Sunday, May 30, 2010
Much ado about nothing...
...is how I see the tempest over Patrick Murray's views on abortion. This is the 8th district people. This issue is NOT a priority for most of the voters in the 8th one way or the other. Can we please focus on more important issues, like fiscal issues and defense issues? Maybe even the competence and experience of the candidates? There is a real chance to beat Jim Moran this year, let's not waste it. Patrick is the more broadly-experienced, articulate, personable candidate by a large margin. I like Matthew Berry, but have you seen him speak in public? Seen the debates thus far? I have concenrs about how he'd handle the stage with Jim Moran. No concerns with Murray. The worst thing you can say about the Murray campaign is that they haven't updated and fact-checked their mailers. While bad, that's a common mistake.
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5 comments:
If you act as a pro-life crusader in the 8th as Matthew Berry has done, you might as well say "I do not want to even be close in November."
Patrick Murray calls for overturning Roe v. Wade and letting the constitution remand the issue back to the states - a more strategic position for the 8th.
I am surprised the Murray campaign hasnt held Berry accountable for his crusading in favor of gay marriage. That would seem a good push back for Murray who supports traditional marriage.
I was at the 8th district convention and two things stood out to me. The first was Berry's proclamation, "I am pro-life." I've heard him mention that he has crossover appeal. It's kind of tough to reconcile the two, especially with Democrat women.
The second thing that stood out was Mr. Murray's presence. His stage presence and ability to connect with audiences far exceeds that of Mr. Berry. That might be handy in November.
Exactly... Patrick Murray has Gravitas. Matt Berry does not. And I agree that being rabidly pro-life in the 8th is a killer.
Last week, I posted something on this on my site. Here's the abridged version.
A Gallup Poll released recently confirmed a trend observed for the first time last year that more Americans identify themselves as “pro-life” than “pro-choice.” Now, before the social conservatives crack open the champagne, let me offer a cautionary note.
Despite the recent polling numbers, virtually unchanged over the thirty five years the poll has been conducted is the solid majority that believes abortion should be legal under certain circumstances. So whichever of these vague labels one may be willing to take, the fact that one identifies himself as “pro-life” does not mean his attitude toward access to abortion has changed.
Pro-life and pro-choice are not mutually exclusive. One can believe that abortion is morally wrong, but realize that reasonable minds can differ – just as they do with regard to other religious beliefs.
Aside from being the sensible thing to do, it allows socially conservative Republicans to court votes on both sides of the aisle without looking like the anti-abortion jihadists they have in the past.
Excellent points, Lloyd. There's a difference between "pro-life" as in taking the decision away from citizens, and being "pro-life" in the sense that you would never condone it personally, but you understand that it's not the business of the government to interfere in that decision process.
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