Planned Parenthood and Same-Sex Marriage

    Curiously, Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood recently released a statement in response to President Obama's endorsement of the concept of same-sex marriage:

“Planned Parenthood applauds President Obama for his historic announcement on marriage equality today. This president has been a steadfast ally for women’s reproductive health and rights and for the rights of all men and women to participate fully in society.

“Planned Parenthood believes that reproductive rights are deeply connected to civil rights for all Americans. We have long stood with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the struggle for full equality – many of whom turn to Planned Parenthood for health care, information and education – and today we join LGBT communities to celebrate President Obama’s commitment to equality.” 

It is unclear why PP found this proclamation by the President worthy of public comment given the tenuous connection between same-sex marriage and PP's "Who We Are" statement:

Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of women, men, and young people worldwide.

Other press statements are much more closely linked to "health"-related issues, abortion, and funding of PP. The obvious answer is that this is a political statement.  Whatever pretense PP likes to try to maintain that the organization is all about health and reproductive rights, they clearly follow the path of the political left.  What makes the current statement so risible is the degree of praise that PP is willing to bestow on President Obama for a purely cosmetic announcement of his position.  His administration has made no policy changes, nor are any planned.  Imagine if you will if the President had said the following in the context of abortion:

"Well-- well-- well, what I'm saying is is that different states are coming to different conclusions. But this debate is taking place-- at a local level. And I think the whole country is evolving and changing. And-- you know, one of the things that I'd like to see is-- that a conversation continue in a respectful way." [Source: ABC News]

 Does anyone believe Cecile Richards would have been so sanguine as to "celebrate President Obama’s commitment” in that case?  No, neither do I.