Bush Praises 75,000 Who Protest Roe vs. Wade : Abortion: President does not renew call for a constitutional amendment to prohibit procedure. Pro-choice supporters also demonstrate in capital.

President Bush, confronting an increasing schism over abortion within his own party, affirmed his staunch opposition as he spoke to thousands of anti-abortion marchers Monday in a brief telephone address.

“Let me assure you that this President stands with you on this issue of life,” he told an estimated 75,000 persons who gathered here for the 17th annual March For Life, commemorating the anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion. “God bless you and God bless life.”

Unlike last year, however, Bush did not call for a constitutional amendment to ban abortion. And neither he nor Vice President Dan Quayle--who was out of town--met with march organizers. Last year, Quayle greeted some of the demonstrators as one of his first official duties, and during his tenure former President Ronald Reagan hosted them at the White House.

However, Bush told the demonstrators that he continues to oppose abortion “on demand” and praised the marchers for serving “as a poignant reminder to all Americans that human life in all its forms must be respected.”

The President, speaking through a telephone hookup from the White House to the rally site several blocks away, cited the “moral superiority of adoption over abortion.”

“We should all be grateful to the families that adopt babies, giving them care and love and a chance for a wonderful life,” he said.

Advocates of legal abortion also used the day to present their point of view. Kate Michelman, executive director of the National Abortion Rights Action League, told a Capitol Hill briefing that the pro-choice movement has political momentum on its side.

“There are still serious legislative and legal threats to choice, but the intensity, volume and speed that was expected to move anti-choice bills through America’s statehouses thus far has not materialized,” she said. “Voters are rallying in support of the right to choose, and the power of their commitment is forcing longtime anti-choice politicians to reassess their positions.”

Also on Capitol Hill, pro-choice supporters demonstrated before a wooden backdrop inscribed: “In memory of the courageous women who died from illegal unsafe abortions because they had no choice.”

Abortion has been an issue of growing political sensitivity for Bush in recent months.

The Supreme Court decision last year giving states increased power to restrict abortions mobilized pro-choice activists into organizing against political candidates who oppose abortions, with notable early successes.

GOP and White House officials in recent days have sought to limit the potential political damage by emphasizing that the party can accommodate different points of view.

White House Press Secretary Marlin Fitzwater said Monday that Bush agrees with this approach, and that Bush “feels very strongly about his position on abortion.”

“He feels that it is a personal choice of conscience he has made and considered and urges others to consider their conscience and their principles in making their own personal judgments,” Fitzwater said. “But we all feel that there is room within the party for varying points of view on this issue.”

The demonstrators, who marched from the Ellipse area behind the White House to the Supreme Court, came from as far away as California, Florida and Missouri. Many carried placards reading “Stop Abortion Now.”

Many children had signs attached to their strollers reading “Let My People Grow.” Clerical collars poked out of winter overcoats, open because of unseasonably mild temperatures. Some demonstrators carried wooden crosses covered with biblical passages; others had “bloodied” baby dolls nailed to them.

“If we can get enough people out here, the senators and representatives will have to listen, because they’ll be afraid for their jobs,” said Mark Giorgino, 35, who came with other members of his Englewood, N.J., Roman Catholic parish. “If they (congressmen) keep aborting babies, we can abort their jobs.”

Richard Jennings, 50, a businessman from Solvang, Calif., has flown to Washington for the annual march for the past 14 years.

“I know our movement is a hard sell,” Jennings said. “Being pro-life is an unpopular, unpalatable thing in many quarters. We’re saying, ‘Be responsible,’ and a lot of people don’t want to hear that.”

Nellie J. Gray, president of March for Life, introduced a series of lawmakers who support her group’s position to demonstrate the strength of anti-abortion sentiment at a time when many congressmen are “flip-flopping” to the other side.

“They talk pro-choice,” said Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.), referring to congressmen who have switched to the pro-choice camp. “What they really mean is ‘pro-tection’ of their political hides. Others may try to dodge the issue and squirm and flip-flop, but not this senator.”

Staff writer James Gerstenzang contributed to this story.