Replies

The Milwaukee paper notes that Rep. Kleczka did NOT sign the letter (he's retiring, anyway) and that Rep. David Obey will NOT state whether or not he signed the letter.

Obey was sent a warning letter by Bp. Burke of LaCrosse, Wi., about 6 or 8 months ago and has done his best to lie, spin, and otherwise act like a Democrat pol.

According to the article, the three pro-life House Democrats who signed the bill were Bart Stupak of Michigan (the UP and the "index and middle fingers" of the LP), Jim Langevin of RI and Mike Doyle of PA (Pittsburgh and its close-in suburbs). However, I found the letter here http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/documents/letter_to_mccarrick_05-10-2004.pdf and I found two other generally pro-life Democrats who signed on to it: Tim Ryan of OH (Mahoning Valley and Akron) and Jim Oberstar of MN (Iron Range). I guess those guys have decided to place politics ahead of their faith.

But the most interesting thing to note is that only 48 House Democrats signed the letter, even though there are probably close to 100 Catholic Democrats in the House. I counted a dozen pro-life Catholic Democrats in the House who did not sign on to the letter (there are probably others that I missed), perhaps because they agree with the bishops' position, but most probably because they don't want to get involved or else fear a political backlash from pro-life voters: Congressmen McNulty (NY), Crowley (NY), Holden (PA), Kanjorski (PA), Murtha (PA), Kleczka (WI), Michaud (ME), Neal (MA), Ortiz (TX), Lipinski (IL), Costello (IL) and Chris John (LA). I would hope that the media will seek their reaction to the letter, but I'm not holding my breath.

Jim Obey, who is pro-life some of the time, did not sign the letter, nor did pro-lifer Jerry Kleczka.

Among Massachusetts Democrats, Stephen Lynch is pro-abortion, although Richard Neal is pro-life, as was Joe Moakley.