ELECTION 2008 NEWS

While Republicans were suffering loses all over the country, pro-choice Republicans were sailing through to re-election.

Let me add emphasize right upfront that we did re-elect all but one of our pro-choice House members -- great legislators like Mark Kirk and Judy Biggert who won even though they ran in Obama's home state of Illinois...no small feat.....and Mike Castle who ran in Joe Biden's home state of Delaware. 

Then there is also Charlie Dent in Pennsylvania, Rodney Frelinghuysen in New Jersey, Brian Bilbray and Mary Bono Mack in California. 

All of these folks won in states the GOP lost.  Only Shelley Moore Capito was re-elected in West Virginia which the GOP also won.

So the strength of our GOP pro-choice victories is even more impressive!!

While pro-choice Republicans lost one of our strongest allies, Chris Shays in CT -- we actually picked up 3 new pro-choice members in challenger races -- Leonard Lance in NJ, Lynn Jenkins in KS, and Steve Stivers in OH. 

Most cheerful of all is the re-election of Senator Susan Collins of Maine after a very tough race.

But the best news of all....decisive ballot victories on all
4 state initiatives!!

Let's be clear about this -- the pro-choice side on each of these initiatives won!

Now our challenge is to build on these victories and take the GOP back to its roots of fighting government interference in our lives... in the lives of both men and women!

Our membership asked that we concentrate on these issues even
to the detriment of diverting resources from candidates and our
efforts paid off:

California Proposition 4:
Abortion restriction

Parental notification - This measure would have amended the state constitution to require physicians to notify the parents or legal guardian of a pregnant minor at least 48 hours before performing an abortion involving that minor.

The measure did not require that parent or guardian's actual consent in order to perform the abortion. Exceptions are provided in the cases of medical emergencies.

Also, an adult family may be notified instead if the minor fears abuse from the parent or guardian. Parents may also waive the notification requirement.

Colorado Amendment 48:
Fetus as Human Life from Moment of Conception

Fetus as Person - This measure would have amended the state constitution to define the term "person" to include "any human being from the moment of fertilization."

This definition would have applied to all aspects of the state constitution, including the provisions that ensure that no person has his or her life, liberty, or property taken away without due process of law.

Thus, the measure would have essentially had the effect of banning abortion.

Michigan Proposition 2:
Pro-Stem Cell Research

Stem Cell Research - This measure would have amended the state constitution to permit human  embryonic stem cell research with certain restrictions.

The embryos must have been created for fertility treatment purposes; they must have been otherwise discarded; and they may not be used more than 14 days after cell division has begun.


South Dakota Initiative 11:
Abortion Ban - Deja vu all over again..

Abortion Ban defeated AGAIN - RFC worked on this in 2006 as well - This measure would have prohibited all abortions in the state except in cases where mother's life or health is at risk or in cases of rape or incest for pregnancies of less than 20 weeks.

A similar measure that did not include exceptions for rape or the health of the mother was on the ballot in 2006, but was rejected by voters 44 to 56 percent.


The GOP may have lost the Presidency to the Democrats but there were major wins for the GOP pro-choice majority in the Party!

 

 

———————————————————————————


You must look past the Party Label if you care about electing pro-choice officials!

———————————————————————————

click here to e-mail us



Click here for more news & press releases


Republicans for Choice |205 South Whiting Street, Suite #260 | Alexandria, VA 22304
(703) 212-0890 | gop4choice@erols.com

"This Republicans For Choice committee is a political action group and is not a part of, or affiliated with, Planned Parenthood."