Life of the Party

Who Does He Think He's Foolin'?

2008-08-18T23:13:22-07:00

Scroll down for updates.

From Rich Lowry at The Corner:

NR has learned that the McCain campaign has been calling key state GOP officials around the country the last couple of days and sounding them out about the consequences of a pro-choice VP pick. The campaign is asking about the reaction of conservative grass-roots activists to such a pick and whether a pro-choicer can be sold to them. This is an indication that the McCain campaign is serious about the possibility of a pro-choice VP nominee and that McCain leaving the door open to Tom Ridge last week may not have been merely a friendly nod to a longtime supporter. In this scenario, McCain's emphatic pro-life statements Saturday night and his pledge that he'll run a "pro-life administration" would have been partly an attempt to reassure conservatives in the event of a pro-choice pick. Here is NR's take today on why going with a pro-choicer would be a mistake for McCain.

H/T: Save the GOP

Let's see. Here's a sampling since he first floated the idea:

A Catholic guy from swing state Ohio and his blogging friends.

Michelle Malkin

Phyllis Schlafly

Free Republic

Creative Minority Report

Regular Guy, Paul

Feddie at Southern Appeal, and founder of Catholics Against Rudy, where that "Mission Accomplished" Sign really bugs me.

And finally, someone who gets the whole picture and doesn't have such a short memory. It's worth quoting:

Maybe if McCain had not been pushed on us in the first place, and maybe if pro-lifers had not been urged to support McCain in the primaries, we would not be in this situation.

Compare -- "John McCain's character, courage, record, and life experience make him the best candidate of either party to meet today's challenges . . . Senator John McCain has a long-standing pro-life record. What’s more, he has the ability to secure the Republican nomination and to prevail against any Democrat nominee, each of which is strongly pro-abortion . . . Here is the way we thought about our decision. It was made at the intersection of three issues: defense of the unborn, defense of our nation from the Islamic terrorists, and electability. When these issues are taken into consideration together, we believe there is no candidate who is better than John McCain. We urge all pro-lifers to consider John McCain in precisely this way."
--Two Catholic Pro-Life Advocates Endorse John McCain's GOP Presidential Bid

With -- "Right now McCain is skating on the thinnest of ice. At best, the election is tied. In many polls, he is 4-5 points down. He has yet to crack 45 percent in any national poll and is behind in key states. At worst, he is facing a blowout. Now is not the time to pussyfoot around with a guy like Tom Ridge. . . . McCain is already suspect among social conservatives. And picking a pro-choicer will have the further effect of cooling whatever ardor he has been able to gin up among them mostly because of the fear of Obama. Social conservatives are largely not for McCain, they are against Obama. A lack of enthusiasm among McCain supporters could spell disaster for him come Election Day. . . . At the moment, McCain can expect at least tepid support among faithful Catholics, those who go to Mass at least once a week and who support the teachings of the Church on core issues like abortion. He needs this group to win the election. He is putting them in an untenable position if he decides to pick Ridge . . ."
--Defeat and Disaster if McCain Picks a Pro-Choice Catholic

We are in the situation that the second writer describes largely because of what the first writer and others like him were enthusiastically saying about McCain in the primaries, even though most other pro-lifers were very suspicious of McCain.

But guess what, the second writer and first writer are the exact same person.

This annoys me to no end. If John "most electable" McCain had not been kept afloat by such endorsements when his campaign was floundering, we might have a different nominee. A better nominee. A truly authentic and enthusiastically pro-life nominee, and not merely some guy who has happened to cast a few Senate votes on the pro-life side.

UPDATE: Could it be McCain-Giuliani?!?!?! I wouldn't put it past him, would you? Some believe, this might be the campaign floating his name out there to make the real veep choice seem more palatable to pro-lifers. That's possible. On the other hand, the campaign has already hired Rudy's staffer as the unnamed veep's communication director.

Primary Endorsements

2008-08-18T21:39:00-07:00

The following candidates have the endorsement of Life of the Party because they have demonstrated a committment to protecting all innocent human life, in all stages, without exceptions:

(You will notice that there are no endorsements for statewide offices here. Partly because A) this is the "Life of the Party" as in Republican Party, therefore only Republican endorsements can be found here, and B) the Republicans running for statewide office are either pro-abortion-choice or mixed-abortion choice.)

U.S. House of Representatives

3rd Congressional District-Michael Delavar

5th Congressional District-Kurt Erickson

7th Congressional District-Steve Beren

State Legislature

1st LD Senate-Dennis Richter

2nd LD Pos. 1-Jim McCune

2nd LD Pos. -Tom Campbell

2nd LD Senate-Kelly Mainard

3rd LD Pos. 1-Laura Carder

3rd LD Pos. 2-Michael Novak

4th LD Pos. 1-Larry Crouse

4th LD Pos. 2-Matt Shea

6th LD Pos. 1-Kevin Parker

6th LD Pos. 2-John Ahern

8th LD Pos. 1-Brad Klippert

8th LD Pos. 2-Larry Haler

11th LD Pos. 2-John Potter

12th LD Pos. 1-Cary Condotta

13th LD Pos. 1-Judy Warnick

13th LD Pos. 2-Bill Hinkle

17th LD Pos. 1-Joseph James

17th LD Pos. 2-Micheline Doan

17th LD Senate Don Benton

18th LD Pos. 1-Jaime Herrera

18th LD Pos. 2-Ed Orcutt

18th LD Senate-Joseph Zarelli

20th LD Senate-Dan Swecker

21st LD Pos.-1 Brian Travis

21st LD Pos. 2-Andrew Funk

22nd LD Pos. 2-Don Crawford

23rd LD Pos.-1 Larry Cooney

23rd LD Senate-Connie Lord

25th LD Pos. 2-Caleb Heimlich

25th LD Senate-Michelle Smith

26th LD Pos. 1Marlyn Jensen

28th LD Pos. 2-David Dooley

28th LD Senate-Mike Carrell

29th LD Pos. 1-Steven Cook

29th LD Pos. 2-Terry Harder

31st LD Pos. 1-Dan Roach

31st LD Pos. 2-Sharon Hanek

35th LD Pos. 1-Brad Gehring

35th LD Pos. 2-Herb Baze

39th LD Pos. 1-Dan Kristiansen

39th LD Pos. 2-Kirk Pearson

39th LD Senate-Val Stevens

40th LD Senate-Steve Van Luven

41st LD Senate-Bob Baker

42nd LD Pos. 2-Jere Hawn

43rd LD Pos. 2-Kim Verde

44th LD Pos. 1-Larry Countryman

46th LD Pos. 1-Keith Ljunghammer

47th LD Pos. 1-Mark Hargrove, MD

47th LD Pos. 2-Timothy Miller

49th LD Pos. 1-Debbie Peterson

Abortion Friendly Republican Candidates on Primary Ballot

2008-08-18T17:05:59-07:00

Statewide Races

Sam Reed-Secretary of State (Incumbent). See here.

Rob McKenna-Attorney General (Incumbent). See here and here.

Doug Sutherland-Commisioner of Public Lands (Incumbent). See here. Sutherland also has a sexual harassment scandal hanging over his head (see here and here), and many who've worked closely with him aren't surprised.

State Legislature

Steve Litzow 41st District. See here.

____________________________________

And so you won't be deceived by Republicans who have endorsed these non-partisan candidates for Superintendent of Public Instruction:

Terry Bergeson and Randy Dorn are both endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice Washington.

An Invitation to "The LIFE of Party" Party

2008-08-04T11:34:29-07:00

Please join Phyllis Schlafly
and
The Republican National Coalition for Life
at the
2008 Republican National Convention
for

A cocktail reception
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Crowne Plaza Hotel
11 East Kellogg Boulevard
St. Paul, Minnesota
Honoring
The Honorable Sarah Palin
Governor of Alaska

Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska is a pro-life, pro-family, conservative star with the talent, energy, and family support necessary to carry out common sense policies to benefit her State and the nation as a whole. She has been described as the most popular Governor in America.

Governor Palin is married to her high-school sweetheart Todd Palin. They are the parents of five children, Track, 18, who is currently serving in the United States Army; Bristol, 17; Willow, 13; Piper, 6; and Trig, 4 months. When Trig, who was diagnosed in-utero with Down Syndrome, was born in April, Governor Palin said in a statement,

"Trig is beautiful and already adored by us." "We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives." "We have faith that every baby is created for good purpose and has potential to make this world a better place. We are truly blessed."

Governor Palin is a former mayor and beauty queen. Today she is a devoted wife and mother who puts life first, and she is a political figure who not only talks-the-talk, but walks-the-walk.
Deadline for reservations is August 26, 2008
Make your reservation today!
For more information contact:

Minnesota: 1-651-464-3577 RNC for Life phone: 1-800-726-8096 info@rnclife.org

Phyllis Schlafly Report: Do Party Platforms Really Matter?

2008-08-04T11:20:28-07:00

This week's Phyllis Schlafly Report is a must read for every Republican, conservative and pro-lifer. It's packed with the history of the Republican Party and its platform battles, defining and redefining the party. It includes:

Munich in Manhattan
Turning the Party Right
Correcting a Platform Mistake
Defining Conservatism in Dallas
Defending the Pro-Life Plank
The Platform W. Ran On
The Non-Grassroots Platform
Looking to the Future
Key Issues for Grassroots Conservatives

In light of this report, it would really be something to examine why the Republican Party chose to solicit input from every Tom, Dick, or Harry; Republican or Democrat, on the internet through their online Republican Platform Committee website, promising that, "All comments and feedback will be reviewed and taken into full consideration as we prepare for our convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul." If national delegates were elected fairly, and then each of the states' platform committee members were elected by their delegates, there would be no need for this sort of thing to make it appear that "this will be the most grassroots driven platform in the history of the Republican Party." There already is a method in place for ensuring grassroots Republican input if the state parties would follow the rules.

NARAL WA Endorses Assisted Suicide

2008-08-02T21:49:13-07:00

What a surprise! The freedom to kill, from cradle to grave.

What About Judicial Candidates?

2008-08-02T13:44:05-07:00

If you live in Washington State, where we elect our judges, you might have found it frustrating, how very little information is available about the judicial candidates. And if you attend any political meetings or forums, where judicial candidates are given an opportunity to campaign, you have probably found it even more frustrating, that when you ask a judicial candidate a question about his perspective on an issue, you are told he can't answer that question. This is an exaggerated statement used to dodge your questions.

Dean Isaacson, former Snohomish Co. Republican Party chairman, author of Judicial Forum, and my fellow contributor to The Reagan Wing under the name "cominus", has offered some background on what you can ask and what they can answer. Make sure you know this if you anticipate having the opportunity to talk to a judicial candidate. But since time is running out for the primary election where many of these races will be decided, you can take a look at Dean's evaluation of all of the judicial candidates in WA state. I found it to be a valuable resource.

Words of Wisdom for Dino

2008-07-30T11:57:37-07:00

In response to my plea last week, the Tell Dino website has had comments pooring in from readers here who believe that Dino ought to take a more clear and forthright stand against abortion. Most of them are citizens of Washington State, but Dino also heard from Catherine Marshall the wife of Bob Marshall, a Virginia State Senator who has sucessfully campaigned as a 100% pro-lifer, and who launched an impressive campaign earlier this year against two big names, and came within a hair of defeating a former Republican Governor for the nomination to defeat the Democrat incumbent, without the help of the party machine:

My husband is a state legislator from Northern Virginia who has won 9 elections in a district that has nearly doubled in size since he was first elected in 1991. He is unabashedly 100% pro-life, including against abortion in cases of life, rape and incest. After each election he gets letters from voters who disagree with him on abortion, but who vote for him for other reasons such as integrity, working for his constituents, etc. The Republican "experts" who suggest pro-life candidates cannot win if they express their pro-life views, fail to recognize that those who want to keep abortion legal are not single issue voters as are pro-life voters. Further, pro-lifers are super dedicated campaigners who work day and night for candidates who shares their beliefs. This fact was again proven by my husband's recent close race (lost by .63% -- less than 1%) for the US Senate nomination in a state-wide Convention against a former Govenor, Attorney General and Republican National Chairman. My husband was also outspent 11-1 and had months less to campaign due to his duties in the General Assembly!

I urge you to be firm about your pro-life commitment that "all men are CREATED (not born) equal" and endowed by their Creator with "life." Take the side of the woman in crisis - she deserves better than abortion which leaves the man scott free and the woman with a lifetime of regrets. Ask how anyone in their right mind could condone partial birth infanticide/abortion? Stand up, and voters will stand for you!

Imagine what Dino could do with the help of the party machine if he were to take a stand like Bob Marshall! He already has their help. The GOP would have a PR disaster on their hands if they were to begin withdrawing support once Dino started taking a strong stand against abortion. And like Mrs. Marshall says, even folks who disagree with him on abortion, will support him anyway (so long as it's not their only issue), because of his integrity and committment to representing them.

By the way, it's not too late for you to tell Dino what you think.

We Need This Man In Congress

2008-07-30T00:17:15-07:00

Have you heard anyone make it more clear, or present the legislative solution in this way? Go to Michael's website and find out more.

Help Me Help Dino

2008-07-23T14:47:36-07:00

Yesterday, I posted a link to the recent interview that Dino did with King 5's Allen Schauffler and Seattle Times chief political reporter David Postman. In that interview, Postman cornered Dino on the abortion issue and the "Plan B" issue (the right of pharmacists to object to dispensing drugs that violate their conscience). Postman framed his question by pointing out that these are issues Dino doesn't like to talk about and asked, "aren't the voters...entitled to ask...these questions...and entitled to know where you stand?" Unfortunately, Dino continued to dodge, and would only give his personal moral conviction as a devout Roman Catholic, but insisted that his job as Governor wouldn't have much to do with this issue. It would be "out of his control," he said.

Dino is obviously taking the advice of the Republican "experts" who say that the pro-life issue is a loser. "In order to win," their logic goes, "you must avoid divisive issues like abortion." Keep in mind, that this advice comes from corners where pro-abortion Republicans dwell. Even further, in this interview, he basically assured Postman and all who were watching that he would not be dealing with this issue as Governor. In other words, he'll be "no threat to abortion 'rights'."

Let's assume (for the moment) that all the rumors are true about Dino, and that he is sincerely and wholeheartedly pro-life. Sources who are very close to him and his family say so, and as Postman points out, though "it's not very clear now," "we know what (his position) used to be." Let's also take him at his word, as he also said in this interview, that he and his wife are devout Roman Catholics and believe that "every soul has value." Does he really intend not to address the issue? If so, what is our purpose in electing a "personally pro-life" Governor if our goal is to end abortion and he doesn't intend to do anything about abortion? Will he be silent when the issue is forced on him? Or is he merely just saying what he needs to say in order to get elected, and then, once he is elected, he'll be an advocate for pre-born children? Let's ask ourselves, "is either one of these really a good strategy?" If the latter is true, then won't he destroy all his credibility, by doing exactly the opposite of what he just assured the viewers of this interview? Do the ends justify the means?

We know that Dino won the election in 2004, and had it stolen from him. But that fiasco only happened because his winning margin was so small that it warranted a recount. That's when the Democrats seized their opportunity to play with the numbers, find extra ballots to count, etc. This could have been avoided if his winning margin was high enough to leave no question and avoid the recount. What if Dino could win over more voters by actually talking about this issue and using the power of persuasion? He certainly has the gift of public speaking and even his popularity is a gift. Imagine if he could use these gifts for the purpose of doing what is right and advocating the right to life for all! He might persuade people! Perhaps there were even pro-life voters who didn't vote for him--perhaps they stayed home, because it wasn't clear enough what he would do. Could they have increased his margin?

We'll never know. But this year, it's a risk worth taking. He could just do the right thing, and let the chips fall where they may. It is my experience, and the experience of the history of mankind, that God blesses this kind of risk taking.

If you think it's a risk worth taking, then Tell Dino. He created a website for you to do just that. Leave your comment for him. Also, if you would be so kind, leave your comment here, and let me know that you did.

Also, indirectly, it's been said that Dino is pro-life "except for in the case of rape, incest and life of the mother." While you're at it, inform him of the inconsistency of that position. If the pre-born child is a person, there is no room for discrimination when it comes to protecting their right to life. These children are guilty of no crime. Also, with that loophole, legalized abortion will never end.

Message to Dino: Voters Want to Know Where You Stand

2008-07-22T01:22:19-07:00

Update: If you wish he would answer the questions, tell him so.

________________________________________________________________

Not just on the issues you want to talk about. We really do want to know where you stand on abortion and on the right of conscience for pharmacists, and what you'll do about it as Governor. We're entitled to answers. This is an election afterall.

Pro-lifers: check out the King 5 Up Front Extra: Candidate Rossi on Tough Issues video. Starting at about 3:56, David Postman to Dino, "Let's talk about the issues you don't want to talk about...like abortion...the pharmacy board."

Life of the Party Endorses Delavar for Congress

2008-07-21T16:52:00-07:00

Life of the Party is proud to endorse Michael Delavar, candidate for Congress in the 3rd Congressional District.

Michael is a principled candidate who is committed to upholding the U.S. Constitution and ending legalized abortion through the most sensible means of defining personhood as beginning at conception or "fertilization" in the law. This simple step would automatically place preborn children under the protection of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which states in part, "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

Not only does Michael hold true to the first of our founding principles, the Right to Life, but across the board, he examines every issue with the guiding light of the Constitution. At times, this puts him at odds with pro-life organizations and with his party. But it ought not be that way. His position on Life is solid, not discriminating towards babies conceived through rape or incest, and he only differs with pro-life organizations on some of their pragmatic legislative proposals, because a) they violate a particular constitutional principle or b) they further enshrine Roe vs. Wade into the law. With his party, he is at odds over the war, but his position is more in line with traditional Republican thought in the model of Robert Taft. Republicans who fancy themselves Goldwater or Reagan Republicans, would do well to go back and read the book A Choice Not an Echo by Phyllis Schlafly, which helped to propel the candicacy and presidential primary victory of Goldwater, and ultimately paved the way for the Reagan Revolution. Shlafly's book exposes the backroom manipulation by big government figures in past Republican primaries, to ensure that no conservative got nominated within the party. The primary issues were opposing big government, including the New Deal domestic policies and foreign interventionism, both of which benefited the fat cat power brokers who were manipulating public opinion through their media and corporate connections. Robert Taft was considered a model conservative in this landmark book.

This brings us to Michael's primary challenge, which will be covered here soon. For now, please visit Michael's website and donate or get involved to help this principled, pro-life, constitutional, freedom loving candidate for Congress!

Local Pro-Life Powerhouse Celebrates Third Year of Publishing

2008-07-21T00:23:29-07:00

Congratulations to Mary and Jonathan at Abortion in Washington! They have some amazing accomplishments in their three short years as highlighted in their celebration post, including some incredible admissions by Planned Parenthood and NARAL officials, as well as a look at their shady finances. Aside from their groundbreaking investigative reporting on the abortion industry, the profound commentary offered by Mary E., is worth reading, even a second time around. Two of my favorite posts are: Liberty Line and Death and Taxes. Both are refllections on her visits to Planned Parenthood, where we spent many hours together in last year's local 40 Days for Life Campaign (of which, by the way, will be launching its third nationally coordinated campaign within a 12 month period).

If you don't already have Abortion in Washington blog bookmarked, you should. There's sure to be more astounding news as they uncover the truth about the abortion industry in Washington, and provide profound insights into the dignity of life and of women, the privelaged bearers of life. It's a pleasure to have such an ally working in the trenches to restore the Right to Life in Washington State and across America!

Local Pro-Life Conference--Mark Your Calendar

2008-07-19T14:26:47-07:00

Healing the Culture: A New Vision for Life

2008 Pro-Life Conference and Expo, November 6-8
Hilton Bellevue • Seattle, Washington

Mark your calendar for the pro-life event of the year! Join Father Robert Spitzer, Camille De Blasi Pauley, and other nationally acclaimed speakers and guest celebrities at the 2008 Healing the Culture Conference in beautiful Seattle, Washington.

Hailed in 2006 (Vancouver, British Columbia) as "one of the most important and useful pro-life conferences," Healing the Culture is bringing our power-packed, 2-day national conference to the world-class Hilton Bellevue Conference Center, near Seattle.

This important event will include:

Cutting-edge pro-life training and education,
Nationally acclaimed speakers and guest celebrities,
Generous time for networking and visiting the Exhibits Expo,
All meals and refreshments, including the Grand Ballroom Banquet,
Exquisite accommodations at the Hilton Bellevue.

Visit Healing the Culture for more information and to register now.

November 2008 Election Historic for Pro-Life Movement

2008-07-14T23:50:00-07:00

Because it's a presidential year? No. Because of a particular congressional race? Well, perhaps some of them might prove to be interesting, but not that either. Because voters in the state of Colorado, the first state to liberalize abortion laws before Roe vs. Wade, will be the first of any state to vote on defining "personhood" and when it begins. Why is that important? Watch this video and pay particularly close attention to the discussion between Justice Potter Stewart and Attorney Sarah Weddington who represented Roe in Roe vs. Wade.

Colorado for Equal Rights Personhood Amendment from Personhood USA on Vimeo.

I'm suddenly reminded of one of the "principles" (more like verbal gymnastics) of Mainstream Republicans of Washington:

We value life and seek to protect it - We should not attempt to legislate a definition of life.

Well, yes we should. How else will we know who is protected by the law? They know this is an attempt to sidestep the issue, their organization being full of lawyers and experienced politicians, several of them instrumental at liberalizing our own state's abortion laws pre-Roe.

Kudos to Kristi Burton, who is showing courageous leadership at such a very young age, and to all in Colorado who have worked to get the personhood amendment on the ballot. Many of us will be watching and praying for Colorado, and ready to follow in their footsteps. You have set the example for us all!