–updated–
She’s chatting right now over at Crooks & Liars, with Digby, Howie Klein and John Amato. I’ve already been over there. Join in. Here’s Connie’s Act Blue Page for those who can contribute.
Connie Saltonstall has been endorsed by NOW, with endorsements of EMILY’s List reportedly to be next.
I have no idea of her chances, with Stupak pretty dug in with his district, but it’s not your average year, as digby said today. What’s very important is holding people like Bart Stupak accountable for going against Democratic priorities and the majority of women who elect Democrats. That goes double after what he has done on health care where women are concerned.
Give ‘im hell, Connie.
“Our Congressman has let us down. Bart Stupak has threatened to block healthcare reform unless the Amendment that bears his name is included in the final bill. I believe that he has a right to his personal, religious views, but to deprive his constituents of needed healthcare reform because of those views is reprehensible. [...] Michigan and the First District are facing enormous challenges and we cannot afford to sacrifice solutions for individual agendas. Stupak is co-chair of the Pro-Life Caucus and is putting their interests above those of his district. No federal funds have been used for abortions since 1977, and that provision will stay in effect without his amendment. In my opinion, Bart Stupak has shown that he is willing to block important legislation to support his own agenda at the expense of those he was elected to represent.” – Connie Saltonstall
From Connie, in answer to digby’s question: “I’m wondering if you could give us an idea about what the Democratic party folks in the district think about Bart Stupak becoming the face of obstruction of health care reform? Do they see him as a man of principle or a stubborn ideologue?
CONNIE: Thank you all for joining us today and a special thank you to Howie, Digby and John for arranging this event. I am truly honored to have the endorsement of Blue America, and I am deeply gratified by the enthusiasm and support that my campaign is receiving. As to the question, I have heard from Democrats all over the 1st district who are outraged by Stupak’s grandstanding over the healthcare bill. They are upset because he promised to support healthcare and now is promising to vote against healthcare reform. He has stated it was about his principles, and then said it wasn’t about his views, but about his constituents. He says it’s about federal funding for abortion, but there hasn’t been any federal funding for abortion for over 30 years. They feel he is putting his own agenda ahead of theirs. The sentiment of many Dems is “I have voted for Bart in every election and I will never vote for him again.” So what is he? A man of principle or stubborn ideologue? I think his principles are confused and his behavior is that of a stubborn ideologue.”
I think Connie will beat Stupak.
Well, I don’t do what Howie, digby & John do over at Blue America, so I can’t tell you that.
What I can tell you is that Ms. Staltonstall seems to have the fire for the fight. That will mean a lot.
The fact that Bart Stupak has made some serious enemies over the way he’s handled health care is going to help her.
Let’s have the audacity to hope so.
Curious consideration:
I once heard it said that by far the main contingent of those opposed to availability of abortion are those who, themselves, are not able to produce babies.
and over the years I’ve noticed that there appears to be much truth to that observation.
Older women run the debate, while younger women vote less, also taking for granted that their privacy and right to self-determination is protected, but also covered.
If the current bill had a public option we’d at least be giving up something for something bigger, more broadly democratic. The bill that will likely pass is none of these things.
Run, Connie, Run! I’ll donate to her.
Good for you, Lynnette.
Run Connie run! When some liquidity comes my way I will most CERTAINLY send some money her way!!!
Pilgrim~ I had an experience that illustrates what you are saying. I was working a booth at a Balloon Glow for Planned Parenthood.I was a little nervous about the event as I passed about 20 Baptist churches on the way there. I though Oh Boy I will probably get some negative feedback today.
That was not the case. I had many people stop at the booth and thank us for the work we were doing from young people with babies of their own to an actual minister who had studied the statistics(our push was for appropriate sex education in area high schools).
The only person who wanted to stand and argue with me at length was a young woman whose argument was …what about those of us who can’t concieve? Duh…I was stunned. She argued that if poor young women did not have babies there would be none to adopt.
She probably thinks joblessness is good for military recruiting too!
Me too on supporting Connie!
Taylor is right the fight is being waged by older women.Women who remember the pre Roe days. She is also right that young women take rights for granted.
secularhumanizinevoluter says:
17 March 2010 at 6:05 pm
You’re the best.
I want to leave this post up at the top so people can see who she is. Feel free to open it up. Topic free for all from here on out!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, you all!
When you think about it, those who themselves can’t conceive…men, older women, nuns, etc. are often the most heavily represented in the anti-family planning brigade. Certainly many of the best feminists are men, not to be blanket-statement, but as I said, over the years, it’s something I’ve seen.
Since this is a topic free for all, Obama on Fox News:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/17/obama-tells-fox-news-procedural-spat-health-vote-doesnt-worry/
I, for one, am all for it. Worked for Hillary.
I think everyone should hold there elected officals accountable. I am wondering though, is the district where congressman Stupak represents, is it a conserative district or do you think someone like Connie Saltonstall can win this district.
Happy St.Patricks Day !!
Connie better watch her back. Stupak is one thing but she’s screwing with the Jesuits now. Peace
Oh JEEEBUS FARKIN CRISPIES onna popcicle stick with PINS THROUGH HANDS AND FEET imhopless could we once, JUST FREAKIN ONCE get through a thread without the FREAKIN CONSPIRACIES that haunt yer freakin brain?!!!!!
How do like this?…… a group of Nuns representing sixty six orders came out against the Bishops today and said they believed that the passage of healthcare would be life affirming. Go girls! While I don’t think this is a good bill good for them going against that group of old coots.
Pretty ballsey for a bunch of broads in Penguin outfits!
excellent
I’ve just looked at the remarkable interview Fox’s Bret B. did with Pres. O. B. sure didn’t let O. away with filibuster efforts. I wouldn’t say B. was disrespectful, but he was less fawning, less worshipful, less boot-licking than most interlocutors with pres.
Concur with Pilgrim. That is how ANY politician should be interviewed.
FUNNY line from one of my Rightwing chums _ (funniest because he was dead serious) ___
“See what we get by electing Obama?
Even my gawdamned Cheerios are chocolate, now.”
Seriously, dude.
secular, why does everything I say convince you that I’m talking about some conspiracy or other? Do you know stuff about things that you’ve been sworn to secrecy never to reveal? Sometimes a guy falling off his fishing boat in the middle of the bay with his hands tied behind his back and his legs weighted down by chains is just an accident. The Jesuits are an interest group just like any other interest group. Say AIPAC. Just because the Jesuits came up with the concept of Liberation Theology, then tried to overthrow every government in Central and South America is just a coindidence of history. Peace