Missouri Governor Pledges to Veto Any Pro-Life Legislation on Abortion

LifeNews.com ^ | February 18, 2004 | Paul Nowak

[nickcarraway]

Jefferson City, MO (LifeNews.com) -- Despite the fact that there are enough pro-life legislators in Missouri to override his vetoes, Governor Bob Holden called them hypocrites for supporting restrictions on abortion while loosening restrictions on business and agriculture.

Speaking Tuesday to 150 attendees at a pro-abortion rally, Holden pledged to veto any pro-life legislation -- even though his veto last session of a law requiring a 24 hour waiting period before an abortion was overridden by legislators from both parties.

Holden referred to Republican legislators' attempts to reduce the government burden on business and agriculture, and criticized the fact that they also "want the government smack in the middle of the most personal decisions a woman has to make."

"Their position is hypocritical, and it's an insult to the women of Missouri," Holden said.

His comments didn't go over very well with pro-life lawmakers.

"Unfortunately, we have an executive branch who does not respect life," said House Budget Committee Chairman Carl Bearden (R-St Charles). "We're being principled -- both in relieving regulations on agriculture and protecting life. ... It's unfortunate we have to take such a regulatory stand to protect life. It shouldn't be necessary, but it is."

Bearden also said that Planned Parenthood affiliates in the state will receive no funding from the state's 2005 budget, despite Holden's requests that funding be restored after the legislature cut off state family planning grants last year.

Other pro-life legislative initiatives in Missouri include an effort to ban human cloning and an attempt to allow parents to sue anyone who tries to circumvent Missouri's parental consent law by taking their daughters to Illinois or Kansas for abortions. A bill to make Missouri the seventh in the nation to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to include unborn children.

Americans United for Life, a pro-life legal group, recognized Missouri as one of nine states last year to pass at least two pieces of legislation further protecting unborn children – despite the state's pro-abortion governor.

Missouri Right to Life, the state's largest pro-life group, is hopeful about pro-life Secretary of State Matt Blunt's run to oust the almost powerless pro-abortion Holden.

During a campaign kick-off in St. Louis, Blunt said, "I'm clearly pro-life." To back up that statement, Blunt said that he would support legislation barring late-term abortions and requiring counseling for women considering abortions.

[nickcarraway]

ping

[wvnavyvet]

Ever stop to think there are more Democrats that are baby killers than Viet Nam war veterans who were falsely accused.

[GiveEmDubya]

The only reason OTB [One-term Bob] got elected was sympathy for Carnahan. And after he got elected, he proved he was awful in so many ways.

Don't let the door smack ya on the way out.

[TaxPayer2000]

Governor Bob Holden called them hypocrites for supporting restrictions on abortion while loosening restrictions on business and agriculture.

Listen up Bobby boy, the life of a child is far more precious than any business or food item, be it Taco Bell or brussel sprouts!

[madprof98]

Where do they get these people?!?

[JohnnyZ]

This is hilarious. One-term-Bob is running way to the left to beat McCaskill in the primary. He's so screwed.

[Desdemona]

Where do they get these people?!?

His bio says he's from the Ozarks, but he went to Harvard for business school.

I didn't vote for him. My pick is now a senator.

[LiteKeeper]

called them hypocrites for supporting restrictions on abortion while loosening restrictions on business and agriculture.

And there is certainly an equality between saving the life of an unborn child and restrictions on business and agriculture

[gathersnomoss]

"Governor Bob Holden called them hypocrites for supporting restrictions on abortion while loosening restrictions on business and agriculture."

How do you with a straight face equate abortion with business and agriculture? What is up with the citizens of this state? Only two questions per post.

[jmaroneps37]

Add this dope to the gang in San Fran and we look better every day!

[Honestfreedom]

What a logician? Comparing regulation of business to regulation of abortion. Business is of and by itself a good thing that government should stay out of so it can flourish. Abortion is the destruction of human life by a woman desperate to avoid the consequences of pregnancy. While it is possible to sympathize with a woman choosing abortion and favor its legalization it is impossible to compare it to ordinary commerce.

[nickcarraway]

Where do they get these people?!?

I don't know where they get them, but there is no shortage...

[El Conservador]

MO ping.

It looks like Billy Bob wants to pander some more before his a$$ is voted out of office...

[Hill-William]

Unfortunately in Missouri Democraps are not just Democraps until the day they die. They continue to vote for years after burial. That's what cost John Ashcroft the Senate seat in 2000 and put the governors office in the hands of Holden.

With better poll watchers this election Holden will become a footnote in Missouri history. A small footnote.

[surelyclintonsbaddream]

Voter fraud. I recently attended a Republican event. It was stated by, I believe the Speaker of the House, Catherine H. that Matt Blount had put a big dent in voter fraud. Lots of dead voters and polls staying open longer. We met Matt Blount, Catherine H, Rod Jetton and a host of others. We were really impressed by them. Pro-life and their religious beliefs. Here in Missouri "We can't keep Holden on"

[TravisBickle]

Holden benefited from the third-world election procedures in North St Louis. Without that, Jim Talent would be our Governor and John Ashcroft would still be Senator.

[Grit]

Governor Bob Holden called them hypocrites for supporting restrictions on abortion while loosening restrictions on business and agriculture.

Methinks the Governor needs a dictionary.

[nickcarraway]

All Missouri and Illinois voters become Democrats in the end.