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.

[nickcarraway]

ping

[MHGinTN]

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 democrat party has become the party of abortion, so the group in question have the proverbial 'snowballs chance' of being included int he already fractured, factioned party. To admit the group in question would be tantamoung to admitting the killing is contrary to issues of life, tantamount to admitting that the democrat party holds clearly duplicitous positions ... the unborn are not yet human beings thus they may be killed by a woman's choice--like removing a tumor; the unborn are due protection from killing because they are human beings.

[roderick]

"It seems to me like this is a fringe group desperately in search of a little publicity here," the strategist said.

Fringe? Poll after poll shows a slight pro-life tilt in general and +70% opposition to partial birth infanticide. I hope the 'rat leadership continues their elite, absolutist views, it's a sure loser in the presidential election.

[nickcarraway]

Leader of the Democrat Party

[Desdemona]

THey just don't get it.

[MHGinTN]

Kate has a dead look, doesn't she? Ghoulish, simply ghoulish.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

"I think that the Democratic Party is the party of inclusion, according to their mission statement - the big tent party,"

No, that's the other party.

[Slyfox]

The democratic party has a litmus test?

I am shocked, I tell ya, shocked.

[firewalk]

Thanks for the ping

[Mr. Silverback]

"It seems to me like this is a fringe group desperately in search of a little publicity here," the strategist said.

Well, a pro-life group would have to be on the fringe of the party of partial-birth abortion. But they're not on the fringe of the American electorate, as you Dem strategists will find out in the next few years.

[Mr. Silverback]

2n ProLife Ping!

If anyone wants on or off my ProLife Ping List, please notify me here or by freepmail.

[Mr. Silverback]

I noticed the end of the url for that photo is "sp_image_katewelcome.jpg". She sure doesn't look welcoming does she? If that's the look she has for her supporters, what kind of expression would she have if she ran into me?

[MHGinTN]

Chuckie Schumer thinks that if he is first to use the term 'litmus test' to describe a nominee to the judiciary (as in 'the republicans use a litmus test on abortion to decide whom to put forward), then he is immune to accusation that he is applying his pro-Roe litmus test tot he nominee. It is the crimnal enterprise democrats that use a litmust test ... look at the moderate positions of Souter and Breyer, bit Republican administration nominees (if memory serves), as well as others!

[ConservativeMan55]

Chuckie Shumer goes to church with Julian Phillips and Julian dares to call himself an objective journalist.

[F.J. Mitchell]

If the DemonRATS party were honest, their symbol would not be that jackass, (Even though it perfectly symbolizes their bone headed stupidity and stubbornness) their symbol would be a dismembered, aborted human baby. Their favorite agenda is defending the right of sexually irresponsible adults, to murder the innocent ones that their sex acts create.

Democrat politicians are in lock step on philabustering Judges appointed by Bush for only one reason-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. The Dims oppose them just as they opposed Judge Bork-THey fail the DemonRATS litmus test for Judges. To please the Rats, a judge must not judge, but instead enable the Rodents murderous agenda.

Why Pro lifers would vote for DemonRATS, only God knows-or maybe he is waiting to hear their explanation too.

[goldstategop]

There are pro-life liberals just there are pro RKBA liberals. You should be able to be a good liberal and still believe in positions that any person who champions human rights for all and who believes in freedom can embrace. The problem is the collectivists who run today's Democratic Party reject both. The leaders of the party are not so much liberals as they are Stalinists. If you don't agree with the party line 100% as its articulated by them, you aren't a Democrat, period. And they wonder why the party keeps on losing ground. Some big tent party, that they can't accept differences of opinion among their members.

[Kuksool]

So much for the RATS dedication to "diversity."

[nickcarraway]

Schumer goes to church?

[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.

[GoLightly]

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.

You're right & I wasn't thinking when I voted. Thank you for reminding me. I wanna change my vote.

I'm basically pro-life, but having gone through a miscarriage in a Catholic hospital, I can not bring myself to say no to all abortions.

You cite rape as a reason for an abortion, but you begin to tread on a slippery slope yourself there, considering the percentage of rapes that go un-reported or on the other side of the equation, false charges of rape.

[Criminal Number 18F]

There's a dead look in Kate Michelman's eyes for a reason.

You get that way when there'e a lien on your soul.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[votelife]

A recent letter I wrote to W.

Dear President Bush, With the Surpeme Court session getting ready to close, it may well be time for perhaps the most important domestic decision of your presidency: the appointment of a Supreme Court Justice(s). The main reason why I supported you in 2000 and why I wanted Daschle out of power in 02 (and 04) has to do with the courts. I want America courts to interpret law, not write law. During your presidential campaign you said Thomas and Scalia were your two model justices. Those are excellent models. The High Court needs more like them. Clarence Thomas recently said to students that the tough cases were when what he wanted to do was different from what the law said. And he goes by the law. This should be a model philosophy for our justices. Your father, President Bush lost his reelection campaign for 3 main reasosn, as far as I can see. 1. he broke the no new taxes pledge 2. David Souter 3. Clinton convinced people we were in a Bush recession (which we had already come out of by the time Clinton was getting sworn in)

I urge you to learn from all three of these: 1. on taxes, you're doing great. Awesome job on the tax cut. 2. good job so far on judicial appointments. I want to see more of a fight for Estrada, Owen, and Pickering, but I commend you on your nominations. 3. by staying engaged in the economic debate you'll serve yourself well

I have been thoroughly impressed with your handling of al Queida, Iraq, and terrorism. You have inspired confidence and have shown great leadership.

But I want to remind you that your Supreme Court pick(s) will be with us LONG after you have departed office. I urge you to avoid the tempation to find a "compromise" pick. Go for a Scalia or Thomas. Don't go for an O'Connor or Kennedy. To be specific, get someone who is pro-life. Roe v Wade is one of the worst court decisions I know of, and it's the perfect example of unrestrained judicial power.

I know the temptation will be tremendous on you to nominate a moderate. But remember who your true supporters are. I am not a important leader or politician. I am "simply" a citizen who has been an enthusiatic supporter of you. I am willing to accept compromise in many areas of government but I will watch your Court nomiantions extremely closely. What the Senate Dems are doing right now is disgusting, but as the President you have the bully pulpit to stop it. Democrats will back down if you turn up serious heat on them.

Moreover, I think public opinion is shifting towards the pro-life position. Dems will want you to nominate a moderate, but almost all will vote against you anyways. Pro-choice Repubs will likely still vote for you if you nominate a Scalia, after all, you campaigned on it. So Mr. President, I urge you to stick with your campaign statements and nominate justices who believe in judicial restraint, like Scalia and Thomas.

Happy Memorial Day and may God bless you and your family.

[votelife]

Freepers, rather than waiting to see what happens with Estrada, we need to take the lead. That means presuring Senators, special interest groups, media organizations, etc. This thread is meant to be an ongoing effort to get this man confirmed. For too many years liberals have had their way on the courts. Now, President Bush is in a position to move the courts to the right. The election of '02 showed that the country is with the President. I think it's time to let Daschle, Hillary, and Pelosi know this is Bush country. Are you with me! Let's FREEP these people.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/847037/posts