The small infection grows to a head, more I-toldja-so's
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WASHINGTON - Two and a half years after Terri Schiavo became a celebrated cause among Republican leaders, the party's leading presidential candidates have expressed opposition to the way Congress intervened in the case, a sharp departure from past Republican strategy.
The break was highlighted this week when former US senator Fred Thompson joined three other leading Republican candidates in opposing Congress' effort in 2005 to allow the Schiavos to take their daughter's life support case to federal court. Thompson added an emotional element, saying he was part of a family decision about the fate of his daughter, Betsy Panici, who died at a Nashville hospital after being unconscious for six days following an apparent drug overdose.
The stand by the presidential candidates has proved disheartening to Schiavo's family, which fought to keep the comatose woman on life support. Schiavo's brother, Bobby Schindler, said he believes Republican candidates don't understand his sister's case. In a telephone interview, he said he will write this week to each candidate.
"I want to personally talk with them about Terri's case," he said. "They need to be fully informed. There obviously exists a lot of confusion about my sister's situation."............................................
Candidates rap Congress on Schiavo
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