Free Republic

Mitt Romney was firm and direct with the abortion rights advocates sitting in his office nine years ago, assuring the group that if elected Massachusetts governor, he would protect the state’s abortion laws. Then, as the meeting drew to a close, the businessman offered an intriguing suggestion — that he would rise to national prominence in the Republican Party as a victor in a liberal state and could use his influence to soften the GOP’s hard-line opposition to abortion. He would be a “good voice in the party” for their cause, and his moderation on the issue would be “widely...

Judas and Matthias Pope Benedict XVI The betrayer and his replacement teach us many life lessons, including to make sure that our own witness as followers of Jesus is clear and spotless At the General Audience on Wednesday, 18 October, the Holy Father continued to reflect on the Church's Apostolic Ministry for those gathered in St. Peter's Square by speaking of the Apostles Judas Iscariot and Matthias. The following is a translation of his Catechesis in Italian.Dear Brothers and Sisters,Today, concluding our walk through the portrait gallery of the Apostles called directly by Jesus during his earthly life, we...

GOP nominee endorses Democrat after stepping aside under pressure from right By Tony Romm - 11/01/09 03:28 PM ET The Republican in a New York House race that has become a symbol of the divisions within the GOP endorsed her former Democratic rival Sunday, a sharp snub to the third-party conservative who forced her out of the race. Dede Scozzafava, who'd been chosen by local Republican leaders to try to hold the seat for the GOP, instead threw her support behind Democrat Bill Owens -- only a day after she unexpectedly backed out of the tough, three-way special election.

..."I am supporting Bill Owens for Congress and urge you to do the same," she said. "In Bill Owens, I see a sense of duty and integrity that will guide him beyond political partisanship. He will be an independent voice devoted to doing what is right for New York. Bill understands this district and its people, and when he represents us in Congress he will put our interests first."...

The coming economic crisis. Unemployment. Health care for the poor. The almost 1,500 dead soldiers. The almost 100,000 dead Iraqis. Armstrong Williams and Maggie Gallagher. The Christian Conservative takeover of our nation. The missing 9 billion. The missing weapons of mass destruction. The impending invasion of Iran, and Syria. The total failure to protect us on 9-11.

US Democratic Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, who had hoped to replace George W. Bush as president yesterday, instead sat in the cold and clapped as the Republican began a second four-year term. Iowa Democratic Senator Tom Harkin patted Senator Kerry on the back shortly before the inauguration Senator Kerry had hoped would be his. As Mr Bush delivered his inaugural address, Senator Kerry, about 10m away on the steps of the US Capitol, joined other lawmakers and the crowd in repeated applause. Senator Kerry looked relaxed, at times wistful. He frequently smiled, able to hide any disappointment over what...

New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) has long been rumored as desperately seeking the democratic nomination for president in 2008. And while many political observers fully expect the power hungry former First Lady to hit the campaign trail within only a few months of being re-elected as a US Senator in 2006, US News & World report claims to have a confirmation of sorts. From USNews.Com's Washington Whispers: Hillary's in… You don't have to take it from us about Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton 's desire to run for president. Her brothers, Hugh and Tony Rodham, say it's true. Friends...

War is all about oil The Constitution is the basis for all laws in our country. The president must take a constitutional oath: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." The president has declared that he’ll use our armed forces to attack Iraq. This would involve many thousands of soldiers and would mean war by any definition. Regarding the powers invested in Congress, the Constitution says, "To declare War, grant Letters of...

Woods may switch from GOP to DemsHe's co-chairman of Salmon's campaign for governor By Chip ScutariThe Arizona Republic Oct. 25, 2002 Grant Woods, one of Arizona's most popular Republicans and co-chairman of Matt Salmon's gubernatorial campaign, is considering jumping to the Democratic Party after the Nov. 5 election. The defection of the former state attorney general would be a coup for Arizona Democrats, who have been courting moderates. Chairman Jim Pederson said he'd be thrilled to have Woods join the party. "He's a thoughtful, articulate person," said Pederson. Republican Party Chairman Bob Fannin didn't want to comment. Woods said he...