood's research arm,
Dr. Foster was less than forthcoming
condom squads and the focus of the
the Alan Guttmacher Institute, show
about his views and how many abor-
chastity vs. condoms war. Boys in this
that most "sexually active" girls under
tions he has performed. Even the pro-
category accounted for about 13,400
15 are victims of rape by substantially
births among schoolgirls in California
older men. Males writes it is a fact that
choice Kansas Republican Sen. Nancy
in 1993, only 29 percent of the total.
"adolescents reflect adult values and
Kassebaum said she was disturbed by
In 33,200 births among California
behavior." We are deceiving ourselves
the misleading information given to her
girls ages 11-18 (71 percent of the total),
when we think we can make adolescents
by the White House concerning Dr.
the father was a post-high-school adult
behave differently from the irresponsi-
Foster.
man averaging over 22 years of age -
ble adults who surround them and who
But there is more to this than misin-
five years older than the mother, on
pump sex into everything from movies
formation and disinformation. Dr.
average. These adult fathers, who are
and television to music and advertising.
Foster has close ties to Planned Parent-
responsible for nearly three-fourths of
We would be far better off working
hood, which has a view of sex and
the 40,700 births among senior high
to reduce the 71 percent figure (post-
education that has exacerbated, not
girls, average nearly 23 years old. The
high-school adult men fathering chil-
solved, one of the major problems our
adult men who father half the 5,900
dren with teen-age girls) than focusing
country faces. Planned Parenthood is
births among junior high girls (ages
on the 29 percent figure (peer school-
not interested in changing sexual be-
11-15) average 22.1 years of age, six and
boy partners).
havior but rather in avoiding the un-
a half years older than their mothers. In
Dr. Foster isn't really "Elders Lite";
wanted physical consequences of
6,000 births among California school-
he is Elders reincarnated. Her ideas
premature sex. Yet one has to wonder
girls in 1993, the fathers were over age
have been proved not to work. His are
why it has failed so miserably in
25. Also surprising was that one-fifth of
just more of the same. We deserve a
achieving that objective. California
the births fathered by schoolboys
surgeon general who will focus on the
may be the best state to judge the results
(about 3,000) were by adult, post-
real health needs of the country, not
of the philosophy held by Planned
school women.
condone those whose behavior is detri-
Parenthood and its devotees, who in-
As Males notes, this isn't about
mental to our society's well being.
clude the nominee for surgeon general.
"children having children" or "teen
When is this administration going to
Mike Males, a graduate student in
motherhood." It is adult sex with
get it?
Dallas Morning News; 2-8-95
Should Foster become surgeon general?
Yes, only hypocrites
No, he is a clone
would reject this choice
of Joycelyn Elders
maranders is that, seven years ago, Dr.
The nomination
VL condoms war. Boys in this category
It's . shame that
the nomination of
of Henry W. Foster
accounted for about 13,400 births among
Foster started rounding up kids in
Nashville's public housing projects and
Jr. to replace Joyce
schoolgiris in California in 1993, only 29
Dr. Henry Poster to
be U.S. surgeon gen-
working with them to seoid the kinds of
lyn Elders as sur-
percent of the total
geon general Is
In 33,200 births among California girls
eral is in jeopardy
tempters that have sastched the future
because be has per
away from too many poor kids drug
another algn that
ages I1-18 (71 percent of the total), the
abuse, dropping out of school, violent
the Clinton admin-
father was a post-high-school adult man
formed "fewer than
gang activity and premarital sex.
Istration has com-
averaging over 22 years of age - five
a dozen" abortions
CAL
DEBORAH
in 30 years as a
Through his "I Have 2 Future" pro-
plately failed to
years older than the mother, on avarage.
THOMAS
gram, Dr. Foster and others
understand the
These adult fathers who are responsible
MATHIS
physician.
Fealing the heat
massage of the last
for nearly three-fourths of the 40,700
presched honesty, responsibility,
of anti-abortion absolutists and the poli-
election. It continues to imposs on this
births among senior high girls average
self-reliance, sobriety and serual
nearly 23 years old. The adult men who
ticians they control, Mr. Foster empha-
abstinence. That's right, abati-
country people and policies rooted in a
sized that "None (al the procedures)
philosophy that has proved to be an utter
father half the 5,900 births among junior
nance a is "just say no." "no
ring no fling" "too soon to
failure.
high girls (ages 11-15) average 22.1 years
ware in outpatient settings; all were in
Mr. Foster was less than forthcoming
of age, six and a half years older than
hospitals and were primarily to save the
swoon" and all that
lives of the women or because the
About 159 youth go
about his views and how many abortions
their mothers. Also surpridag was that
women bad been the victims of rape or
through the program each
he has performed. Even the prochotes
one-fifth of the births (sthered by school-
Incest."
Kanaas Republican Sea. Nancy Kasse-
boys (aboat 3,009) were by adult, post-
week, making field trips,
been said abe was disturbed by the nit
school women
Abortions that meet legal and medical
taking dance, art and writ-
standards should not have to be so par-
Ing lessons, being tutored
leading information given to her by the
As Mr. Males notes, this isn't about
ticularly qualified but this issue often
and getting counseling.
White House concerning Mr. Foster.
"children having children or Teso
"I Have a Fatore" is
But there is more to this than misin.
motherhood It is adult sex with school-
forces upstanding men and women to
about living and coping
formation and disinformation. Mr. For
age youths.
explain themselves to extremes line,
tor has close ties to Planned Parenthood,
For more than 30 years, Planned
paragraph, page and chapter for the
and succeeding. It has been
which has a view of SUX and education
Parenthood and its disciples such as Mrs.
sake of their good names and
deemed a success, pro-
livelihoods.
that has exacerbated, net solved, one of
Eldars and Mr. Foster have targeted etc-
claimed by the Bush admin.
Often, they are la the knotty position
istration a "point of light"
the major problems our country faces.
mentary school children with their
Planned Paranthood is not interested in
brand of sex education. But in California
of having to fend off suspicions that they
Bo, what's the complaint?
are infidels and avildoers simply since
It's that, after champion-
changing sexual behavior but rather in
in 1993, elementary schoolboys fathered
avuiding the unwanted physical conse-
no children Senior high boys, though,
they believe reality has supremacy over
ing abstinence and
idealism and, as scientists, are behalden
impressing upon the chil-
quences of premature sex. Yet one has to
were responsible for 41 percent of the
to the lacks as they Mad them not 38 the
dren the risks and conse-
wonder why It has failed so miserably in
births, and adult men fathered more
public wishes they would be
achieving that objective. California may
than 50 percent of bables tarn to girls
quences of premature
ta the best state to judge the results of
between ages 11 and IS.
Dr. Poster's reputation and record do
sexual activity. Dr. For
not warrant defensivences, but that will
rer and his cohorts
the philosophy held by Planned Parent
We would be far better off working to
recognize that, after all la said
bood and its devotees.
reduce thy 71 percent figure (post-
not stop the critica from vilifying him
for his association with Planned Parent-
and done, a person's sexual
Mike Males, 1 graduate student in the
high-school adult mun fathering chil-
bood and his advocacy of BOX education
behavior is under his or her con-
doctoral program of the School of Social
dren with been-age girls) than focusing
for youngsters.
Ecology at the University of California,
on the 29 percent figure (peer schoolboy
trol, not anyone else's.
As a physician, he understands that
Beanor MM
Irvina, has studied tabulations from the
partners).
The nomination is still an infant, but
California Center for Health Statistics
Mr. Foster isn't really "Riders Lite"; be
the image of Dr. Foster as a meral villain
the body, the handiwork of nature itself,
abortionist, the "I Have a Future" pro-
is already beginning to emerge. Before
is barking orders that often conflict with
gram provided condoms to teen clients.
covering 46,500 births among adoles-
is Mrs. Elders reincarnated Her ideas
long. someone in that frantic hive of
what a child is being told by a parent, a
Reluctantly, perhaps, but necessarily.
cents in the state in 1993. In 85 percent of
have been proved not to work. His are
pletists will probably declare him "the
teacher, # minister or the world at large.
And, for this, there is opposition to Dr.
these births the fathers' ages are identi-
just more of the name We deserve a sur-
condom king." heir to the throne of the
He knows that despite the best
Foster's nomination.
fied. The statistics show two very differ-
grou general who will focus on the real
excoriated "condom queen" - the
training. strong moral constitutions and
Who will satisfy the surrealists?
ent types of "teen-age" metherhood.
health needs of the country. not condone
recently departed Surgeon General
Intact consciences - a hormonally
1 suppose someone who has not only
The first Involves peer schoolboy
those whose behavior is detrimental to
Joycelyn Elders, who didn't deserve the
charged teen-ager may still give in to his
taken the Hippocratic Oath, but the Hypo-
partners, ages 18 and younger, who aver-
our society's wall-baing. When is this
label either.
or her natural sexual urgea
critic one as well.
age about one year older than their girl.
administration going to get it?
And why? What has Dr. Foster done to
So, to prevent tragedies, to save
friends These are the targets of the
earn such derision?
another disconsolate child from running
Deborah Mathis' column is distributed
Elders-Foster-Planned Parenthood con-
Cal Thomas' column is distributed by
What has freaked out the moral
away or dropping out or turning to on
by Tribune Media Services.
dom squads and the focus of the chastity
the Los Angeles Times Syndicate.
Balt. Sun; 2-8-95
Clinton's 'weasel' words
don't exactly help Foster
2A
WASHINGTON - Dr. Henry Fos-
ter's nomination as U.S. surgeon
general is in trouble at the White
House because he did something le-
gal that Bill Clinton supports.
Which can be very dangerous
these days.
It used to be that it took an illegal
act to knock you off as a Clinton
nominee.
Kimba Wood and Zoe Baird got
ROGER
shot down for attorney general be-
cause they didn't pay their taxes or
SIMON
hired illegal aliens.
And Lani Guinier lost out as as-
sistant attorney general for civil
case," he said. "I will not do that."
rights when Clinton discovered he
And now we learn that Clinton
disagreed with her views. Which was
has "devolved" even further.
the same problem the last surgeon
He may dump his nominee for
general. Joycelyn Elders, ran into.
surgeon general if it turns out the
But Foster is different. An obste-
nominee performed too many (i.e., a
trician/gynecologist, he has per-
dozen or more) legal abortions.
formed abortions. Legal abortions.
Who is Henry Foster? Who is this
And Bill Clinton has said he sup-
"abortionist"?
ports the right of a woman to choose
He is a 61-year-old former dean
an abortion.
and acting president of a black medi-
So what's the problem? There are
cal school who founded the "I Have a
about 1.5 million legal abortions per-
Future Program." which is "aimed at
formed each year in America and
delaying sexual activity and raising
somebody has got to be doing them.
self-respect among teen-agers."
But the White House is now say-
The program was even was one of
ing that Clinton thought Foster had
George Bush's "Points of Light."
performed only a single abortion in
Foster supports condom distribu-
his career. Foster says he has per-
tion (and condoms prevent pregnan-
formed fewer than a dozen.
cies that can lead to abortions, don't
Who cares? Well. according to
they?). but says: "In my work with
some strange new math. "fewer than
teen-agers, abstinence has always
a dozen" is the limit of what Bill Clin-
been stressed as my first priority."
ton will stomach. More than that
If a woman chooses to have an
and Foster is in trouble with him.
abortion. he says, "My wish is that it
For the moment, Clinton is still
be safe. legal and rare."
backing Foster. But not very strong-
And Clinton should have stepped
ly. Try counting how many "weasel"
forward immediately and said:
words are hidden in Bill Clinton's
"Abortion is legal in this country. I
ringing support for his nominee.
have always supported a woman's
Heck. I'll make it easy for you. I'll put
right to choose a legal abortion. And
them in italics.
therefore I give my unqualified sup-
"If he has done what he has said
port to Dr. Foster with no ifs. ands or
he has done. I don't think that would
buts."
disqualify him." Clinton said of Fos-
Instead, we get Clinton's luke-
ter on Monday. "We're going to have
warm support on one hand and
hearings. It's going to go forward. If
blasts of hot air from the right on the
the facts are no different than I un-
other.
derstand them to be, I don't under-
"It doesn't matter if he killed 12
stand why he'd be in trouble."
babies or 1,200 - Foster was still a
And. gee. I just don't understand
paid killer who should not even be
why some people think that you
considered for the post as chief med-
can't trust Bill Clinton.
ic," said Don Treshman of Rescue
Once upon a time, way back in
America.
the spring of 1992 before he was
But Treshman is wrong. Foster is
elected. Clinton said he was going to
not a killer. paid or otherwise.
name only those people to the Su-
The people who shoot doctors at
preme Court who supported a wom-
abortion clinics are killers.
an's right to choose. He said this
Besides. in reading interviews
would be a litmus test.
with Foster, one gets the clear im-
Then, after he got elected. he
pression that he is proudest of hav-
changed his mind.
ing performed a much different kind
At his first formal press confer-
of medical procedure.
ence. President Clinton was asked if
"I have personally delivered more
the litmus test was still on.
than 10,000 babies in nearly 30
"I will not ask any potential Su-
years of practice." Foster said.
preme Court nominees how he or
And I don't see how you can get
she would vote in any particular
more pro-life than that.
Wash. Times; 2-8-95
Reincarnation
CAL THOMAS
MONA CHAREN
he nomination of Henry
T
W. Foster Jr. to replace
Joycelyn Elders as sur-
and obfuscation?
geon general is another
sign that the Clinton
administration has
completely failed to understand the
adolescents in
nia girls ages 11-18 (71 percent of
ages 11 and 15.
message of the last election. It con-
the state in
the total), the father was a post-
Numerous studies, including
tinues to impose on this country
1993. In 85 per-
high-school adult man averaging
some by Planned Parenthood's
people and policies rooted in a phi-
cent of these
over 22 years of age - five years
research arm, the Alan Guttmach-
losophy that has proved to be an
births the
older than the mother, on average.
er Institute, show that most "sexu-
utter failure.
fathers' ages
These adult fathers who are respon-
ally active" girls under 15 are vic-
Dr. Foster was less than forth-
are identified.
sible for nearly three-fourths of the
tims of rape by substantially older
The statistics
40,700 births among senior high
men. Mr. Males writes it is a fact
coming about his views and how
many abortions he has performed.
show two very
girls average nearly 23 years old.
that "adolescents reflect adult val-
Even the pro-choice Kansas
different types
The adult men who father half the
ues and behavior." We are deceiving
Republican Sen. Nancy Kasse-
of "teen-age"
5,900 births among junior high girls
ourselves when we think we can
baum said she was disturbed by the
motherhood.
(ages 11-15) average 22.1 years of
make adolescents behave differ-
misleading information given to
The first
age, 6½ years older than the moth-
ently than the irresponsible adults
her by the White House concerning
involves peer
ers. In 6,000 births among Califor-
who surround them and who pump
Dr. Foster.
schoolboy
nia schoolgirls in 1993, the fathers
sex into everything from movies
But there is more to this than
partners, ages
were over age 25. Also surprising
and television to music and adver-
misinformation and disinformation.
18
and
was that one-fifth of the births
tising.
Dr. Foster has close ties to Planned
younger, who
fathered by schoolboys (about
We would be far better off work-
Parenthood, which has a view of sex
average about
3,000) were by adult, post-school
ing to reduce the 71 percent figure
and education that has exacerbated,
one year older
women.
(post-high-school adult men father-
not solved, one of the major prob-
than their girl-
As Mr. Males notes, this isn't
ing children with teen-age girls)
lems our country faces. Planned
friends. These
about "children having children" or
than focusing on the 29 percent fig-
Parenthood is not interested in
are the targets
"teen motherhood." It is adult sex
ure (peer schoolboy partners).
changing sexual behavior but
of the Elders-
with school-age youths.
Dr. Foster isn't really "Elders
rather in avoiding the unwanted
Foster-Planned
For more than 30 years, Planned
Lite"; he is Dr. Elders reincarnat-
physical consequences of prema-
Parenthood
Parenthood and its disciples such
ed. Her ideas have been proved not
ture sex. Yet one has to wonder why
condom
as Drs. Elders and Foster have tar-
to work. His are just more of the
it has failed so miserably in achiev-
squads and the
geted elementary school children
same. We deserve a surgeon gen-
ing that objective. California may
focus of the
with their brand of sex education.
eral who will focus on the real
be the best state to judge the results
wright
chastity vs.
Dr. Elders wanted to teach ele-
health needs of the country, not
of the philosophy held by Planned
Henry W.
condoms war.
mentary kids how to masturbate
condone those whose behavior is
Parenthood and its devotees, who
Foster Jr.
Boys in this
and use condoms. But in California
detrimental to our society's well
include the nominee for surgeon
category
in 1993, elementary schoolboys
being. When is this administration
general.
accounted for
fathered no children. Senior high
going to get it?
Mike Males, a graduate student
studied tabulations from the Cali-
about 13,400 births among school-
boys, though, were responsible for
in the doctoral program of the
fornia Center for Health Statistics
girls in California in 1993, only 29
41 percent of the births and adult
School of Social Ecology at the Uni-
covering 46,500 births among
percent of the total.
men fathered more than 50 per-
Cal Thomas is a nationally syn-
versity of California, Irvine, has
school-age (ages 18 and younger)
In 33,200 births among Califor-
cent of babies born to girls between
dicated columnist.
tolerates.
Wash. Times; 2-8-95
In the February issue of First
Cultural
Things, Amherst College Profes-
sor Hadley Arkes is quoted as mak-
ing the following suggestion: Wher-
ever possible, legislatures should
windshift
introduce laws outlawing third-
trimester abortions. (Roe vs. Wade
permits states to regulate abortions
he pro-life movement must
in the third trimester.) Mr. Arkes'
T
measure its victories in
point is not just to succeed -
nuances. Roe vs. Wade will
though, if enacted, such a law
not be overturned any time
would bring to an end the 17,000
soon. But there is movement in the
third-trimester abortions that are
culture.
performed each year in the United
The flap over the appointment of
States. But Mr. Arkes thinks the
Dr. Henry Foster Jr. is an example
debate over such a law would have
of the progress made. When it was
a wonderfully clarifying effect.
revealed that Dr. Foster had per-
Pro-choice groups would almost
formed abortions, some commen-
certainly oppose such legislation.
tators shrugged, saying, "What else
But on what grounds? Invoking the
can you expect? This is an admin-
right of privacy would ring pretty
istration wedded to the idea that
hollow when the subject is a 7-, 8-
abortion is a solemn right. Why
or 9-month-old fetus - a baby in
should we be surprised that an
every way. Even if the continuation
appointee shares that view?"
of the pregnancy presents a threat
But that isn't the point. The
to the mother's life, there is every
cheering news is that having per-
possibility that in the third
formed abortions is now consid-
trimester the child can be born
ered to be a stain on a physician's
alive.
record. Even the White House was
Would pro-choicers argue that
at pains to point out that Dr. Foster
no one can force a woman to carry
had delivered more than 10,000
a child she does not want? That
babies - and stressed (beyond the
argument, too, loses much of its
point of credibility in my judgment)
power when the pregnancy is
that the few abortions Dr. Foster
already nearly complete. If the
did perform were all in cases of
mother has managed this long, why
rape, incest or risk to the mother.
not ask her to hang in there for a
The White House also released
couple more months? Is that such a
an Orwellian statement saying Dr.
burden, compared with the child's
Foster had "performed a full range
right to life?
of reproductive services." What,
Nor can pro-choice types main-
exactly, is "reproductive" about
tain that a woman cannot be unwill-
abortion?
ingly saddled with a child to raise.
The more the pro-choice forces
If the mother does not want the
are required to retreat into
baby after birth, the child can be
euphemism, evasion and obfusca-
placed for adoption immediately.
tion, the stronger the pro-life move-
The beauty of Mr. Arkes' idea is
ment becomes. That the White
that it would force the debate in the
House was embarrassed and defen-
direction it needs to go - toward
sive is a sign of movement.
the child at risk and away from
Pro-choicers would love to keep
bizarre and wrenching situations
the focus of debate on the stray
like rape and incest. A late-term
acts of violence at abortion clinics.
fetus is very recognizably a baby. It
That's understandable. Only when
is clear even to the most ardent
they are being shot at can pro-abor-
abortionist that this is more than "a
tion forces hold the moral high
clump of protoplasm."
ground.
Dr. Foster will probably be con-
While it is undeniably important
firmed. But there is no question
for pro-lifers to distance them-
that he would have emerged on the
selves from the violent fringe -
national scene with greater stature
indeed, to condemn it unambigu-
if probes of his past had revealed
ously - it is just as crucial to keep
that he had declined to perform
the focus of the abortion debate on
abortions. That is progress indeed.
the act itself.
Pro-choice groups call them-
selves "pro-choice" because they
Mona Charen is a nationally syn-
cannot bring themselves to admit
dicated columnist.
that they are pro-abortion. They
have had terrific success, thanks to
a sympathetic press, in keeping the
focus of discussion on the exceed-
ingly rare instances of rape and
incest rather than on the roughly
1.5 million abortions for conve-
nience each year that this society
Joseph A. Califano Jr.
Wash. Post; 2-8-95
The Medicalization of Teen Pregnancy
Dumping the issue on the surgeon general ignores the lessons
of the past 20 years and is doomed to fail.
In the late 1970s, 1 million teenagers-about one in nine 15-
to 19-year-old girls-got pregnant each year. I was the Carter
administration's point man on the issue, because inside the Belt-
way we treated it largely as a health matter, and I was secretary
of health.
In the mid-1990s, 1 million teenagers-about one in nine 15-
to 19-year-old girls-get pregnant each year, and President
Clinton has nominated a new surgeon general to attack the prob-
lem. I wish him luck, but I fear that Washington's continued med-
icalization of teen pregnancy and dumping the issue on the sur-
geon general-a health post that carries with it little staff, no
programmatic budgets and no clout in the federal bureaucracy-
ignores the lessons of the past 20 years and is doomed to fail.
Sexual intercourse among teens does create an enormous de-
mand for medical treatment. Many sexually active teens become
victims or transmitters of diseases like AIDS and gonorrhea. Of
the million teens who become pregnant each year, about
400,000 have abortions, which for some can create or aggravate
mental health problems. Of the more than 500,000 who don't
have abortions or miscarriages, thousands have pregnancies
complicated by maternal smoking, drinking or drug abuse and by
premature delivery and low-weight babies. The health system is
responsible for dealing with medical matters such as these. Bio-
medical science can also contribute discoveries, such as condoms
and other contraceptive devices, that reduce the incidence of
pregnancy and curb transmission of sexually transmitted di-
seases.
But medicalization over 20 years has not reduced teen preg-
nancy in America, nor has it stemmed the spread of sexually
transmitted diseases among teens. Life for American teenagers
is not just a bowl of condoms.
Today, more unmarried teens are having children. Almost 80
percent of unmarried women who have a child before finishing
BY JOHN OVERMYER
high school live in poverty. Teen pregnancy costs the govern-
ment more than $34 billion a year in welfare payments ($13 bil-
lion), Medicaid bills ($15 billion) and food stamps ($6 billion).
Responsibility to deter conduct that causes teen pregnancy-
promiscuity, alcohol or drug use, failure to use a condom, lack of
The persistence of the problem is a sorry reflection of the so-
a loving family, lack of hope-rests not with the U.S. surgeon
cial forces at large for the past 20 years: poverty and broken
general, federal bureaucrats and politicians but with parents in
families that lead some teens to seek love and status by having a
the first instance, as well as with teachers, social workers, clergy
baby, anything-goes moral standards, the declining authority of
and those who set the moral standards and mores of our times.
family, church and school and a mass culture that treats sex not
By medicalizing the teenage pregnancy crisis we have relieved
as a serious personal responsibility-often not even as an act of
them of their responsibility and trivialized the complexity of the
love-but as a glittering consumer item to be exploited and con-
solutions.
sumed at the moment of desire. Our teens grow up in a society
Dealing with teenage pregnancy requires a one-on-one discus-
where personal discipline is more necessary-and less popu-
sion of values and morality, something difficult to do for a Wash-
lar-than ever. And for them, popularity is everything.
ington political appointee. Such discussions best take place be-
Sex education is not simply a medical subject. It is most effec-
tween parent and child or (and this is especially important for
tive in elementary and secondary schools in tempering promiscu-
children with no families) in the privacy of a school counselor's
ous conduct and teen pregnancy where students share the same
office, parish house or community or local government social
values. Parochial schools where children profess the same reli-
service agency.
gious beliefs (whether Christian, Jewish or Muslim) and schools
For most of us the birth of a child is an occasion of great joy
in rural areas where parents share common values are more like-
and hope, a consecration of new life. But for hundreds of thou-
ly to have effective programs than are large urban schools,
sands of teenagers-particularly the majority who are unmar-
where concern for social and religious differences drives school
ried-the birth of a child can usher in a dismal future of unem-
officials to medicalize sex education, and in the process detach
ployment, poverty, family breakdown, emotional stress,
teen sexual conduct from human and moral values.
dependency on public agencies, alcohol and drug addiction and
What many call sexual liberation has brought with it unhappy
health problems for mother and child. Preventing such tragedy
consequences for millions of teens: the pressure to experiment
and comforting those in such pain requires a lot more than a
with adult behavior before they are ready, emotionally, economi-
medical degree and a fancy federal title.
cally or morally, to shoulder adult responsibility, and the wrench-
ing disruption of life and education caused by an unintended
The writer, secretary of health, education and welfare from
pregnancy and its consequences. This is not liberation. It is
1977 to 1979, is president of the Center on Addiction and
bondage for the child-mother and the mother's child.
Substance Abuse at Columbia University.
Wash. Times; 2-7-95
Dr. Foster and the art of the statement
O
n Friday, Dr. Henry Foster, President Clinton's
In relation to the "fewer than a dozen" claim. Dr.
nominee for surgeon general, released a state-
Foster's statement refers to his status "as a private
ment evidently intended to put to rest a brew-
practicing physician." But the next paragraph points
ing controversy about abortions he has performed.
out that Dr. Foster was Chief of Service at two teach-
Originally, Senate Republicans were told Dr. Foster
ing hospitals, and "A wide variety of medical proce-
had done only one abortion. But on Friday, Dr. Fos-
dures and research was performed at both. To my
ter owned up to having performed more. The state-
knowledge, all were in accordance with the law and
ment said, in pertinent part: "I have personally
educational requirements." Abortion, of course, has
delivered more than 10,000 babies in nearly 30 years
been legal for many years, and thus had Dr. Foster
of practice including my service in the military.
performed hundreds of abortions as chief of service
"In that period of almost three decades as a pri-
- as opposed to acting in his capacity as a private
vate practicing physician, I believed [sic] that I per-
physician - that fact would not have been actually
formed fewer than a dozen pregnancy terminations.
lied about, given the statement's careful wording.
None were in out-patient settings; all were in hospi-
Notice, as well, that the language about "educa-
tals and were primarily to save the lives of the
tional requirements" suggests that the doctor may
women or because the women had been victims of
have performed abortions in the course of teaching
rape or incest.
the procedure to students. If this is the case, strict-
"I was also Chief of Service at two major teaching
ly speaking, Dr. Foster's statement Friday that he had
institutions where many physicians had hospital
performed less than a dozen abortions would not be
privileges. A wide variety of medical procedures and
a lie. But that is only strictly speaking, of course.
research was performed at both. To my knowledge,
The administration was saying late yesterday that
all were in accordance with the law and education-
Dr. Foster claimed he was misquoted in the 1978
al requirements."
transcript. Maybe he was. But another interesting
Yesterday, Clinton spokesman Mike McCurry tried
fact about Dr. Foster's work in the realm of preg-
to bolster Dr. Foster by apologizing for the initial one-
nancy termination has also come to light. In the early
abortion claim, saying it was an honest mistake.
1980s, Dr. Foster was head of a research team in
Well, maybe. But the Clintons and their team do
Nashville for the Upjohn Pharmaceutical Company
have a lengthy record of carefully crafting statements
that conducted experiments administering an abor-
so as to hide, obfuscate and mislead. And facts
tion pill. Once again, this was not activity undertak-
unearthed since Friday suggest that Dr. Foster's
en as a "private practicing physician" and SO -
statement bears close reading.
strictly speaking- it doesn't count against his dozen-
At a 1978 meeting of the Health, Education and
abortion limit. But in reality, a large number of
Welfare Department's Ethics Advisory Board, of
abortions seems to have been involved.
which he was a member, Dr. Foster offered an inter-
The abortion pill research being conducted by Dr.
esting aside. In attempting to establish his profes-
Foster's team appears to have been what is known
sional bona fides regarding fetal procedures, Dr. Fos-
as "second phase" research. That is, it was not lab-
ter said: "I have done a lot of amniocentesis and
oratory development of the pill itself. Instead, it con-
therapeutic abortions, probably near 700." Never
sisted of giving the drug to pregnant women to
mind that Dr. Foster's 1978 definition of a "thera-
induce abortion. If the drug failed, it seems likely that
peutic" abortion is far broader than the definition he
the protocol would have called for surgical abortions.
gave in his statement Friday: The "therapeutic abor-
(Upjohn didn't return calls yesterday.)
tions" Dr. Foster was talking about in 1978 were not
If Mr. Clinton thought Dr. Foster's qualifications
just those to protect the life of the mother, but rather,
were so overwhelming that he could overlook the fact
included removing fetuses that showed develop-
that the doctor had performed a large number of
mental abnormalities. We are still left with nearly 700
abortions, fair enough. But he and the doctor should
therapeutic abortions. How can this possibly square
be willing to make that case forthrightly. Legalese in
with Dr. Foster's statement from last Friday? Easily,
the service of creating a false impression just won't
it turns out.
cut it. This nomination shouldn't go forward.
nomination of Dr. Foster and turn it into a litmus
test on choice," he said.
Pruden on
The not-so-subtle reminder to the Republicans
is to remember what the Democrats did to Rob-
Politics
ert Bork, turning his skepticism to the idea that
the right to an abortion is mandated by the Con-
stitution into the litmus test that sank his nomi-
By Wesley Pruden
nation. "You may do it to
Wash. Times; 2-7-95
us," the president is say-
Gilbert and Sullivan
ing to the Republicans,
"but we did it to you first.'
The Republicans are
take it on the road
playing to the script, too.
"I want to support the
Bill Clinton may only be trying to have a little
president and we're cer-
fun with the Republican Congress.
tainly going to look at it,"
Maybe he's entitled.
Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah
He hasn't been having any lately anywhere
told an interviewer. "But
else. His nomination of Dr. Henry Foster Jr. to be
there are some troubling
the very model of a modern major surgeon gen-
Zoe Baird
things concerning his
eral looks suspiciously like the first act of a Gil-
nomination."
bert and Sullivan opera.
Said Sen. Trent Lott of Mississippi on Sunday:
Dr. Foster himself is by all accounts a serious
"I do think it is in serious trouble." Sen. Bob Dole
man, but even a serious man is hard to take seri-
of Kansas asked himself: "Will it be in some dif-
ously when cast as a pawn in the Washington
ficulty?" And then he answered himself, happy
power game. The Republicans in the Senate can
that he had asked himself that question: "Yes."
outvote the president, but maybe the president
The depth of the trouble can be measured by
wants to needle them first.
Nancy Kassebaum's anger. She's one of the Nice
The president's critics describe Dr. Foster as
Republicans who are almost impossible to of-
"Elders Lite," a man only slightly less outrageous
fend, and she's offended.
than Joycelyn Elders, now back in Little Rock
The disintegration of the Foster nomination is
struggling to rebuild her condom route. This
following the script written for Zoe Baird, im-
slights Dr. Foster, who is not "Elders Lite" but
proved on by Kimba Wood and perfected by Lani
Elders with a little class.
Guinier: Fudge it at first, and if you don't suc-
But there are similarities, which the president
ceed, fudge again, keeping the story on the front
no doubt relishes. Like Dr. Elders, Dr. Foster's an
pages every day until the president looks as silly
Arkansan (from Pine Bluff), and given the fail
as a razorback on ice.
rate of the Arkansans that Bill Clinton brought
This seems to be the only script Bill Clinton
up from Little Rock, any nominee with the re-
owns. You might think that his pals Linda Blood-
motest Arkansas connection is bound to be
worth and Harry Thomason, the greatest Amer-
greeted with a measure of reserve, if not suspi-
ican dramatists since Eugene O'Neill, would have
cion.
lent a hand by now.
Dr. Elders cut a fine figure in the uniform of
The White House describes as merely an "hon-
the surgeon general, with the elan of an elevator
est mistake" the assurance that Dr. Foster first
operator at the Ritz, or at least the eclat of the
gave that he had performed just one abortion. It
Army chief of staff inspecting the barracks at
was after he reviewed his records, the White
lights out, making sure that every private has a
House said yesterday, that he found a few more
suitable privette with whom to make it through
- but still "fewer than a dozen." This sets the
the night. She was all spit and polish, setting a
stage for review of further records, and maybe it
high standard for Dr. Foster. Her brass buttons
wasn't a dozen. A hundred here, seven hundred
sparkled, and with all that braid on her sleeve
there. A man can't remember everything.
she could have been mistaken for Chief Justice
The transcript of Dr. Foster's testimony before
Rehnquist.
an ethics panel of the Department of Health,
So far as anyone knew, she was never in the
Education and Welfare reveals an interesting es-
abortion trade, but in appointing Dr. Foster, the
timate by Dr. Foster himself: "I have done a lot
president keeps the "condom seat" warm in his
of amniocentesis and therapeutic abortions,
administration. In future, no one will be consid-
probably 700." Dr. Foster says he didn't say it.
ered for surgeon general without experience in
Senators don't like to be fibbed to, but the good
running rubbers.
news is that despite that neat uniform it doesn't
The tip that the president may be playing this
matter. Does anybody know what a surgeon gen-
one as an exercise in one-upmanship came yes-
eral actually does, besides arranging our sur-
terday from Mike McCurry, the president's press
geons for the St. Patrick's parade? Comic opera,
agent. "It would be unfortunate if they take the
like Bill Clinton, is not to everybody's taste, and
even the very model of a modern model surgeon
Today's debate: THE NEW SURGEON GENERAL
USA Today; 2-7-95
Ability, not abortion,
is test of surgeon general
Henry Foster has
Instead of fixating on the number of
OUR VIEW
done what thou-
abortions performed by Foster. how about
answering the most pertinent question: Is
sands of good doctors have done
he qualified to be the nation's public health
- provided care for his patients.
spokesman?
Yes, if you judge Foster on his medical
In 30 years of medical practice, Tennes-
credentials and community service.
see gynecologist and obstetrician Henry
A dean and acting president of Meharry
Foster distinguished himself by combining
Medical College, Foster has been endorsed
conscientious patient care with helping the
by the American Medical Association and
less fortunate to help themselves.
ACOG. He's won national recognition and
For that, some want to deny him the job
awards for his campaign to reduce infant
of surgeon general.
mortality and to curb teen pregnancy and
Opponents of sex education, teen birth
drug abuse. His "I Have a Future" program
control and abortion are flooding Capitol
encourages young people to delay sexual
Hill with condemnations of President Clin-
activity, develop job skills and improve
ton's latest nominee. Not only does Foster
self-esteem.
support all the things they don't, he actually
As surgeon general, Foster says he will
admits performing abortions.
continue working to reduce out-of-wedlock
Foster says he performed fewer than a
pregnancy.
dozen abortions, primarily to save the lives
Aren't those the very goals of the people
of the mothers or to help victims of rape or
now vowing to kill Foster's nomination?
incest.
And aren't these the critical problems we
That is no reason to kill the nomination.
want a surgeon general to address?
As long as the abortions were legal and Fos-
When Republicans were the minority in
ter's accounting is truthful, he deserves to
Congress, they constantly preached that the
be confirmed.
ultimate litmus test for presidential nomi-
Foster should not be condemned for do-
nees should be qualifications, not ideology
ing what committed physicians do every
or politics. Now they are poised to let an
day, ministering to the total health needs of
aggressive minority toss that standard out
his patients. When the patients are women,
the window.
that sometimes means abortion.
If Foster is qualified, make him surgeon
Most of the more than 35,000 U.S. ob-
general. But don't eliminate him merely be-
stetricians and gynecologists have per-
cause he did his job as a physician and he
formed abortions, according to estimates
did it well.
from the American College of Obstetri-
cians and Gynecologists.
Foster controversy, 1A
USA Today; 2-7-95
Foster isn't fit for job
A physician
He committed abortion in a hospital set-
OPPOSING VIEW
who would
ting, and we surmise that he somehow feels
this is an acceptable thing. It is not.
perform abortions can't be trust-
Foster's basic studies in biology and his
ed in such a high national office.
early medical training taught him that a
person exists at fertilization. Destroying
By Judie Brown
that person is not a "reproductive activity,"
Henry Foster Jr. is a physician who has,
as administration officials have suggested;
during the course of his medical career,
it is a tragedy.
opted out of the Hippocratic Oath and
A preborn child is not a cancerous
bought the lie that abortion is a good thing.
growth or a disease. A preborn child is a
human being, and Foster just doesn't get it.
His nomination by pro-abortion Presi-
dent William Jefferson Clinton for the of-
Morally and ethically, regardless of what
fice of surgeon general is a joke, a very bad
the law says or does not say, no physician is
ever forced to abort a child. Obviously,
joke that could cost the lives of many more
Foster wanted to do those abortions, and
preborn human beings if Foster is con-
he did do them.
firmed.
A man who can find reasons to eliminate
America now knows his dirty little se-
a tiny baby, a fellow human being, is a man
cret, that during his medical career he per-
sonally aborted several little children.
who has trouble separating rhetoric from
reality. An abortion destroys somebody.
This admission alone must cause every
Abortion kills.
responsible politician to pause.
The United States does not need a sur-
A doctor who has already perpetrated an
act that is diabolical in the eyes of millions
geon general who denies such a basic truth
of Americans is not a doctor who will be
in his professional practice, even if all of his
trusted, regardless of his political mantle of
other qualifications elevate him to saint-
hood - which, I might add, they do not.
respectability. After all, do we really want a
surgeon general who has already proven his
Henry Foster must be rejected by the
"compassion" with instruments designed
Senate and, most important, by the Ameri-
to kill?
can people.
Foster is not qualified to be surgeon gen-
His prescription for solving women's
eral. He is a man who has admitted to tak-
problems is deadly.
ing the lives of preborn children, and he has
Judie Brown is president of American Life
made no apologies for his grisly action.
League, based in Stafford, Va.
22 THE GREEN SHEET
Balt. Sun; 2-7-95
Effort to replace Elders
has been made difficult
2A
WASHINGTON - In the nomina-
tion of Dr. Henry Foster Jr. to be
surgeon general. President Clinton
and his advisers have once again
demonstrated their special talent for
making things more difficult than
they need to be.
The choice of Dr. Foster was
meant to be a positive statement be-
cause of the special reputation the
Nashville obstetrician-gynecologist
had acquired for his efforts to dis-
JACK
JULES
&
courage teen-age pregnancies.
GERMOND
WITCOVER
But the White House had to know
from the outset that choosing some-
one with such a specialty would
test on choice." Already the air is full
raise questions about abortion.
of complaints that Dr. Foster has
The safe thing would have been
been involved in Planned Parent-
for the president to choose instead
hood.
some state public health official with
a different area of expertise; nobody
The president. meanwhile, has
demonstrates against orthopedists.
little or no room to maneuver on this
But, having opted not to take the
nomination. He cannot eastly absorb
easy way, the White House made
the political abuse he would suffer If
things infinitely more difficult by ap-
he ended up replacing Joycelyn
pearing defensive on the question of
Elders because she was too contro-
whether Dr. Foster had ever per-
versial with another nominee who is
formed any abortions.
too controversial. even if far more
First, Sen. Nancy Kassebaum,
circumspect than Dr. Elders in his
chairwoman of the Senate Labor and
choice of language.
Human Resources Committee, was
Nor can Clinton forget the Lani
told there had been just one. Then
Guinier episode almost two years ago
the White House had to admit that
- the nomination of and then with-
this was "an honest mistake" and
drawal of Guinier to be assistant at-
that he had performed "fewer than a
torney general for civil rights be-
dozen," most of them involving cases
cause of a controversy over some of
of rape, incest or danger to the moth-
her writing as an academic. The de-
er.
cision to throw Guinier over the side
And. the White House quickly
still rankles with some black leaders
added, over his long career Dr. Foster
in the Democratic Party.
had delivered more than 10,000 ba-
bies. The implication was that this
In that case, however, the presi-
record might atone for the abortions.
dent had a fig leaf - his story that
The political mistake was, of
he had learned about Guinier's ideas
course, getting into the numbers
and articles only after nominating
game at all.
her and was pulling back simply be-
The fact is that Dr. Foster was not
cause he found he didn't agree with
primarily an abortionist, but It is no
those ideas and articles. That kind of
surprise to discover that someone
excuse clearly won't wash with Dr.
with his resume performed the pro-
Foster.
cedure on occasion. And, most to the
point, he did so at a time when It was
On the face of It. the Republicans
perfectly legal.
should be applauding the choice of
So why should either the nominee
someone devoted to preaching sexual
or the president be thrown on the
abstinence and preventing teen-age
defensive?
pregnancies. That approach would
We all know there are millions of
seem to square with the "family val-
Americans who oppose abortion un-
ues" so many conservatives like to
der any circumstances. But the law
talk about these days. But abortion is
allows abortion, so there is no reason
a red flag issue. so some heat is inev-
Dr. Foster should appear to be hem-
itable.
ming and hawing - and, inevitably.
The irony is that things seemed to
recalling candidate Bill Clinton ad-
have been picking up for Clinton. His
mitting in 1992 that he had smoked
poll ratings were improved. he had
marijuana in England but never in-
shown strength and leadership on
haled.
Mexico. trade with China and the
The mistake was made, however.
baseball strike.
and the stage is now set for another
Jull-scale brouhaha over abortion
But now another case of clumsi-
rights. White House press secretary
ness in the White House has given
Michael McCurry had to be kidding
aid and comfort to his enemies -
when he said he hoped the nomina-
and put Dr. Foster's nomination in
tion wouldn't be used as "a litmus
some Jeopardy.
Wash. Times; 2-6-95
Dr. Foster's nomination
T
he Clinton administration can't seem to get it
our youths to be productive citizens. We already have
right when it comes to the issue of choosing a
too many advocates who say don't do it, but be safe
qualified surgeon general. Dr. Henry W. Fos-
if you do and abort if neither works.
ter Jr., the Nashville obstetrician/gynecologist who
This is where Dr. Foster's credentials may be
President Clinton named on Thursday as his surgeon
lacking, especially if he wants to stress abstinence.
general nominee, appears to have solid medical cre-
He has served on Planned Parenthood's board of
dentials, but his work and philosophy in the area of
directors from 1978-1981 and as been on the group's
adolescent pregnancy and sex education are trou-
advisory board since 1981. he has also served on the
bling.
National Leadership Committee to Keep Abortion
Dr. Foster's work with Planned Parenthood and the
Safe and Legal, a subpanel of Planned Parenthood,
health-promotion initiatives he began in two
since 1989. Although his "I have a future" program
Nashville housing projects advocate abortion, con-
encouraged young people in two public housing pro-
dom distribution to teens and sex education pro-
jects to delay sexual activity, it also distributed con-
grams that are far outside the mainstream.
doms. He has delivered thousands of babies and con-
The surgeon general has little bureaucratic power,
ducted abortions, fewer than a dozen, he says, mainly
but he is the preacher in the bully pulpit on matters
to save lives or in cases of rape and incest.
involving public health. Dr. Foster said that, if con-
It is no surprise that a president who advocates the
firmed, he would focus on cutting the teen pregnan-
right to abortion would nominate someone who
cy rate, now at 2,800 a day, and focus on the issue of
shares that philosophy. But you have to wonder
abstinence.
about the reasons behind this particular choice. Mr.
The trouble is, on this issue, Dr. Foster doesn't
Clinton did not have to pick an obstetrician. What's
appear to be much different from Dr. Joycelyn Elders,
wrong with heart surgeons? But when he did chose
the outspoken surgeon general who was fired in
an obstetrician, he should have known that the ques-
December after a series of statements about such mat-
tion of abortion would come up. Still, the salient facts
ters as the possible merits of legalizing drugs and the
that Dr. Foster supported abortion and had per-
benefits of teaching masturbation in public schools.
formed it himself failed to materialize on the official
The major public health issues facing our coun-
biography issued by the White House, Health and
y-teen pregnancy, the declining numbers of two-
Human Services and indeed the doctor's office, as
parent families, AIDS and sexually transmitted dis-
well. They were revealed after a series of questions
eases - are all connected to unplanned children and
from The Washington Times and other media.
the decline in moral values.
After two-and-a-half years in office and with a
What the Clinton administration fails to under-
bloody trail of botched nominations behind him, you
stand is that a major ailment needs drastic medicine.
would think that Mr. Clinton by now knows that hid-
We need a surgeon general who can speak forceful-
ing the truth and then getting it out in dribs and drabs
ly and confront the problems head-on, not one who
has tremendous political costs. These are issues that
speaks from both sides of his pulpit.
promise to take center stage when Dr. Foster's con-
In the fight against out-of-wedlock births and fam-
firmation hearings are held by the Senate Labor and
ily values, we need a surgeon general to speak in
Human Resources Committee. If the senators are
clear, concise tones of right and wrong about how to
skeptical about this candidacy already, it's very easy
strengthen the family unit and the best way to guide
to understand.