Bush Phones Pro-Lifers He Is With Them : Denounces Abortion on Demand as an ‘American Tragedy’

President Bush told tens of thousands of demonstrators today that abortion on demand is an “American tragedy” and said he favors reversal of the landmark Supreme Court decision legalizing it.

Speaking by telephone hookup to activists gathered near the White House on the 16th anniversary of the historic Roe vs. Wade decision, Bush said he believes that the ruling “was wrong and should be overturned.”

The new President made the call shortly after Vice President Dan Quayle also assured anti-abortion leaders that the new Administration supports their cause.

“I wanted to share with you my deep personal concern about our American tragedy--abortion on demand,” Bush said.

‘Way of Life’

“I think America needs a human life amendment, and I think when it comes to abortion, there’s a better way--the way of adoption, the way of life,” he said, adding:

“I’m confident that more and more Americans every year--every day--are hearing your message and taking it to heart. I promise you that the President hears you now and stands with you in a cause that must be won. God bless you all and God bless life.”

Talking to anti-abortion leaders earlier, Quayle said, “I have been involved with a lot of people in my state (Indiana) on this issue. I couldn’t think of a more appropriate group to be meeting with.”

White House Chief of Staff John H. Sununu accompanied Quayle to the meeting, and the vice president said Sununu was there because he wanted to hear the visitors’ views.

When a reporter asked whether the Bush Administration could succeed in getting the Roe vs. Wade decision reversed, Quayle replied, “Time will tell. We have the same commitment.” He said it is important that someone stand up and speak for “those people who are not yet born.”

Missouri Case

The noontime rally and a march to Capitol Hill culminated a series of nationwide protests against the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion.

The debate has taken on added intensity this year, with a reconstituted Supreme Court considering a Missouri case with the potential to result in significant changes in the legal doctrine governing abortion.

In downtown Pittsburgh, about 1,200 pro-choice marchers joined a “March For Women’s Lives.” They were met at the Allegheny County morgue by about 40 anti-abortion marchers.

The pro-choice march was preceded by a rally at which Eleanor Smeal, a former National Organization for Women president, said, “Some people want to save their souls by spilling the blood of innocent women. That isn’t Christianity. It’s hypocrisy. The church has no business dictating the policies of this country.”

Earlier today, Bush said, “Let’s go to work,” as he presided at a brief ceremony in the East Room at which 65 White House staff members were sworn in by Quayle. Bush declared that the lights in his White House will “burn brightly well after dark,” and he instructed his senior staff to put in long hours. He also told them to avoid even the appearance of conflict of interest.

Presidential spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said Bush would soon set up a commission to propose ways of strengthening ethics laws governing both Administration officials and members of Congress.