Understanding the Winks and the Nods

By the time you read this edition of the "right to life newspaper of record," several key primaries will have taken place which will go a long way toward determining who will square off in November to succeed Bill Clinton. (To keep up, check Today's News &Views at www.nrlc.org.)

Like two suitors, the Democrats running for President - - Vice President Al Gore and former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley - - are vying for the hand of the Abortion Establishment. Each day they pledge their undying loyalty: abortion today, abortion tomorrow, abortion forever.

In Gore's case, however, that misses abortion yesterday. Pressed by Bradley to explain his largely pro-life voting record when he was a congressman, Gore tried to turn his 150º flip-flop to his advantage.

These early votes, Gore said [in his finest talking-to-second- graders voice], reflected that at the time he was "wrestling" with the issue of federal funding, not "choice" per se. By implication, far from being penitent about these minor infractions of the pro- abortion orthodoxy, Gore believes he ought to be congratulated for pinning his conscience. The man is shameless.

Getting the truth out of Gore requires the political equivalent of the Heimlich maneuver. Discussion of a "President" Gore is so frightening, the topic should not be discussed in the presence of small children.

As NRL News goes to press, pro-life Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Arizona Senator John McCain are locked in a ferocious struggle for the GOP presidential nomination. In all my years of watching the press operate, I have never seen anything to compare with the unabashed, unashamed, unadulterated advocacy that is the media's embrace of McCain. Talk about a swoon! To most reporters, McCain combines the best of Teddy Roosevelt, Luke Skywalker, and James Dean.

For good reason, this edition of NRL News features a number of stories that outline in detail what we call "The Pro-life Case Against John McCain." Why do I say "for good reason"?

For starters, it's because the so-called "mainstream press" is not about to tell you that when it comes to abortion, McCain winks so often you'd think he has a nervous disorder. As the stories on pages 1, 3, 6-7 and 21 explain, the media consensus is that McCain can be counted on to put pro-life advocacy in its proper place: xoblivion.

Even if some pro-lifers don't, they understand that although McCain insists his pro-life convictions are unshakeable, he has actually sent clear signals that he would be no threat to the status quo of legal abortion on demand. Even if some pro-lifers don't, they appreciate that McCain is their best chance in 20 years to estrange pro-lifers from the Republican Party, the party with the pro-life platform plank and many, many elected pro-life officials at all levels of government.

Even if some pro-lifers don't, they see a historic opportunity to muzzle the free speech rights of grassroots organizations such as National Right to Life and its affiliates. [How they must salivate at the prospect of silencing NRLC!]

Even if some pro-lifers don't, they see a golden opportunity to alter the political landscape for the foreseeable future. Pretty heady stuff for the boys and girls on the bus.

In service of these objectives they will bash Gov. Bush with one hand and, with the other hand, lob softball questions to a man they understand is one of them! My favorite example [to quote from the Washington Post] was when reporters asked "which former presidents would inspire a McCain administration." Rebel/maverick that he is, McCain offered Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan. Does this man dare to be daring, or what?!

And the irony is, of course, that were reporters able to sabotage the Bush candidacy, they would, like swallows returning to Capistrano, flock back to the Democratic fold next fall. All this, in only one political season!

But they will find that, unlike John McCain, real pro-lifers are not fair weather friends of unborn babies. Pro-lifers remain confident that Bush's pro-life convictions and positions will stand him in good stead with the electorate. Faced with a partisan press that seemingly will stop at nothing, pro-lifers will do everything humanly possible to help George W. Bush and other pro-life candidates who believe [in Gov. Bush's words] that "every child, born and unborn, should be protected in law."

dave andrusko {dha1245@juno.com}