A Case for Bringing Back "Litmus Tests"

A failure of conservative Republicans to properly screen and vet Republican candidates has resulted in surprise and disillusion from the Republican base at the national level.  It led to the huge losses for Republicans in 2006, both nationally and in Washington State, and now it stands to kill what little standing our party has left in our state.  Out of the ashes, perhaps a reformed, more principled Republican Party will emerge. 

Rob McKenna, Republican State Attorney General, ran a very conservative sounding campaign with his conservative family image, and as a result, he was one of a very few Republicans to actually win his election.  He's married with four children.  I have been amazed at how many pro-life conservatives ASS-U-ME this means that he is pro-life and then never even bother to ask, or get snowed over when they do ask, and are answered with a dodge from our now Attorney General.  In 2004, when he was elected as our Attorney General, it never came out until after most Washington voters had mailed in their ballots, that he was pro-abortion-choice. 

Now, in a brilliant move by his Democrat opponent, Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg, has baited and caught McKenna as the pro-abort that he is, which should kill his favor among pro-life conservatives with short memories.  From the Seattle Times: 

Ladenburg also claimed McKenna is not in sync with Washington voters when it comes to abortion rights. "I believe in choice, and Rob is a believer in right to life," he said.

McKenna said Ladenburg is incorrect. "I am pro-choice, and I'm on the record as being pro-choice," he said.