A Democratic Party?: Anti-abortion Group Seeks DNC Web Link

Roll Call ^ | June 2, 2003 | Josh Kurtz

[nickcarraway]

Washington, DC -- The Web site of the Democratic National Committee links Internet users to the sites of 279 political and advocacy organizations, labor unions, religious groups and government agencies.

The list, divided into 28 categories, includes everything from

the Willie Valasquez Institute to the Oneida Indian Nation to the

National Association of Social Workers.

But the DNC is resisting adding a 280th link.

For almost a year, an organization dedicated to electing

Democrats to national, state and local offices has been pressing

the national party to add its Web site to the DNC's list of

linkable sites. The problem is, the organization is dedicated to

electing Democrats who oppose abortion rights.

So far, the DNC, whose quadrennial platform in 2000 included a

plank affirming the party's support for a woman's right to have

an abortion, has refused to respond to the query by the group

known as Democrats for Life of America.

"The request is under review," is all DNC spokeswoman Deborah

DeShong will say.

But Democrats who buck the party orthodoxy on abortion are saying

plenty.

"I think that the Democratic Party is the party of inclusion,

according to their mission statement - the big tent party," said

Carol Crossed of Rochester, N.Y., president of Democrats for Life

of America. "We've always embraced a more expansive

interpretation of human rights. Surely we can embrace a diversity

of opinions on this issue."

The organization is now turning to high-powered allies for help.

In the past month, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) has written to DNC

Chairman Terry McAuliffe urging the party to add the Democrats

for Life link to its Web site. In addition, 17 House Democrats

wrote to McAuliffe defending the anti-abortion-rights group.

In their May 14 letter, the House Members said the DNC's refusal

to add the Web link amounted to "ostracism" of loyal Democrats

and contradicted the party's abortion plank in the 2000 platform,

which said in part, "We respect the individual conscience of each

American on this difficult issue."

"Actions speak louder than words," the 17 House lawmakers wrote.

But the DNC apparently does not know how to respond.

In this era of sharply divisive political discourse, abortion

rights groups have come to represent one of the Democratic

Party's strongest constituencies - and one of its best sources of

fundraising.

The DNC Web site offers links to seven organizations devoted to

the support of abortion rights, plus links to 48 women's groups,

most of whom are known to be defenders of abortion rights.

"We weren't asking them for a change of the platform," Crossed

said. "We were simply asking for an acknowledgment, a

recognition."

Inevitably, she likened the party's reluctance to include the Web

site link to the party's refusal to let then-Pennsylvania Gov.

Bob Casey (D) speak at the 1992 Democratic National Convention

about his opposition to abortion. The late former governor, who

went to work for anti-abortion-rights organizations after he left

office in 1994, has become the patron saint of the anti-abortion

wing of the party.

"I love the Democratic Party, but to be quite honest, I was

embarrassed about what happened to Bob Casey," Crossed said.

She argued that the Democrats may have lost Senate races in

Missouri, Georgia and Minnesota in 2002 because of the party's

absolutist position on abortion, which, she said, turned off

swing voters who might otherwise have been receptive to the

party's positions on other issues.

But a national Democratic strategist with close ties to women's

organizations called that thesis - and the anti-abortion group's

push for a Web link - "a teapot looking for a tempest."

"It seems to me like this is a fringe group desperately in search

of a little publicity here," the strategist said.

[sweetliberty]

"that's the other party."

One practices it. The other merely preaches it.

[sweetliberty]

I suspect we haven't seen anything yet with respect to RAT obstruction of judicial nominees. Just wait till the president tries to fill vacancies on the supreme court with qualified, conservative candidates. Of course, a little fantasy of mine is that the RATs will look so bad by that point for the stunts they've already pulled that furthur obstruction would be political suicide, clearing the way for the president to appoint those SAME individuals that they have so adamantly and unfairly opposed, to the USSC. The anguish that would cause the senate RATs would indeed be a pleasure to behold.

[nickcarraway]

There's a dead look in Kate Michelman's eyes for a reason. She aborted a daughter after her husband abandoned her and their three daughters. She got approval to abort from a panel- and her husband-in those pre-Roe days. So now she fights to give women the ``right'' to do, what she was forced to do by her lowlife (now ex) husband. It's easier for her to engage in this public battle than to face private sorrows. Hopefully, one day she will, and she will see she isn't helping other women. Too many women look to abortion as a way to solve a problem, and socially aren't allowed to admit the problem was made worse by abortion. Michelman herself even told a reporter in 1994, "We think abortion is a bad thing. No woman wants to have an abortion."

[BillyBoy]

>> "I love the Democratic Party, but to be quite honest, I was embarrassed about what happened to Bob Casey," Crossed said. She argued that the Democrats may have lost Senate races in Missouri, Georgia and Minnesota in 2002 because of the party's absolutist position on abortion, which, she said, turned off swing voters who might otherwise have been receptive to the party's positions on other issues. <<

But...but...the RINOs have "explained" to us that the soccer mommies in the midwest and south LOVE an abosolutist "choice" position and the eeeeeeevil pro-life politicians SCARE them. Perhaps they can explain why EVERY local Democrat elected in my region (southwest Chicago burbs) is pro-life. Hmmm.

[ConservativeMan55]

Apparently goes to church and sings in the choir with Julian Phillips.

[nickcarraway]

What happened to his Judaism?

[ConservativeMan55]

I guess it wasn't popular anymore so he stopped doing it.

[Mr. Silverback]

Concur.

[WarSlut]

You cannot be for the murder of an innocent child and be conservative.

Dittos.

[Cindy]

Well, just as a matter of curiosity, let's look at the dnc.org's list of links:
http://www.democrats.org/links/

and now, let's visit the home page to see what articles/commentaries are on the front page:
http://www.dnc.org

Hmmm... no surprise here.

[Steve Eisenberg]

The slugs are convinced that Bush's appointees, would properly decide against Roe vs Wade and in favor of equal rights for all, under the law, as clearly set forth in the Constitution of the USA.

And they are wrong about what Bush's appointees would do.

[codercpc]

Take a look at the Roe V Wade poll on the main page, 15% of Freepers are pro-abortion. That is coming from a Conservative webpage

I don't think that the question asked, "Should Roe V. Wade, be overturned?" and a 14% no answer, necessarily means that those 14% are pro-choice. I think it may be more of a political reality that Roe V. Wade will never be completely overturned. I hope that it does, but I also see that it would be political suicide today for any Politician to come flat out (with no exceptions) for an overturn of this decision.

I think if Jim Robinson asked a different question "Are you pro-life?" the no #s would be less than 14%.

I am personally 100% pro-life, (excepting the miniscule amount of abortions done for the life of the mother). Rape and incest are two more exceptions that others may have.

I think that the majority of Americans do not realize that if Roe V Wade is overturned, it does not mean that abortions will all of a sudden become illegal. All it means is that it will go back to the States.

My point being is that I don't think that one survey, with the question being "Should Roe V Wade be overturned?" gives an accurate picture of "Are you Pro-life?"

[syriacus]

I checked out the DNC "Links Page."

Funny...I checked under the headings "Disability" and "Health care", and I didn't find a link to this Group.

THE VALUE OF LIFE WITH A DISABILITY

Most of society sees people with disabilities as persons who are flawed, pitiful and without dignity. But we see ourselves as a vital and proud community, with values of our own that enhance our quality of life, values that could enhance life for all:

1) tolerance for others' differences (racial, intellectual, financial/class)
2) matter-of-fact orientation toward helping; acceptance of human interdepencence over rugged individualism
3) high tolerance for lack of resolution, living with unknowns or less-than-ideal outcomes
4) characteristic dark humor, laughing at the oppressor, finding humor in almost any aspect of life
5) highly developed skills at managing multiple problems, systems, and helpers
6) creativity, lack of rigidity, ability to use traditional elements in new ways to solve problems
7) sophisticated future orientation; planning around anticipated obstacles
8) abiltity to read others' attitudes; skill at filling in the gaps and sorting out contradictory messages

Don't Democrats think it's good for disabled people to unite for their cause?

[Dahlseide]

More dittos

Pro-lifers vote pro-life.

The axis of evil runs through the middle of the ... party, IMHO.

[wardaddy]

I was just watching FOX and saw an otherwise attractive spokesgal for NARAL or NOW arguing some aspects of the Peterson case and the dead baby....anyhow...she countered at one point that "she wanted every pregnancy to be a wanted guest in the woman's womb"

I had not heard that one before and she expressed that with all the earnestness one would expect form a young lefty.

The power of human rationalization cannot be overestimated.

[wardaddy]

There are a few....I saw a "Pro-Life Goddess" bumper sticker at Wild Oats once.

[WarSlut]

The power of human rationalization cannot be overestimated.

Evidence of that fact has been piling up lately.

[F.J. Mitchell]

"And they are wrong about what Bush's appointees would do."

And unfortunately you are probably right about that.

[F.J. Mitchell]

"There are pro-life liberals just as there are pro RKBA liberals."

I really have doubts about there being pro-life liberals, but I know there is a multitude of pro-life Democrats. I cannot understand though how such people can continue to support a party and vote for it's candidates whose most treasured agenda is protecting the right of irresponsible adults, to destroy any little human life, created by their irresponsible sex lives.

[F.J. Mitchell]

"Schumer goes to Church?"

Satan shows up every Sunday too.