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In reply to the discussion: Sanders stumps for Mello in Omaha, stirs national debate about definition of a progressive [View all]Omaha Steve
(98,872 posts)34. Hillary was OK with Kaine and his anti-abortion past
Seems there is a double standard here.
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/tim-kaine-abortion-predicament-225053
But he hasnt always advanced policies directly in line with those of abortion rights advocacy groups. He pledged in his 2005 gubernatorial campaign to reduce the number of terminated pregnancies in the state by promoting adoption and abstinence-focused education. That cycle, the state NARAL chapter ripped Kaines GOP opponent, Jerry Kilgore, as an extremely anti-choice candidate but still withheld its endorsement of Kaine because he embraces many of the restrictions on a womans right to choose.
In a 2007 NARAL scorecard, Kaine was described as a mixed-choice governor and his state got an F grade thanks in part to a number of laws and other policies restricting access to abortions. Two years later, Kaine upset both local and national reproductive rights groups by signing a law that authorized the sale of customized Choose Life license plates. Kaine argued he was supporting free speech, but his critics complained that the law would fund pro-life organizations and didnt square with another very important hat that he was wearing at the time: Obamas personally picked head of the Democratic National Committee.
Kaine brings many other attributes as a running mate, including a widely respected reputation for bipartisanship, after serving just under four years in the Senate, and his own proven political chops winning three straight statewide races in the critical battleground of Virginia. But the hot button issue of abortion, where he has a much more nuanced stance than many of his fellow Democrats, is the baggage he carries.
People use labels all the time, Kaine explained in a recent interview on NBCs Meet the Press, an exchange emblematic of the challenge he faces in talking about a politically volatile topic where his religion conflicts with his policy stance. Im kind of a traditional Catholic. Personally, Im opposed to abortion, and personally, Im opposed to the death penalty.
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Sanders stumps for Mello in Omaha, stirs national debate about definition of a progressive [View all]
Omaha Steve
Apr 2017
OP
I'm sick of this shit. Now we're supposed to back pro-lifers. Some progressive you got there, Bernie
brush
Apr 2017
#1
Ossoff only needed 3600 more votes, that's how close it was. It's not only that...
George II
Apr 2017
#2
But if you accept some real harsh realities about who some of these people really
Eliot Rosewater
Apr 2017
#101
We have no D from NE in Congress Heath winning mayor puts Omaha back in play (long game)
Omaha Steve
Apr 2017
#3
Are you serious? There was an opportunity to gain an IMMEDIATE seat in Congress in Georgia
brush
Apr 2017
#6
I think Omaha Steve is right: he was probably asked not to campaign in Georgia.
femmedem
Apr 2017
#31
Please, please, please stop blaming Hillary. This is Bernies job, not her's
all american girl
Apr 2017
#40
True, but my point is that it may be issues, more than elections - as he did on healthcare
karynnj
Apr 2017
#64
Or, he was asked a question for which everything depends on what your definition of "progressive is"
karynnj
Apr 2017
#73
No, the only definition of progressive that's relevant in this situation is Sanders', not mine
Demit
Apr 2017
#83
It is a SENATE leadership position, Schumer broke the position Senator Klobuchar had in half
karynnj
Apr 2017
#68
Jane Kleeb was very outspoken last year against our Presidential candidate even AFTER...
George II
Apr 2017
#79
Puhlease! Bernie has done more to help the Democratic Party than any other leader in recent memory.
InAbLuEsTaTe
Apr 2017
#80
Funny how those who often speak out against so-called "purity tests" whenever any sort of objection
WIProgressive88
Apr 2017
#7
People who violated women's civil rights are not 'good' Would you call people who
Demsrule86
Apr 2017
#75
If someone feels abortion is murder then they shouldn't have one. Problem solved. n/t
tammywammy
Apr 2017
#108
The problem isn't support for Mello over the republican, in spite of his anti-choice positions,
still_one
Apr 2017
#15
Women health rights are not a purity test, the are human rights. What is so hard to understand about
all american girl
Apr 2017
#16
It's also funny that people conflate a platform with purity tests when convenient to their own bias.
LanternWaste
Apr 2017
#61
This shows that Sanders is not demanding purity or even progressives since Mello is not progressive
JI7
Apr 2017
#12
Smears aside, Kaine has a 100% LIFETIME rating from NARAL & Planned Parenthood. n/t
FSogol
Apr 2017
#57
so the definition of a progressive is flexible, and includes anti-abortion candidates
Fast Walker 52
Apr 2017
#27
he sounds bad, but I am a fairly big tent Democrat and am ok with different types of Dems
Fast Walker 52
Apr 2017
#82
I can understand support for Mello over the republican, in spite of his anti-choice positions,
still_one
Apr 2017
#13
I'm getting everything second-hand. Mello's record, according to another article, doesn't sound good
JCanete
Apr 2017
#23
We have limited resources...a race like the mayor race when we need all hands on deck
Demsrule86
Apr 2017
#92
I don't see how this is part of the plan...unless the plan is to piss off women
Demsrule86
Apr 2017
#98
How many of yall read the article - tired of this either-or bs. One can have personal beliefs that
Kashkakat v.2.0
Apr 2017
#41
My part of the conversation: believe what you want but don't force your beliefs on others.
Demit
Apr 2017
#66
Campaigning for an anti-choice Dem while ignoring the most progressive candidate seen in years
Foamfollower
Apr 2017
#48