Pearce resigns after advocating sterilization for people on Medicaid

[cali]

Former Arizona legislator Russell Pearce, the chief sponsor of Arizona's hard-line law against illegal immigration, has resigned a top leadership position in the state Republican Party after he was criticized for remarks advocating mandatory contraception or sterilization for people on Medicaid.

The party late Sunday night announced Pearce's resignation as first vice chairman — the state party's second top leadership post — after some Republican candidates denounced the comments that Pearce recently made while hosting a radio program.

Pearce said in a statement released by the party that he was resigning his position because he didn't want to be a distraction during the campaign leading up to November's elections.

He was criticized for saying: "You put me in charge of Medicaid, the first thing I'd do is get Norplant, birth-control implants, or tubal ligation."

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http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/8161c912d9404c88b630523732658ddd/AZ--Pearce-Resigns/

[former9thward]

1. He resigned from his unpaid GOP post.

He is keeping his $85,000 a year job with the Maricopa County Treasurer's office.

[jwirr]

2. He is a fool. Medicaid in most states offer these procedures at the woman discretion. To force them

is not his right and never should be.

[roguevalley]

5. Hitler forced sterilization too. I wonder if that plank is part of their

platform?

[oldandhappy]

3. People? Both men and women?

That is a switch. Usually women get the gift of repub anger.

[roguevalley]

4. what is it with these MEN and their fixation on women's BITS!?!

I would punch his mother if he had one.

[LiberalAndProud]

6. Yea, I imagine he really disgruntled the Anti Contraception League contingent of his party.

From bad to worse, I expect.