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Anti-abortion group warns Altmire, Kanjorski on health care vote
One of the country’s leading anti-abortion groups is sending a warning shot to House Democrats that if they vote health care reform legislation that loosens restrictions on federal funding for abortion, they should be ready to lose their jobs.
And they’re bringing polling data to prove it.
The Susan B. Anthony List, founded to advance the role of pro-life women in politics, rolled our their survey late last week, a poll that included data on Pennsylvania’s 4th and 11th districts. In Democrat Jason Altmire’s 4th District, according to the poll, 66 percent of voters strongly oppose federal funding for abortion. In Paul Kanjorski’s 11th, that number is 55 percent. More than 70 percent of voters were at least “somewhat opposed” in both districts.
“Voters in Pennsylvania’s congressional districts are sending a clear and unequivocal message to their members of Congress, and it is that no tax dollars should be used to pay for abortion as a part of health care reform,” said Kellyanne Conway, The Polling Company/WomanTrend, which conducted the surveys. The polls surveyed 300 randomly selected constituents in phone interviews.
“These data don’t send a message to Altmire and Kanjorski, as much as they make a demand,” Conway said. No federal funding for abortion as a part of health care legislation.”
Altmire was one of only two Pennsylvania Democrats to vote against the House health care bill last year, which included the so-called Stupak amendment that restricted federal funding for abortion. Kanjorski voted for the bill. It remains unclear if that language will be in any final legislation.
Marilyn Musgrave, a former Colorado Congresswoman and project director for the Susan B. Anthony List, also interpreted the data.
“As a former member of Congress I can certainly identify with the pressure that is placed on Democrats right now,” said Marilyn Musgrave, a former congresswoman from Colorado. “But as these polling results clearly show, if and when the health care bill comes up, Altmire and Kanjorski are facing a stark choice to either be heroes or to betray the pro-life constituents that we have found make up their Districts.”
March 8, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Tags: Jason Altmire, PA-11, PA-4, Paul Kanjorski
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Brett
Mar 8th, 2010
I am pro choice, however, in this instance, this group may be right, the best if to have a health bill not an abortion bill, and get it passed. I am for a public option, though, too much money goes to the private health companies, and competition needs to reign.
Bruce Bailey
Mar 8th, 2010
This is what the right does — it threatens, it shouts and it tries to scare politicians into doing what the right-wing Taliban wants through intimidation. It’s disgusting that this minority group has co-opted the name of Susan B. Anthony, a crusader for women’s rights who would never want to be associated with an organization that wants to see choice taken away from women.
Smart politicians should know that groups like these do NOT represent majority opinions, even in outlying PA districts.
Isaac L
Mar 8th, 2010
Oh, good. They’re just making an empty threat. I saw the headline and was worried they’d mailed the congressmen pictures of Dr. Tiller or something.
Bruce Bailey
Mar 8th, 2010
Well, I wouldn’t want to link these folks to the really dangerous crazies that support their cause. But I guess it’s true that they’re related.
Tom
Mar 8th, 2010
Kanjorski is most likely safe. He’s a crook and will remain in congress until he dies or is sent to prison, just like Murtha. Altmire, on the other hand, is in a pretty conservative district and better watch his back. If he doesn’t lose in 2010, he’ll go down in 2012. He can’t be a liberal and last long in that district.