Life of the Party

Brownback Leading Astray...And Now Betraying Pro-Lifers

First, it was endorsing McCain when there were still 3 pro-life candidates left in the race,  and then joining his campaign to co-chair his "Catholic Outreach" commmittee.  Now, he's ignoring the pleas of pro-lifers and endorsing the opponent of a pro-life hero in Kansas who is the acting District Attorney, the only DA in the country with a pending criminal case against a Planned Parenthood and according to Jill Stanek, " is likely the only DA in the country with the intestinal fortitude to stick with such an investigation."  Yet, Brownback is endorsing his opponent, Steve Howe, who refused to sign a petition to launch a grand jury investigation against Planned Parenthood in his own county, and has the support of several prominent pro-aborts in his state. Ms. Stanek asks:

Was Brownback enticed to support Howe for a promise of support in his gubernatorial bid by non-conservative Republicans?

Or perhaps he fears sharing the ticket with Kline in 2010?

Read the rest of her column, "Is Brownback Betraying Pro-Lifers?"

Last Chance to Save the GOP and Beat the Democrats

Calling all conservative Republicans!

Unhappy with a likely McCain nomination?

Discouraged that the guy you were backing (or the guy he was backing) has jumped on the McCain bandwagon? 

Tancredo endorsed Romney, now Romney is endorsing McCain.  Brownback endorsed McCain.  Thompson endorsed McCain.  Hunter endorsed Huckabee and Huckabee has no problem voting for McCain. 

His endorsers all want YOU to "fall in line", to "close ranks".

Should conservatives just throw in the towel?  Should we fall in line with a candidate who has the endorsement support and preference of Republicans for Choice, who is funded by George Soros, and who is the co-author and promoter of amnesty for illegal aliens? 

But isn't it a done deal?  Doesn't he already have the nomination sewn up? 

No.

He needs 1,191 delegates to vote for him at the national convention.  The delegate count right now is unclear, as the media calls states for McCain when the delegates haven't actually been chosen yet.  There is an overwhelming anti-McCain sentiment among the party faithful, and banded together, might be able to defeat the nomination of John McCain before or at the convention. 

Media darling McCain, has only gotten this far, because conservatives have been divided between the rest of the candidates in the previously crowded field.  Now that the field has narrowed, we need to unite the grassroots conservative movement, ala anti-Harriet Miers style, Catholics Against Rudy style.   

This ain't over. 

More on McCain and Republicans for Choice Endorsement

As reported here, Monday night, John McCain is the choice of "Republicans for Choice," a political action committee dedicated to removing the pro-life plank from the Republican platform and electing pro-abortion-choice Republicans. 

LifeSite picked it up today and got a few "choice" quotes from Ann Stone, the PAC's president.  Also notable, are the quotes from Colleen Parro of Republican National Coalition for Life. 

"My first thought was how embarrassing for the pro-lifers who have signed on for McCain," said Colleen Parro, executive director of the Republican National Coalition for Life to CNS News.

The pro-choice endorsement is particularly embarrassing to Senator Sam Brownback, who endorsed McCain when his own presidential campaign fizzled early in the running. Brownback has constantly been questioned for his endorsement since it became apparent that McCain had not changed his stance on embryonic stem-cell research, and that he is passive when it comes to homosexual "marriage."

Embarassing, yes.  Huckabee should be embarassed too. 

Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood Network of Washington is urging people to attend the caucuses for their political party and propose resolutions.  Here is the resolution they want Republicans to adopt.  Of course, resolutions at the caucus level are non-binding, they will be sent along to the platform committees.  (BTW, I'm serving on the Snohomish County platform committee.)  If any of you hear these introduced at the caucus level, be prepared to argue against it.  Even if McCain gets the nomination (it won't be without a big fight), there is plenty of reason to attend and participate in your caucus, your county convention, your state convention and if possible, the national convention.   

Pro-Life Leaders Implode While Pro-Life Rank and File Soar

Politics Jaded. Prayer Works. Who Knew?

The Trigger

It started Sunday, November 4th. Fred Thompson, the man whom many conservatives hoped would be "the next Ronald Reagan", committed the un-Reaganesque thumbing of nose at the pro-life plank of the Republican Party platform. It happened on "Meet the Press".  Tim Russert, his persistent interviewer, read the entire plank aloud, and asked for Thompson's position on it.  He opposed it.  It was a serious blow to many of his pro-life supporters.

Committed pro-lifers who are fairly new to the 30 year debate over how best to strategically end legalized abortion, might consider his mere opposition to supporting a Human Life Amendment to the U.S. Constitution acceptable, especially in light of his support for overturning Roe vs. Wade.  If one considered it long enough, one would realize that his position, supporting the overturning of Roe, and then leaving it to the states, would have allowed slavery to continue in some states. 

But it gets worse.  When pressed, Thompson said, that although he believes that life begins at conception, and that abortion is the taking of a human life, he doesn't believe it ought to be "criminalized" (read: made illegal).

The blow set off....   

The Implosion

All in the same week:

Evangelical leader, Pat Robertson, would endorse pro-abortion, pro-gay, cross dressing, adulterer, Rudy Giuliani, the man who has inspired a sizeable opposition among serious Catholics, a key constituency for Republicans. 

After flirting with the idea of doing the same, and then receiving outrage from his former supporters, Senator Sam Brownback, former candidate for president, instead chose to gamble away his pro-life Catholic political capital on "Gang of 14" leader, embryonic stem-cell research supporter, illegal immigrant slave trader, John McCain.   

Paul Weyrich, Founding President of the preeminent conservative think tank, Heritage Foundation, and considered by many to be the "father of the modern religious conservative movement", would endorse "Multiple Choice Mitt" Romney. 

David Osteen, Director of The National Right to Life Committee, would defend Thompson's "pro-life" voting record on nominally pro-life legislation as proof enough of his pro-life position, in spite of his aforementioned opposition to making abortion illegal.  (UPDATE: A week later, the National Right to Life would endorse Thompson!)

What disappointment and disarray! What confusion and utter chaos! 

From the Ashes

For the last several months, the diverse array of pro-life bloggers have been cheering on their guy (any one of the nine eight, well...nine if you include Alan Keyes) and yet anticipating the whole of our movement to pick one of the Republican candidates to get behind before the primaries and caucuses, so we'll be united and ready to defeat the pro-death wing of the Republican party and their covert plans, so we can move on to defeat Hillary.  And then these "leaders" divide themselves up between our worse possible choices. 

It would be depressing if it wasn't so comical.  Or so biblical. (Psalm 2:2-4)

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord,  and against his anointed, saying,

Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.

Amazingly, this implosion was triggered on day 40 of the 40 Days for Life campaign, the largest simultaneous, pro-life mobilization in history that promises to be "the beginning of the end of abortion in America." 

The campaign was not political, though of course, we hoped it would have political impact.  It was a mobilization of thousands of Christians across 90 cities, to pray and fast, and hold peaceful vigil in front of their local abortion clinic.  Some cities also did community outreach to educate the public about abortion, but the main components were prayer, fasting and vigil outside the abortion clinic.  Prayer to end abortion, in our laws and in our hearts, for the mothers, the fathers, the clinic workers and all involved, including politicians. 

Those of us participating had little to no time for politics during the 40 days.  We were on the front lines.  We saw amazing things that only come about through the power of God.  Answers to prayers for the individuals we saw there.  I really could write a book about our campaign in Everett, Washington alone, and if I can stop for long enough, I just might.  (Check out the blog) 

I wondered many times aloud, what would transpire on day 40.  Would the Jericho Walls of Planned Parenthood come crumbling down?  Would the liberal U.S. Congress suddenly have an "aha" moment and pass laws outlawing abortion?  Would married women of childbearing age and their husbands suddenly be converted to embrace the gift of their fertility and of life, and single men and women commit to saving themselves for marriage?  I hoped.

No.  Instead of the Culture of Death imploding, pro-life leadership did.  This is consistent with what I felt that God was saying through the 40 Days for Life campaign.

Though I knew that it was not beyond the power of God to crush the Culture of Death, with only a word, as I told the crowd at our midway rally, I was convinced that He wouldn't.  That instead, He was calling all of us to take part in ending abortion.  More than putting a bumper sticker on our car, or voting for the right candidate, or even campaigning for the right candidate.  More than giving a few dollars to a pro-life organization.  What He wants from us is not political, but will have impact on politics.   

He wants total commitment from us.  He wants repentance and sacrifice.  Our own sins have had a part in getting us where we are too, and He is calling us to repentance for ourselves and for our nation.  Repentance for our immorality as well as for our apathy and for our lack of courage.  Our actions, as Fr. Pavone says, "have not reflected the magnitude" of the blood that spills out daily on our land from abortion, and cries out to God...that is, until 40 Days for Life, according to Fr. Pavone.  I agree.

Participants here in Everett, showed the magnitude by giving of their time, standing out in the cold, sometimes rainy, sometimes stormy, windy weather, often enduring insults from Planned Parenthood supporters, to show their love and commitment to the mothers and babies and most of all, to God. 

Soaring to Heaven

Everyone who took part in the 40 days across the nation has sacrificed in some way, and each is a touching story.  I encourage you to learn about Regis Burlas (pictured left), the man in his 80's, who was killed in a car accident on his way to a 40 Days for Life vigil in Jacksonville, FL on the final Saturday (listen to the audio version of the story here).  You will be moved when you hear about the deep commitment to life that Regis and his wife shared.            

Though the exhausting 40 Days has concluded, pro-lifers have a renewed commitment and energy to work like we've never worked before and pray like we've never prayed before, with firm resolve to end abortion.  After rejuvenating for a little bit, here in Everett, we will continue to hold vigils on targeted days in front of the local Planned Parenthood.  New people are entering pro-life work for the first time, and veterans are encouraged by their presence to persevere.  Whether it be weekly prayer vigils, sidewalk counseling, pregnancy aid or post-abortion counseling, running for public office or teaming up to flood the caucuses, pro-lifers are committed.  We will not quit until we see the end or until our Lord calls us home. 

If the latter comes first, I suppose we'll still be at it there. 

Victory and Peace

I think it's no coincidence that the aforementioned implosion was triggered on day 40.  I see the hand of God in it.  The Human Life Amendment hasn't had this much public discussion for a long time.  Now it does.  On day 41, a Washington State potential candidate for Congress, from Seattle, no less, wrote in favor of it, and 2 presidential candidates responded to Thompson's opposition of it.   

Putting it charitably, I think the imploding pro-life leaders are tired and weary.  Their endorsements aren't likely to change the opinion of very many voters.  If they were combined, it would be another story.  Thank God they're not. 

As I write this, my feed reader has a new headline from the Sound Politics public blog, "Big News for Pro-Life Washington Tonite" [SIC].  The news is that "A federal judge has suspended Washington state's requirement that pharmacists sell "morning-after" birth control pills [which works as a chemical abortion if the woman is pregnant], a victory for druggists who claim their moral objections to the drug are being bulldozed by the government. "

And last night, I saw something else that was inspiring, and what I believe to be part of God's plan in all of this.  A new film maker has a trailer out for their first film, due out in Spring of '08.  It's called "Come What May" and it's about Roe vs. Wade, and the trailer indicates a theme of "no compromises".  "Do the Right Thing, Come What May," it's graphic says.  What a fitting name.  That should be our new theme. 

I don't know what will happen when Republican primary and caucus voters make their choice.  Politics is jaded.  Though it shouldn't be.  My hope is that they will pick one of the few candidates who consistently stand for Life and for our nation's founding principles.  I hope these candidates have a heart to heart before that, and decide which one of them should go forward, so that we don't split the pro-life vote or split the coalition, and as a result, hand the nomination to Rudy.  I'm hoping some of the other campaigns implode before then. 

Our nation is at a turning point in the coming months.  But whatever happens on a political scale, I know that it's all in God's hands.  His Truth is Marching On!

Our job is to "do the right thing, come what may."  Don't compromise.  Pray.  Trust in God's mercy and perfect justice. 

Ames Straw Poll Wrap-up

Don McDowell at Cyclone Conservative has an excellent analysis, from an on the ground perspective, of the Iowa Straw Poll.  It is a must read.  He also posted the actual results of the straw poll. 

I agree with Don Ward at Sound Politics who considers it a loss for Romney after spending millions on campaigning there:

Some of the news reports are falsely portraying this as evidence that Romney is gaining street cred with conservatives in the party. Quite the contrary. The poll participants broke overwhelmingly away from the Massachusetts politician.

Basically what was told to Romney is given the choice between him and a group of political nobodies by a two-to-one margin, the poll participants said "We like these guys who don't have a rat's-ass-chance of winning over you and your money, pretty boy."

The real winners of the straw poll were Huckabee, Browback and Tancredo.  It would be nice to see a serious televised debate between the three of these candidates, since all of them are pro-life.  Pro-lifers could really get a look at where they stand on other issues we care about and then make a more informed choice so we can pool our efforts together.  If the pro-life vote continues to go divided, we will surely end up with one of the "top tier" who are either pro-abortion-choice or cosmetically pro-life. 

Update: Pro-life blogger, Leticia's asking, "Will GOP get the hint?" 

Phyllis Schlafly Defends Tancredo's Pro-life Record Against Fraudulant Brownback Charge

And she's recorded a push call of her own!  Here is the press release, another update on the Brownback attacks against Tancredo.

(Washington, D.C.) – Phyllis Schlafly, the godmother of conservative politics, stepped into the presidential primary today to dismiss the malicious charge made against Presidential candidate Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO). The founder of Eagle Forum, a pro-family organization in existence since 1972, is an outspoken opponent of abortion and is credited with leading the effort to stop the adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Senator Brownback has alleged that Tancredo’s commitment to life is questionable because his campaign accepted a contribution from an individual who supports Tancredo on immigration but has in the past supported Planned Parenthood. Monday, on the Jan Mickelson radio show in Iowa, Schlafly dismissed the charge as "ridiculous."

"I’ve known him [Tancredo] for 30 years and he’s solid on every issue," Schlafly said. "And he’s a long time consistent pro-lifer... I’m really distressed that Brownback has made some ugly charges about him, which I believe are not true." The Brownback campaign has recently resorted to "push calls" calling on pro-lifers to "Say no to Tom Tancredo and his Planned Parenthood friend and help end abortion in America."

Phyllis Schlafly has recorded a push call of her own, dismissing the charge against Tancredo. "I want to go on record as saying… I know for sure he [Tancredo] has always been a champion of the right to life of the unborn." {Transcript Below}


Transcript:

Hello, this is Phyllis Schlafly.

Senator Brownback’s campaign is making calls to cast doubt on the pro-life commitment of Congressman Tom Tancredo.

I want to go on record as saying I’ve known Tom Tancredo for 30 years and I know for sure he has always been a champion of the right to life of the unborn.

The national right to life committee grades him A. Tom has an outstanding and consistent pro-life record.

Paid for by Tancredo for President.

Tancredo Demands Apology from Brownback for his "Despicable and Deceitful Campaign Tactics"

It's heating up in Iowa.  Here is a press release from the Tancredo for President campaign:

Des Moines, IA) - Presidential candidate Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) today demanded an apology from Senator Sam Brownback for the "despicable and deceitful campaign tactics" he is using to deliberately mislead the voters of Iowa concerning Mr. Tancredo’s unassailable pro-life record. Tancredo was referring to push calls financed by the Brownback campaign that intentionally suggest Congressman Tancredo has ties to Planned Parenthood, a major abortion provider. (Transcript below)

"Sam [Brownback] and I have been friends for several years and he is well aware of my life-long commitment to the unborn. Yet he has approved the use of despicable and deceitful campaign tactics in an effort to deliberately mislead the voters of Iowa concerning my record and my commitment to life." Tancredo said, "I call on Senator Brownback to cease with the maliciously misleading push calls intended to harm me and apologize."

Concerning contributions he has received Tancredo said, "Americans from all walks of life, from all racial and religious backgrounds, and from all political persuasions support me because they believe as I do that illegal immigration is the greatest domestic threat we face as a nation and they know I will never resolve this issue by giving amnesty to illegal aliens."

Tancredo has an A rating from the National Right to Life Committee, and a 0% rating from NARAL, an abortion rights organization.

And here is the transcript of the Brownback campaign push call:

Hello this is an urgent alert for pro-life republicans in Iowa. Tom Tancredo has accepted tens of thousands of dollars from the founder of a Planned Parenthood network, the largest provider of abortion in the world. Pro-life republicans have asked Tom Tancredo to donate the money to a crisis pregnancy center here in Iowa that helps women chose life. Tom Tancredo stubbornly refuses to do so. Say no to Tom Tancredo and his Planned Parenthood friend and help end abortion in America. This call is paid for by Brownback for President.

As reported here before, the individual to whom the Brownback campaign is referring, happens to be on the board of directors of FAIR (Federation for American Immigration Reform), so he obviously shares Tancredo's position on illegal immigration and border security, NOT his position on abortion.  Tancredo not only has a 100% pro-life voting record, but supports a Human Life Amendment to the Constitution, a rare pro-life position among the presidential candidates. 

It seems Brownback is at a loss for how to win over some of the pro-life voters in Iowa who also oppose amnesty for illegal aliens and want to see the borders secured with no compromises.  In Tancredo, they find a candidate for president who shares their views on both of these watershed issues and many others. 

Senator Brownback, you know better. 

Update: According to Vital Signs, Brownback stands by the call.

Breaking: Tancredo Responds to Brownback's Attack

In a press release yesterday, Sam Brownback attacked his pro-life opponent Tom Tancredo for accepting "thousands of dollars from the founder of a Planned Parenthood network."  He was referring to Dr. John Tanton, who also happened to be a founder of FAIR (Federation for American Immigration Reform).  The press release failed to mention that, but instead attempted to mislead pro-lifers supporting Tancredo:

Federal Election Commission (FEC) records show that Tancredo's presidential campaign, political action committee, and congressional re-election campaign have accepted thousands of dollars personally from Tanton, and thousands more from a political action committee connected to Tanton.

The Tancredo campaign has responded:

Those who contribute to the Tancredo campaign are supportive of Congressman Tancredo and his principles and values; in no way does this suggest he endorses theirs.

As for the Congressman's pro-life record, it is unassailable.  What is far more interesting to the people of Iowa is Senator Brownback's complete embrace of massive amnesty for illegal aliens.

Further, not only is Tancredo's pro-life record unassailable, but his complete position is pro-life without discrimination over how babies were conceived.  He has received the support of Republican National Coalition for Life, an uncompromising pro-life PAC.

Senator Brownback is grasping at straws with this "guilt by association" attack after being widely criticized by conservatives for his support for amnesty and his waffling on the cloture bill last Thursday regarding amnesty.  That he is attacking Tancredo in Iowa, indicates that Tancredo is gaining ground for his unwavering position against the illegal invasion of America by law breakers and against Republican politicians who would sell out our American sovereignty for some "cheap labor", as well as his solid commitment to protecting innocent life. 

Perhaps Congressman Tancredo should ask why Senator Brownback would accept an award from the National Council of La Raza (The Race), which also has plenty of ties with pro-abortion groups and has been on the record supporting pro-abortion policies, aside from being one of the top lobbying groups in favor of the recently defeated (for the 5th time) Senate amnesty bill.

How Conservatives Can Pick Their President

Jane Chastain at WND explains how conservatives can ignore the media and put a conservative nominee on the ballot for president.  She's certainly not the first to outline this path, but she weighs in on the Fred Factor too.  Here's more on the Fred Factor from the Washington Times.

2008 Presidential Candidates on Life Issues

Note: New updated information has been added to this post concerning the potential candidacy of former U.S. Senator from Tennessee and actor, Fred Thompson. 

The following is taken from the Republican National Coalition for Life's "Fax Notes".  RNC for Life is the leading organization responsible for ensuring a pro-life Republican platform at the national level and is a valuable source for finding out who really is pro-life and who is just pandering with "cosmetically pro-life" speak. 

(LOTP notes that because of Sam Brownback's position on illegal immigration amnesty, conservatives need to carefully consider whether or not he is worthy of support.  In addition, the news of his being fickle on the human life amendment to the Constitution should give pro-lifers pause as well.) 

2008 Presidential Candidates' Positions on Life Issues 
(Listed Alphabetically)

SAM BROWNBACK Senator Brownback is the pro-life leader in the U.S. Senate. He has sponsored numerous pro-life bills including the Human Cloning Prohibition Act, the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act, and the Assisted Suicide Prevention Act. He has held hearings on life issues, among them the Impact of Abortion on Women. Senator Brownback is a sincere and dedicated champion of the right to life from conception.

JIM GILMORE A former Governor of Virginia, Jim Gilmore supports legal abortion until the 13th week 8.57 weeks ("60 days") of gestation pregnancy (the first trimester), and in cases of rape or incest when necessary to save the life of the mother. He has supported an informed consent law and a 24-hour waiting period for abortion.

NEWT GINGRICH His book, "Winning the Future: A 21st Century Contract with America" said virtually nothing about abortion. John Lofton, who interviewed Gingrich for American View asked, "Do you think abortion should be a crime?" Gingrich answered tepidly, "I think that abortion should not be legal, and I think that how you would implement that I'm not sure."

RUDOLPH GIULIANI "I'm pro-choice. I'm pro-gay rights," Giuliani said. He was then asked whether he supports a ban on what critics call partial-birth abortion. "No, I have not supported that, and I don't see my position on that changing," he responded. — CNN.com, "Inside Politics" Dec. 2, 1999. Now that he is running for president he says he would support it, but only if it has a life-of-the-mother exception, (Hannity & Colmes, 2/5/07) even though there is clear evidence that killing a baby during delivery by stabbing him in the back of the neck and sucking out his brains is never medically necessary.

In a 1989 conversation with Phil Donahue, Giuliani said he would "uphold a woman's right of choice," and "oppose going back to a day in which abortions were illegal." When Donahue asked what advice he would give his daughter if she became pregnant, he said . . . "if the ultimate choice of the woman — my daughter or any other woman — would be that in this particular circumstance she had to have an abortion, I'd support that. I'd give my daughter the money for it."

MIKE HUCKABEE The former Governor of Arkansas thinks abortion should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered. He would eliminate public funding for abortions and public funding of organizations that advocate or perform abortions. He supports "A Woman's Right to Know" legislation.

DUNCAN HUNTER Rep. Hunter is a committed pro-lifer and chief sponsor of the Right To Life Act (H.R. 618) to extend Fourteenth Amendment protection to the unborn child. He is now serving his 14th term as Congressman from the 52nd District of California.

In an interview with Human Events (12/4/06) Rep. Hunter was asked, "What would you do about abortion if you were President?" He responded, "I'd do everything I could to work toward doing everything we could to eliminate abortion." When asked, "What sort of people would you name to the United States Supreme Court?" he answered, "I would name people who have a sensitivity toward human life."

JOHN McCAIN Sen. McCain has voted to restrict or regulate the practice of abortion but, although he says Roe v. Wade should be overturned, he supports abortion in cases of rape and incest and has endorsed legislation that would expand federal funding for research that kills human embryos.

RON PAUL Rep. Paul was the Libertarian Party nominee in 1988. His libertarian views have conflicted with his pro-life stance on many occasions. From 2005 - 2006, Paul had just a 56 percent pro-life voting record as he voted four times against a federal law protecting teenagers from being taken to other states for secret abortions in violation of the parental notification or consent laws of their home state. In previous years, Mr. Paul had a 73 percent, 81 percent, and 79 percent voting record going back to 1999, according to the National Right to Life Committee. He doesn't think federal law should cover abortion issues. He opposes using taxpayer funding for both embryonic and non-embryonic stem cell research. (LIFENEWS.com)

MITT ROMNEY Mitt Romney ran against Ted Kennedy for the U.S. Senate in 1994 as a pro-choice candidate. As a candidate for Governor in 2002, he answered Planned Parenthood and NARAL questionnaires saying he supported "the substance of the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade" and, "I respect and will protect a woman's right to choose . . . Women should be free to choose based on their own beliefs, not mine and not the government's." (The Weekly Standard, 2/5/07) Now that he is running for President, Mr. Romney would like us to believe that, after 34 years of legal abortion in this country and an entire political career as an enthusiastic pro-choicer, he has just seen the light and is now "pro-life."

Romney supports killing human embryos left over from IVF treatments for research purposes as long as the parents give their consent.

TOM TANCREDO Although he is best known among conservatives for his leadership on immigration policy, Congressman Tancredo is solidly pro-life. NARAL gives him a 0% score on legislation related to life issues. (http://www.issues2000.org/House/Tom_Tancredo.htm) His website says this: "Throughout my public career I have always maintained a deeply held conviction that abortion compromises the sanctity of human life. Tragically, our nation has ignored our founding principle that all individuals have a right to life and in doing so has failed to protect the most vulnerable among us, unborn boys and girls. I do not support federal funds going to Planned Parenthood or any other organization that promotes abortion. I will continue to do everything in my power to protect the defenseless, and to end the practice of abortion." (http://tancredo.house.gov/issues)

FRED THOMPSON In a March 11th interview with Chris Wallace on FOX News, Sen. Thompson described himself as "pro-life" and said he thinks Roe v. Wade was bad law and bad medical science.  "I don't think the court ought to wake up one day and make new social policy for the country.  It's contrary to what it's been the past 200 years." (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,258222,00.html)

We have not located information on Fred Thompson's views on life issues other than abortion.  The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) voting record for the 105th, 106th and 107th congressional sessions shows that he voted pro-life on every bill to restrict or regulate the practice of abortion.  He did not receive a 100% score from NRLC due to his consistent support for the McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform Act.

Where Fred Thompson stands on respect and protection of the human embryo, embryonic stem cell research, or abortion in cases of rape or incest is unknown to us.  When we locate that information, we will certainly report on it.

TOMMY THOMPSON The former Governor of Wisconsin and Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Bush administration, Tommy Thompson supports abortion in cases of rape and incest, and endorses embryonic stem cell research, while claiming to be "pro-life."

Update: LOTP received the below correction from the Jim Gilmore campaign.  I have corrected what was false above and provided the notice below to show what was not reported.  Details are important:

Good Morning Michelle,

 

We hope you and your family are well. We wanted to request that you correct the following incorrect information posted on your Life of the Party blog: 

 

"JIM GILMORE A former Governor of Virginia, Jim Gilmore supports legal abortion until the 13th week of gestation (the first trimester), and in cases of rape or incest. He has supported an informed consent law and a 24-hour waiting period for abortion."

 

Governor Gilmore's has a long history of protecting life. Governor Gilmore has always steadfastly opposed public funding of abortions and his leadership as Governor led to successful legislation which he signed into law that created a 24-hour waiting period for women seeking an abortion, required parental notification for minors seeking an abortion and banned partial birth abortion. Jim Gilmore created the Virginia Abstinence Initiative and dramatically increased funding for adoption services.

 

Jim Gilmore signed into law legislation banning human cloning and went to court to try to prevent the removal of a feeding tube and save the life of coma victim Hugh Finn.  The Governor's long held position is that abortions may be allowed during the first 60 days or pregnancy, but after 60 days he opposes ALL abortions except those which are necessary to save the life of the mother.

Thank you for what you do to protect the life of the unborn.

 

The Gilmore Campaign

My response:

Dear Gilmore Campaign,

I have corrected the information regarding Jim Gilmore's positions at your request and am cc'ing Colleen Parro of RNC for Life, who was my source.  I know that RNC for Life is a trustworthy source for information on life issues and candidates' positions, and I'm quite certain that this was either an honest mistake on her part or somewhere along the line, either a source she quoted was wrong or positions have evolved.  It's important that voters have accurate information on the candidates. 

Nevertheless, I find that justifying abortion at any stage of life to be immoral and there are credible pro-life medical experts that say it is never necessary to perform an abortion to save the life of the mother.  I hope Mr. Gilmore will reconsider his positions.  We need leaders who will protect all innocent life. 

I thank you for your kind letter. 

Sincerely,
Michelle McIntyre

Update: Upon further review, it appears the information came from Jack Yoest's blog, Reasoned Audacity, who according to his report, formerly worked for Governor Gillmore, serving as Assistant Secretary for Health and Human Services.  The source was even linked in the RNC for Life report that was cited at above.