choice

RNC Chairman Michael Steele recently acknowledged in a new GQ article that women have the right to choose an abortion (GASP!!) and some anti-choice extremists and fellow members of the Republican party are none too happy about it.  Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but women DO have the right to choose abortion, it is still legal in this country, Roe v. Wade still stands right?  Steele also said "We are a party that values life, born and unborn", sounds pretty anti-choice to me.  However pundits have called his acknowledgment of the law "straight out of Planned Parenthood's messaging playbook" others went so far as to say he has proclaimed himself pro-choice! 

When asked by GQ if he'd want to overturn Roe v. Wade Steele very clearly stated that it is a wrongly decided matter and should be turned to the states.   It doesn't get much clearer than that.  Yet Mike Huckabee still feels that Chairman Steele has abandoned the Republican party platform as well as basic human rights.  Seriously?  Did he read past "women have the right to choose" and then stop reading and give his quote?

I'm quite certain that the former Catholic seminarian will uphold the Republican platform, including any anti-choice sentiments that may be required of him.  However,  if he is going to enrage the religious right and Rush Limbaugh along the way while stating pure facts, this may be a little more fun than we originally thought.

Advisers are saying that Gov. Kathleen Sebelius from Kansas may be President Obama's top pick for secretary of health and human services.  Despite being a Roman Catholic, Sebelius is endorsed by Planned Parenthood and consistently votes against anti-choice legislation, a fact that may be concerning the White House.  They may fear a backlash from the anti-choice community, mostly centered around Sebelius's conflicts with Kansas District Attorney, Phill Kline.  Sebelius has decreased the abortion rate in Kansas 8.5%.  Kline on the other hand subpoenaed the medical records of patients from abortion clinics and leaked them to Bill O'Reilly.  Planned Parenthood of Kansas sued and Kline was forced to return the medical records, however, his antics have made him a hero of the anti-choice community in Kansas. 

It is long past time that we had a qualified, pro-choice candidate in the HHS position after years of anti-choice, anti-women secretaries coming through.  It would be a shame if someone like Kline could keep Sebelius from this very deserved position.

NARAL Pro-Choice America produced the following video on U.S. Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin's very adamant feelings on a women's right to choose.

Planned Parenthood Action Fund officially endorsed U.S. Senator Barack Obama yesterday. This is only the second time in history that Planned Parenthood Action Fund has endorsed a presidential candidate. See below the endorsement statement by president Cecile Richards and accompanying clips of Senator Obama.