You'll recall that part of the deal that pushed Obamacare through Congress involved whether the law would contain a prohibition on abortion funding. Ultimately, it did not, but the White House drew up a meaningless executive order on the subject to give political cover for a few pro-life Democrats, most notably Bart Stupak of Michigan.

Rahm commented on this executive order the other day in a Chicago Tribune editorial board meeting with the candidates for mayor of Chicago. Carol Moseley-Braun, one of his rivals, brought it up and suggested that Emanuel had  "threw women under the bus" with this executive order.

Emanuel didn't exactly come out and say that the executive order was meaningless, but he did point out that his plan kept the measure out of the law. He also mentioned that female members of Congress who strongly support legalized abortion were very supportive of the effort. Here was the heart of what he said about the matter:

“I came up with an idea of an executive order to allow the Stupak amendment not to exist in law, but by executive order. And it was good enough for Nancy Pelosi, Jan Schakowski here in Chicago, Rosa DeLauro, Anna Eshoo, Nita Lowey – a number of women who are held up as honors by NARAL and Planned Parenthood, who supported that bill and supported the way to make progress.”