Stupak, working with GOP, trying to sink Nelson's abortion compromise

Politico ^ | 12/19/09 1:51 PM EST | Ben Smith

[BP2]

An aide to Rep. Bart Stupak (D. Mich.) coordinated opposition to a Senate compromise on the place of abortion in health care legislation this morning with the Republican Senate leadership, the Conference Catholic Bishops, and other anti-abortion groups, according to a chain of frantic emails obtained this morning by POLITICO.

The emails show that Stupak — who has so far remained silent on language accepted by Senator Ben Nelson (D. Neb.) and faces intense pressure from the White House to accept it — is already working behind the scenes to oppose the compromise.

They also demonstrate a previously unseen degree of coordination between Stupak and the office of Republican leader Mitch McConnell.

Stupak is the leader of a group of pro-life Democrats who say they’ll oppose the sweeping legislation if it uses government money to pay for abortion, while McConnell is firmly committed to killing the legislation. The fact that the two have made common cause against the Senates health care compromise will likely further infuriate Stupak’s Democratic colleagues in the House, and demonstrates his willingness to stop any bill that doesn’t pass his test.

“Guys - when will we see your letters of opposition to the managers amendment?? We need them ASAP!” wrote Erika Smith, a Stupak aide, at 9:23 this morning, less than an hour after the amendment had become available.

The email’s recipients included key staffers for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, National Right to Life, the Family Research Council, as well as Autumn Fredericks Christensen, aide to a top pro-life Republican Joe Pitts, and Lanier Swann, a McConnell aide.

A minute after Smith sent out her plea, Lanier reiterated it to the list.

“Nelson is telling people in the building he will vote yes. If there was any time to weigh in against this deal —- THIS IS IT,” Swann wrote at 9:24 a.m.

As of early Saturday afternoon, the groups had not released statements on the compromise.

Stupak, too, has remained silent, and Stupak aides, including Smith, did not immediately respond to questions about the email chain.

The manager’s amendment, which emerged after hours of negotiations between Nelson and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, stops short of the total ban on health insurance plans that participate in a new exchange system offering abortion coverage. Instead, it includes a provision that allows states to prohibit abortion coverage in the exchanges.

The amendment also requires that health plans that provide abortion services separate, for accounting purposes, private premiums and federal funds, and ensure that the federal funds don't pay for abortion services, a maneuver derided in the past by anti-abortion groups as a shell game.

The compromise paved the way for a Senate vote on President Obamas top priority, but the frantic emails this morning suggest the House may remain an obstacle.

[Dionysius]

Can you put me in touch with a committed miltia group — and I don’t mean a bunch of overgrown boy scouts or nut jobs?

[AuH2ORepublican]

“If he votes no on Cloture then Health Care bill is dead it only takes one Democrat to vote with the Republicans!!! it is the cloture vote that matters!!!!!!!”

---

Stupak is a Representative, not a Senator.

[rintense]

Yeah, and NOW is right about men. You’re a moron.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

It was men who came up with abortion.

Men who made it legal.

Men who kept it legal.

Men who preformed abortions.

BTW the Islamic Arabs came up with a number of new ways of preforming abortions.

Perhaps the femisists are right about men after all....

[rintense]

Don't go there. Because if you do, you will find that men are just as guilty. Its a shame you've chosen to so generically and so recklessly blame all women this way. Your post reeks of misogyny.

Quite frankly, I'm surprised at you DO.

[rintense]

Oh, and let me add, it takes two to make a baby. Perhaps if men were a little more wise with their own habits, well, you know...

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Brytani, this little ode was written to the left.

No. It was not.

You addressed all women.

Here is a little something for you to chew on.

It was men who came up with abortion.

It was men who declared that it was their right to kill what was "theirs".

Men who preformed abortions.

Point a finger at someone and three more point back at you.

[EveningStar]

Jill, you were one of the best. Take care. :)

[SeattleBruce]

If he votes no on Cloture then Health Care bill is dead it only takes one Democrat to vote with the Republicans!!!
++++++++++++++++++

Stupak’s in the House, not the Senate.

[rahbert]

Take care JV you will be missed (or ought to be)..

[uglybiker]

I'm seeing comments like redstateconstipationals more and more often here.

Which is why you don't see me posting nearly as often as I used to.

[big'ol_freeper]

The only way to drive this demon out is through prayer...and many phone calls to congress kritters.

[sport]

I would go with prayer and forget about phone calls.

[SeattleBruce]

Maybe the Arabs are right about women after all......
+++++++++++++++

Say what?

[SeattleBruce]

Brytani, this little ode was written to the left.

If you’ll give this a moment’s thought, you’ll realize that they have fought this battle for ALL women. Therefore I have to address this in terms they can identify with.
++++++++++++++++++

Doughty - If you'll give your screed a moment's thought, you would have realized that FR is NOT made up of the audience you say this is for...so whose benefit was this for?

And what happened to your rant against liberal pro-abortion men?

[Jean S]

Wow, that was wonderful!

[Marty62]

Why don’t the Republicans get a huge amendment together that would forbid the bribes being handed out by Reid.

They might even get some Dum votes.
You know the ones that didn’t hold out.
They are getting screwed big time and they didn’t even get dinner.

[tallyhoe]

yea I just read that! I thought he was a Senator! My mistake!

[tallyhoe]

yea I just read that! I thought he was a Senator! My mistake!

[Marty62]

Wow, your list sounds like an evening at DU or Kos kids.