Isn't it disgusting that as usual , in spite of a Dem victory, women are

[saracat]

again being thrown under the bus with the promotion of all these anti choice people such as Murtha? And the election of Casy in Pa? They congratulate themselves that only he could have been elected but I disagree.Why, with Nancy Pelosi as Speaker , are we doing an anti choice spin? I will wait to see how they vote and if they dump women again, I have some thinking to do.

[valerief]

1. Time to spin Murtha as pro-choice. Nancy can do it. nt

[saracat]

2. But he isn't and I won't accept that spin.His voting record stinks!

If he dares to continue to support ant-choice and the party supports him, the NAARAL and NOW ought to take their support elsewhere.

[hippiechick]

9. Exactly. He ISN'T. Period.

n/t

[valerief]

10. Hey, Republicans changed and voted for Dems. It's time Murtha

changed, too.

[aquart]

3. Yes, do wait to see how they vote.

That would be nice.

Murtha will probably still vote anti-choice. Just so you know.

Me, I'm not one issue.

[saracat]

7. And then I won't support him. Basic human rights are my only issue in broad strokes and this is

basic human right for my gender. If I have no rights over my own body , other things are irrelevant.But whatever.

[Demit]

4. Casey was the only one with a hope of beating Santorum, whether you disagree

or not.

[saracat]

6. Just saying that doesn't make it so.This was an exceptional year.

I believe with enough support a prochoice candidate could have won.Santorum's number was up. And from the footage I saw, Casey wasn't that wonderful a candidate.He just wasn't Santorum! LOL!

[Demit]

11. No, but it being so makes it so.

Of COURSE with enough support a prochoice candidate could have won. But that's the point. The support, statewide, wasn't there.

You do realize that the whole process started a long time before this "exceptional year," don't you? You are aware we had a Democratic primary here back in the spring? Two progressive candidates who received 9% and 7% to Casey's 85%? You're familiar with the term "Pennsyltucky", the very conservative T in the middle of the state?

You are indulging in wishful thinking, saracat. There was no potential candidate who had a prayer of beating Santorum, short of Ed Rendell stepping down from being governor and running himself. Casey ran a smart campaign by not being very visible because you're right about one thing, he's extremely understated to the point of boredom. But he is a populist through and through, and cares deeply about economic justice. He also is not opposed to contraception, btw. He's not a fanatic.

And because he helped give us the Senate, Democrats now control the agenda. Unless the Dems as a party do an about-face and start bringing anti-abortion bills to the floor, Casey's opposition will be moot. We'll both have to see what he does as a senator, of course, but this win was a huge accomplishment in the scheme of things.

[saracat]

15. And don't think I place no value on that because I do. I am glad we control the Senate. I also am

praying none of these anti choicers act on their views. And BTW, how generous of him to allow us to practice contraception! :sarcasm: I am pleased with your accomplishment but can have no respect for an anti choice Senator. He has no respect for women and he doesn't deserve respect from us. But what is , is. I feel the same way about Murtha and I am sure he will be confirmed.In spite of a woman speaker, we have been thrown under the bus.

[WCGreen]

22. It wsn't that exceptional when the election season began....

Back when plans were being made... When money was being raised...

It sure didn't look as if we had a chance in the Senate... In the House, I think they were thinking they would be lucky to win 6 7 seats...

[k_jerome]

5. 0% NARAL rating. nt.

[sandnsea]

8. No abortion legislation will come up

No pro-life judges will get out of committee. We will get a pro-choice Justice if Stevens retires. We've got the first woman Speaker of the House, a wonderful pro-choice Catholic. I think we got a helluva deal. I think it would be great if we can put the focus on more assistance to prevent unintended pregnancies, while not criminalizing abortion. I think in this charged climate, that's the best we can hope for and are pretty good wins, overall.

[blondeatlast]

12. Yep--procedural rules are the best friend we have since we're the majority.

You are right on; no Democrat who values his/her career will propose any such legislation, and anything crafted by the RRR will be shelved in committee till it rots.

Just typing this reply gives me a warm fuzzy!

[k_jerome]

17. neither will any legislation giving gays the same rights as...

everyone else. or legislation to improve the conditions of minorities. great ain't it?

[sandnsea]

18. Won't with Hillary either

so what's your point?

There's rules about stalking, in case you missed it.

[k_jerome]

19. it is extrememely disingenuous to accuse others for whatever ends...

this is the first post of yours I have responded to that you did not first respond to me in. As a matter of fact, you responded to a subthread I was engaged in with another person, and I do not recall accusing you of "stalking". Your actions are duly noted. It will not be hard for the admins to bear this out. Or anyone that can use the search function. Good day.

[sandnsea]

20. You started that thread

I didn't go seeking you out in the body of threads to respond to. It wasn't until I remembered that you had posted that thread accusing DU of being racist, because of the lack of support for Ford, that I mentioned it further down in the thread you started. So good day to you too.

[Zhade]

13. Yes. Yes it is.

It's also not surprising in the slightest, sadly.

[Hollow Shells]

14. Republicans had six years

to battle abortion, they chose not to. I doubt that Democrats are now going to challange it.

[Pushed To The Left]

16. The most pro-choice thing Senate Democrats can do

is to do whatever they can to stop any more of Bush's right-wing judicial nominees from getting on the bench. A Democratic majority will make this much easier to accomplish! If the right wing wants to outlaw abortion, they will most likely attempt to do this by stacking the Courts. This is, in my opinion, why protecting the Supreme Court with a Democratic majority is the most important thing that can be done to protect choice in America. Even Democrats like Harry Reid, who has a very poor abortion rights record, fought to save the judicial filibuster so Bush's extremists could be kept off the bench. If they fight the right-wing judicial appointees, they are doing the best possible thing to protect reproductive rights.

[JamesJoyce]

21. Abortion on demand is not a winning platform!

nt

[bling bling]

24. You obviously don't get it.

Who the fuck is trying to make abortion on demand a part of the platform? It's disingenuous to spin it that way. This is about our representatives and a woman's right to make her own choices about something that affects HER body in HER life.

When the government decides it has some sort of authority to control the things that happen inside YOUR personal body, maybe you'll get it. Until then, go fly a kite or something because your attitude and comments aren't helping anything.

[JamesJoyce]

28. What about the other life in HER body?

This issue is a no-winner for the Dems, it is necessary for it to be locked in the closet.

[saracat]

30. My life over an embryo? You think that should have the same rights as a woman?

Perhaps they should be given a vote too? Some thing needs to be locked in a closet and it isn't this issue!

[Richard Steele]

31. My, Grandma, what a big STRAWMAN you have!

[SeattleGirl]

23. Is he anti-choice or anti-abortion?

I beleive there is a difference. I know women who would not choose to have an abortion themselves, but are not against readily available birth control, sex ed, etc. These women (and men too) do not try to foist their view on abortion on others; they recognize that abortion IS a choice, just not one that is an option for them.

I think one thing to keep is mind is that while Murtha and some of the newly elected Dems may be anti-abortion, that does not necessarily mean that they will try to abolish it. (And I say this with the caveat that I do not know the records regarding any votes these folks may have taking where abortion or choice is concerned. My main reason for posting is to make the distinction between being anti-abortion and anti-choice.)

[OzarkDem]

25. There are other women's issues besides abortion rights

It could be its no longer at the top of the list. Most women are concerned more about other health care issues.

[ClassWarrior]

26. Is it time for saracat's monthly "I hate the Dems" thread again?

:eyes:

NGU.

[saracat]

29. I have never said I "hate the Dems". Sometimes I'm not thrilled with leadership

but I have often defended the Dems more often than not! My big complaint in fact has been Dems "eating their own" but believe what you want.

[bling bling]

27. Here's Murtha's Voting Record Since 2000

In addition to the following, he voted YES to ban partial birth abortions every time there was a vote on the issue.

So basically he has a 100% score voting for Government deciding for a woman what should be a private matter for her and her doctor.

I guess this is between him and the people who voted him into office, though. But I have to agree that I very much dislike seeing Dems who hold anti-choice positions elevated to leadership positions.

VOTED NO:
Overseas Military Facilities Abortion Amendment
Amendment sought to allow military personnel and their dependents overseas to use their own funds to obtain abortion services in overseas military hospitals.

VOTED YES:
Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act
Vote to pass a bill that prohibits the transportation of a minor across state lines to obtain an abortion without the consent of a parent or legal guardian

VOTED NO:
Family Planning Assistance Funding amendment
Vote to adopt an amendment that would strike language from the bill that prohibits giving United States funds to any organization working overseas that uses its own funds to provide abortion services or engage in advocacy related to abortion services.

VOTED NO:
Abortion Funding Amendment
Vote to adopt an amendment that would strike language from the bill that prohibits using any of the funds it distributes to pay for abortions or the administrative expenses connected to any federal health plan that provides benefits or coverage for abortions.

VOTED NO:
Prison Abortion Funding Amendment
Amendment sought to strike section 103 which prohibits funds in the bill from being used for an abortion, except where the life of the woman would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term or in the case of rape.

VOTED NO:
Oversea Military Abortions Amendment
Vote to adopt an amendment that would repeal a provision that forbids service women and dependents from getting an abortion in overseas military hospitals.