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“It is possible to be pro-life and not be a political conservative.”

So, I have to ask - would you automatically vote for Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey, a staunch, pro-lifer who is otherwise leftist to moderate on many other issues of great import to most conservatives over a more hard-line conservative who wasn’t as strongly pro-life as Smith?

Before answering, here are some of Smith’s (most recent I could find) ratings:

“F” from Citizens for Tax Justice (career)
“D+” National Rifle Association (2006)
42% National Taxpayers Union rating (2005)
92% Family Research Council (2005) Dobson’s group.
73% Public Interest Research Group (2006) founded by Nader
43% American Land Rights Assn. (2006)
60% American Conservative Union (2005)
71% National Organization for Women (2005)
75% National Education Association (2005)
100% Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) (2005)

Further, according to Wikipedia, Smith voted with the Dems on 5 of the 6 bills proposed during Pelosi’s 100 Hour Plan. The only bill he voted against concerned embryonic stem cell research/funding.

Again, Smith is perfect on abortion - but on most other issues he is liberal to moderate. Would you vote for him over a harder-line conservative who was not perfect on the abortion issue? I would. In a minute.

For the record, I am not supporting Rudy, which is what some will think as a result of this post. I am supporting Fred Thompson, should he enter the race - and Duncan Hunter if Fred opts to not enter. Further, I am overjoyed at the Supreme Court ruling banning PBA and I think Roe should be overturned.