"This Burning Moral Issue"

With this afternoon's March for Life in Washington in the books, now it can be told all was quiet on the "Mexico City" front.

In other words, President Obama didn't use today's Roe v. Wade anniversary to overturn the "gag rule" on Federal grants to overseas programs that "perform or promote" abortion. A symbolic move eagerly sought by the new chief's pro-choice base, an executive order reversing the funding ban was one of Bill Clinton's first acts in office on this day in 1993, and George W. Bush likewise used this date to restore the policy in 2001, two days after his swearing-in.

To be sure, it's not as if the 44th president's gone south on one of his most loyal constituencies -- in a statement released late today, Obama reaffirmed that he was "committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose" -- but the move's delay is an olive branch to the pro-life base, much of which considers the Democrat the most "pro-abortion" figure ever to occupy the Oval Office.

The first major protest in the capital since the new administration came to office, size estimates on the cross-country crowd ranged between 100,000 and 250,000:

The new president was on the minds of most marchers as they listened to about 20 congressman and other speakers detail the challenges they face under the Obama administration.

"For the past 14 years we pro-lifers have had it easy ... that's all changed," said Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, Wisconsin Republican and former chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

"Mr. Obama, you are a great orator, but you must also be a great doer. You must enact changes that will save lives," said March for Life founder Nellie Gray.

The crowd, which was made up largely of teenagers, college students, and other youths, was largely upbeat, with many still wearing Obama pins and hats from the inauguration.

"I voted for Obama, I love his passion, but I understand his positions and I just think he's wrong on this particular issue. Life comes before politics for me," said David Alderran, 28, of Louisville, Ky., who attended the inauguration his wife and newborn daughter.

"I'm excited about his optimism, about the change he'll bring, even though I'm disappointed with his abortion views," said Mellissa Carnacchi, 20, a student at Eastern Michigan University. She was among about 50 other students from the "Michigan Students for Life" who attended the march.

With the swearing-in of Mr. Obama, many marchers were hoping that the event's large turnout would bring more debate to the topic of abortion.

"We want to open people's eyes, to help them believe that abortion is wrong. We're talking about people's lives here," said Katie Eberts, 20, who attends the University of Michigan.

A key legislative item that the crowd rallied against was the the Freedom of Choice Act, an umbrella bill that aims to protect women's health and their right "to begin, prevent or continue a pregnancy." Many pro-life activists feel that the bill would eliminate restrictions on abortion nationwide, including parental notification for minors.

Mr. Obama has said that he would sign the bill into law if passed by the Congress.

"I'm scared of the ... bill, we need to protect our babies," said Adrienne Washington, 49 of Lynchburg Va.

Before the march began, around 18,000 young people attended a rally at the Verizon Center near Chinatown, where they were given an official address by Pope Benedict XVI, relayed by Archbishop Pietro Sambri, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

"His Holiness is deeply grateful for your outstanding annual witness for the gospel of life. The Holy Father encourages young people to make their voices heard on this burning moral issue," said Archbishop Sambi.

PHOTO: Reuters

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