Bush Employing Platform Shoos to Keep Party in Line [pro-life alert]

Sun Times/NY Post ^ | August 5, 2004 | Bob Novak

[firebrand]

Although this column does not say the pro-life plank will be removed, "trimmed down" doesn't sound good. The committee might not change the plank; they might just eliminate it.

There are two big reasons to worry about this: (1) We don't want the pro-life plank to be eliminated because of the damage this would do to the pro-life cause; (2) if this happens, Bush will lose his base and lose the election.

The RNCLife has sent out an e-mail alert about this column. Here are the people to contact to make sure the pro-life plank stays in the platform:

Bill Frist (chairman of the Platform Committee): 202-224-3135

Melissa Hart (vice chairman): 202-225-2565

Governor Bill Owens of Colorado (vice chairman): 303-866-2471

Anne Phelps (executive director): 212-356-2558

Ed Gillespie (chairman of the RNC): 202-863-8700

[firebrand]

Please ping your pro-life list?

[mcg1969]

I'm certainly against the complete elimination of the pro-life plank... HOWEVER, it seems to me that the overriding strategic priority is judicial reform. Without it, a pro-life platform is essentially meaningless because of its unenforceability. So if Bush & Co. are proposing a more "inclusive" platform with this strategic goal in mind, I'm not sure I'd be totally against it. I'd have to see it to be sure.

[CA Conservative]

Ummm... I saw nothing in this article about pro-life issues. Furthermore, Bush has impeccable pro-life credentials. If the platform is written by his people, it will have a strong pro-life plank.

[firebrand]

Well, the Republican National Coalition for Life seemed pretty concerned about it, and sent out an e-mail to all the delegates.

By the way Rep. Melissa Hart and Governor Bill Owens are co-chairmen, not vice chairmen, I saw when I looked at the RNCLife e-mail again.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Squelching of debate is always a cause for concern.

[CA Conservative]

Well, without some specific examples of "trimming" the pro-life plank, from credible sources, I am going to give the President the benefit of the doubt here. Despite the perpetual handwringing that goes on around here, I have never seen any evidence that Bush is anthing less than committed to the pro-life cause.

[firebrand]

I have heard rumors of a big fight, bigger than usual, by those who are opposed to the life plank. "Trimming down" the platform may be an attempt to head this debate off at the pass. But it is much better for the cause AND for Bush to have the plank in there.

[firebrand]

Bush is fine on the pro-life cause. He MAY be taking the wrong tactic here. Everyone considers Novak to be very reliable.

[Smartaleck]

"Squelching of debate is always a cause for concern."

If Bush loses because of it, the debate will be about why he lost. The debate will be how life can be protected under and Kerry Adminsistration!

[CA Conservative]

I have heard rumors of a big fight, bigger than usual, by those who are opposed to the life plank. "Trimming down" the platform may be an attempt to head this debate off at the pass. But it is much better for the cause AND for Bush to have the plank in there.

Isn't it just as likely that the effort to give the delegates a completed platform is to head off any attempts to remove or water down the pro-life plank? Why do you insist on presuming the worst about a president who has repeatedly proven his dedication to the cause of life?

[firebrand]

I was alarmed when I first read Novak's column, because abortion v. life is the elephant in the living room and I had heard about stiff opposition coming this year at the platform debates.

Then it turned out the folks at the RNCLife had had the same concerns. I wouldn't have posted this if those steadfast champions of the unborn had not had the same reaction I did.

[Reagan Man]

For the last 25 years, the GOP party platform has shown both the principle and conviction of its members. The GOP is the pro-life party in America today. If the GOP platform no longer contains a pro-life plank, Republican leadership will be making a huge mistake. Such an action might not impact conservative voters this general election cycle, but next time around, conservatives will remember.

Abortion is one of the great issues of our time. It's a key issue for most Republicans and one that clearly defines and differentiates the GOP from the Democratic Party.

[firebrand]

pro-life ping

[Alcibiades]

This sounds like dissention in the ranks will not be permitted. I'm not sure if that's good for the party in the long term.

[Reagan Man]

Dissention? RIGHT!

What part of, "The GOP is the pro-life party in America today", don't you understand?

[prairiebreeze]

ping

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

But it is much better for the cause AND for Bush to have the plank in there.

I agree and support the pro-life stand 100%. I just worry about the overall implications of shutting down debate.

[firebrand]

Knowing the pro-aborts, it would be polite to call what they do debating. But in theory you are right. That's another side to it.

[Alcibiades]

Hey, I'm all for the pro-life plank being in the platform. What I meant was other issues like campaign-finance or the out of control gov't spending. They are suppressing all dissention on all issues.