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Strong statements in Deval Patrick’s endorsements by women’s groups

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As has already been reported, Deval Patrick picked up the endorsements of NOW, Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund, and NARAL today.  What struck me was the strong language in some of the endorsements.

Melissa Kogut, Executive Director of NARAL of Massachusetts said, “Kerry Healey misled us four years ago on the current administration’s commitment to a woman’s right to choose. With so much at stake for reproductive rights, we need a governor who will be a leader for women’s reproductive freedom.  Deval Patrick will be that kind of leader.  We are proud to endorse him today.”

Like I said.  But check this next one out.  I don’t recall hearing this before — anyone got some backup?

Terri Febo, Co-President of the Massachusetts Chapter of NOW, cited stem cell research as an example of the Romney-Healey administration “putting politics ahead of science.”  “Mitt Romney himself said that Kerry Healey convinced him to veto the stem cell research bill, but now she claims to be a supporter,” Febo said. “The promise of stem cell research in treating a host of diseases is vitally important.  We need a leader on these issues, not another obstructionist who puts politics ahead of science.  This is just one of the many reasons that we are supporting Deval Patrick for Governor.”

Wow, is that bit about Healey convincing Romney to veto the bill really true?  If so, Kerry Healey is in deep, deep doo-doo.

Anyone got anything?

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Comments

    • Use a spoon; you won’t have to dig very far. 

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      Mass NOW is practically a wing of the DNC.  They’re like the NTA. They endorse a straight party ticket.  Look at their Senators they’ve endorsed.  Yep, even Senator Wilkerson

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      Sen. Ed Augustus – 2nd Worcester
      Sen. Jarrett Barrios – Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex
      Sen. Cynthia Creem – 1st Middlesex and Norfolk
      Sen. Susan Fargo – 3rd Middlesex
      Sen. Pat Jehlen – 2nd Middlesex
      Sen. Pam Resor – Middlesex and Worcester
      Sen. Karen Spilka – 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk
      Sen. Dianne Wilkerson – 2nd Suffolk

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        • Here’s NARAL’s endorsements for legislative candidates in November:

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          Gale Candaras (D-Wilbraham),
          Sen. Bob Havern (D-Arlington),
          Sen. Dianne Wilkerson (D-Boston),
          Sen. Harriette Chandler (D-Worcester),
          Claire Naughton (D-Foxborough),
          Rep. Smitty Pignatelli (D-Lenox),
          Rep. Mark Falzone (D-Saugus),
          Rep. Ben Swan (D-Springfield),
          Willie Mae Allen (D-Boston).

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          Continual straight party endorsement really hurts an organization’s credibility.

          • So there’s this funny thing that happens with organizations that push an agenda, they only endorse candidates who support that agenda.

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            Why would NARAL support Republicans when they oppose NARAL’s agenda? You may recall that:
            -The GOP has nominated several anti-choice justices over the past few years.
            -You may have heard about the GOP supported ballot initiative in Kansas.
            -You may recall Mitt Romney going flippity floppity on the issue.
            -Maybe you remember George Bush pulling international aid money away from groups that even mention the word “abortion”.

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            There are many other groups that endorse across party lines because people from both parties can exhibit leadership (eg-environment, fiscal responsibility, etc.) but if the party line is to vehemently act in opposition to a group’s agenda do you really think they have many opportunities to endorse?

            • The Special Interests I named endorse Democrats.  That’s that. You know it. I know it.  I got no problem with it. It’s not news.  Who’d have expected anything different?  I have no idea why reporters even bothered to show up. 

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              Headlines!  Water is wet.  NOW endorses Democrats.

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              The MTA, NEA, NARAL, NOW pony up their endorsement. If you, the voter, have some concerns that perhaps differ with the Special Interests, then stand in line … behind the Special Interests.

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          • That isn’t the whole story – NARAL endorsed way more that 9 candidates. Infact, their full list for November includes Rep. Sue Pope (R), and Sen. Richard Tisei (R).

            • In an atmosphere of uncertainly, a Republican endorsement would be expected. 

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              But there is no atmosphere of uncertainty with the special interests: NEA, MTA, NARAL, NOW endorse Democrat.

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              All the “oh here’s Bill Weld in 1990” and “Oh look! Here’s another Republican” is just diversion from what you and I know.  The Special Interests endorse Deval Patrick and the Democrats.  Not news.

  5. You can see the story here

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    Exact quote is:
    And Romney recently credited Healey with raising concerns that stem cell research could exploit women.

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    Romney told reporters: “I have listened to her on that and have also found that compelling.”

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    Healey said that’s a reflection of her close working relationship with Romney.

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    “I’ve been really blessed because I do work so closely and easily with the governor,” she said. “While the governor and I may start from different points in a discussion, we usually end up at the same place.”

    • Article quoted Romney to say: 

      “And Romney recently credited Healey with raising concerns that stem cell research could exploit women.  Romney told reporters: “I have listened to her on that and have also found that compelling.”

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      Terri Febo says: 

      Mitt Romney himself said that Kerry Healey convinced him to veto the stem cell research bill, but now she claims to be a supporter.

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      Very deceptive and dishonest turn of a phrase by Ms. Terri Febo, if Ms. Febo is using the cited article as the basis for her statement.

  6. So here’s how she explains the flip-flop:

    He said Healey noted a newspaper opinion piece raising concerns that women could suffer physically if they repeatedly harvested their eggs for research. O’Brien said that concern, as well as Romney’s concern about somatic transfer, were subsequently allayed in conversations with doctors and scientists.

    In other words, she made her efforts to understand the issue AFTER she made the policy decision.

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  7. Healey’s team responded with a press release here, that includes the following gem:

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    “Are we supposed to act surprised when Deval gets the endorsement of the Massachusetts Teachers Association or the Coalition for Higher Taxes and Record Spending?”

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    Are they for real?  It’s like a Saturday Night Live skit or something.  Honestly, how can anyone take them serious?

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    That’s all from here- I’m off to my CHTRS meeting…

  8. …since they refused to support pro-choice GOP Sen. Joanne Sprague against Steve Lynch.

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    They got their last check from me until they show they are about MASSACHUSETTS choice instead of just national.  They were too chicken to take on Finneran about EC as a for example.

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