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Republicans Select Slate
of Pro-Life Leaders in House and Senate
Part Two of Three By Dave Andrusko I was up to my eyeballs in things to do yesterday when the good news arrived. The House and Senate Republican caucuses had both elected a strong slate of pro-life leaders, led by House Speaker in waiting John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Suddenly, I couldn't stop smiling. When I compared these selections with what the Democrats on Wednesday chose to lead them, it reminded me once again why Republicans gained at least 6l seats in the House, which resulted in a net pro-life gain of between 40 and 55, depending on the issue. The House Republican caucus had just selected staunch pro-lifers to hold the four key leadership positions when the new Congress convenes in January: Rep. John Boehner; Rep. Eric Cantor as majority leader; Rep. Kevin McCarthy as majority whip; and Rep. Jeb Hensarling as Republican Conference chair. By contrast, Democrats kept the same off-tune pro-abortion band together. Facing growing discontent from within her own caucus (how could it be otherwise?), Nancy Pelosi nonetheless retained her party's highest position--this time as House Minority Leader. Pelosi was joined by fellow re-cyclists Rep. Steny Hoyer as minority whip and Rep. James Clyburn, who continued in the third-ranking position but with the refurbished title of "assistant leader." The same brutally stark contrast was on display in Senate elections. Republicans chose pro-life Mitch McConnell as Senate Minority Leader while Democrats went back to the well one more time with pro-abortion Harry Reid retaining his position as Senate Majority Leader. No wonder Republicans picked up six seats. At the news of Pelosi's 150-43 victory over Rep. Heath Shuler, a great many columnists and reporters who are (to be polite)inclined to be nice to pro-abortion Democrats wailed and gnashed their teeth. They would quote people such as Rep. Bill Pascrell (N.J.), who called himself "one of Nancy Pelosi's closest friends here in the Congress." According to the Washington Post's Dana Milbank, Pascrell "said that by holding Wednesday's vote to keep Pelosi as leader, Democrats 'missed an opportunity today to send a signal to America that we understand what happened this past election.'" But her supporters and defenders used the fact that she led her team over the cliff as a reason not to change: maintain continuity; she can raise big, big bucks which they will need; can't concede to the public that the electorate was in full-scale rebellion against Democratic overreach, symbolized and personified by ObamaCare; Pelosis has been Obama's "loyal lieutenant," etc., etc., etc. The Democrats have remembered everything, and learned nothing. Just a brief word about soon-to-be House Speaker John Boehner. That NRLC is pleased--delighted even--would be a huge understatement. The contrast with Nancy Pelosi is stunning. There were many reasons that Rep Boehner received the National Right to Life Legislative Leadership Award for outstanding pro-life leadership in Congress at the 2010 NRLC convention. When NRLC announced that Boehner would be the recipient, NRLC Co-Executive Director Darla St. Martin explained exactly why. "Congressman John Boehner has been an outspoken supporter of the most vulnerable members of our society," she said. "Throughout the battle over President Obama's health care bill, Leader Boehner worked tirelessly to defend the rights of unborn children, the elderly, and the medically dependent and disabled." St. Martin added, "His dedication to our great cause will be an inspiration to everyone in attendance." (You can read Rep. Boehner's remarks at www.nrlc.org/News_and_Views/June10/nv062810part2.html). Please send your comments on Today's News & Views and National Right to Life News Today to daveandrusko@gmail.com. If you like, join those who are following me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/daveha. |