Sharing Stage, Obama and McCain Split on Abortion

Presidential contenders Barack Obama and John McCain differed on abortion tonight, with McCain saying a baby's human rights begin "at conception," while Obama restated his support for legalized abortion. Their comments came during a two-hour forum on faith and moral issues hosted by the minister Rick Warren at his megachurch in Orange County, Calif. The candidates were interviewed separately.

Obama said he would limit abortions in the late stages of pregnancy if there are exceptions for the mother's health. He said he knew pro-lifers will find his stance "inadequate." McCain expressed his anti-abortion stand simply and quickly, saying human rights begin the instant that a human egg is fertilized. Obama said America's greatest moral failure is its insufficient help to the disadvantaged. McCain said it's people's failure to "devote ourselves to causes greater than our self-interests." (More John McCain stories.)