Posted on 09/22/2009 3:41:29 PM PDT by fabrizio
WASHINGTON, D.C., September 22, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele has again cast doubt on his professed loyalty to the pro-life movement by saying he "absolutely" believes there is room for a pro-abortion candidate in the GOP.
Steele gave the remarks during a brief interview with the Columbus Dispatch in a local restaurant Thursday after leading a Republican rally against President Obama's health care legislation.
Steele told the newspaper that a Republican candidate's view on legal protection for unborn children should reflect the views of their local constituencies. The GOP chair was then asked if there is room in the party for a pro-abortion candidate such as Steve Stivers of Ohio's 15th district, who is favored to win the Republican nomination next year.
"There absolutely is, there absolutely is," said Steele.
"The key thing right now - and I think this is true for Republicans across the country - is to have leadership that reflects the communities I live in, where we're from," he continued. "As we get ready for the battles that lie ahead from this district to all the districts surrounding the state, that you're going to find those candidates emerge and rise up who reflect those values in those communities, and that's a very important step for the party to take, I think, and I'm looking forward to help lead that charge in the future."
In response, Ohio Right to Life executive director Michael Gonadakis told the Dispatch: "I'm scratching my head, because I believe Republican candidates should reflect the views of the Republican platform."
According to his organization's survey, Gondakis noted that a majority of Ohioans are pro-life, even in the less conservative 15th district.
Though Steele has insisted that he is deeply pro-life, his comments on abortion appear largely guided by his stated priority of opening the party to a broader voter base - a tactic that has landed him on shaky ground with pro-life leadership.
In a March GQ interview, Steele called abortion an "individual choice" that should be decided by the states.
The remarks drew fire from organizations such as the Family Research Council and Americans United for Life, and prompting Indiana's Bishop Gerald Gettelfinger to protest Steele's presence at a Right to Life banquet in March.
While campaigning for the GOP chairmanship in January, Steele was also forced to retract statements he gave in a 2006 Meet the Press interview, in which he appeared to favor upholding Roe v. Wade.
Steele has got to go.
Get rid of this clown!
I won’t vote for pro abortion, anti 2nd amendment candidates. This isn’t negotiable!
If the GOP doesn’t stand up for conservative and family values it’s done for. With so much animus toward the Marxists in power the GOP has a golden opportunity to do something right. But, the so-called leadership just doesn’t get it. Steele is stupid beyond belief.
Shut up, Steele, you jerk.
Every time you run that stupid mouth of yours, you set the party back and lose votes.
Do you WANT to lose the next election? It sure seems like it.
Chairman Steele Says Pro-Abortion Candidates “Absolutely” Welcomed by GOP
And there in black and white you see the reason the GOP is losing elections. Why vote for Democrat wannabes when you can just vote for the Democrat?
“The GOP chair was then asked if there is room in the party for a pro-abortion candidate...”
Eh, Mr. Steele, you were being baited and you bit. Idiot.
Another example why Steele is ABSOLUTELY wrong for conservatives. When will the GOP learn?
I’ll take pro-abortion people in the House, as they don’t pick judges. Just give me a good fiscal conservative with strong libertarian tendancies.
Senators/President — no.
Why does he even have to answer this question? Nobody forced him to answer it. And then add “absolutely” to rub salt in our wounds.
'Nuff said!
This man is no conservative.
WTF?
Fagaddabout it. With this the GOP is dead.
Steele and the GOP have totally lost touch with American conservatives and the Grassroots movement that has sprung up in the absence of leadership from the GOP.
“Chairman Steele Says Pro-Abortion Candidates “Absolutely” Welcomed by GOP”
Then I am not.
Thanks Steele for throwing one of your establishment hacks under the bus. Now begone!
Please go away Steele, and take Mccain with you.
WTH???? This is outrageous! THE GOP IS (SUPPOSED TO BE) A PRO-LIFE PARTY, MR. STEELE!!!! DON’T YOU GET THAT???
I am so SICK of the GOP kowtowing to the RINOs like Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Charlie Crist, etc. UGH!
This is going to be the ultimate destruction of the party; when it loses its PRINCIPLES!
Pro-abortion??? NO DEAL, MR. STEELE!
What a vile turncoat Steele is.
he “absolutely” believes there is room for a pro-abortion candidate in the GOP.
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