New York Republican Dede Scozzafava’s Campaign Funded by Pro-Abortion Groups
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 21, 2009
Albany, NY (LifeNews.com) — The New York special election for Congress has become a cause of sorts for pro-life advocates because of the intricacies involved and the need for pro-life votes in Congress. But, abortion advocates are also weighing in and they are supporting pro-abortion Republican Dede Scozzafava.
The election pits Scozzafava against Democrat Bill Owens, who is also pro-abortion, and pro-life Conservative party candidate Doug Hoffman.
Because they normally don’t have much of a chance to win and with one of the major party candidates typically having a pro-life stance, pro-life groups rarely support third party candidates.
That is not the case in New York, where pro-life groups are decidedly in Hoffman’s corner because both Owens and Scozzafava back abortion.
Now, new reports indicate abortion advocates are backing Scozzafava.
Scozzafava’s fundraising reports indicate much of her campaign’s funding has come from pro-abortion groups, with the Planned Parenthood PAC giving her $1,000 and New York Choice PAC kicking in another $2,500.
In fact, donations from liberal political groups total more than half of the money Scozzafava has received for her campaign.
Conservative party candidate Doug Hoffman raised $48,000 during that time period, with much of it coming from residents of the congressional district. Democrat Bill Owens has raised $60,000.
Scozzafava came under fire this week for calling the cops when a reporter from the Weekly Standard magazine asked her about abortion.
The Life and Liberty PAC, a conservative organization committed to electing pro- life candidates and defeating pro-abortion supporters, is one of the pro-life groups backing Hoffman.
Opening with audio of President Obama saying "an acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree," the radio spot, titled "Acorn" takes aim at "Republican" candidate Dede Scozzafava, calling her "one liberal acorn falling right from Barack Obama’s liberal tree."
Blasting Scozzafava for backing abortion "up to the day of delivery," the ad notes that Scozzafava was rated only 15 percent conservative last year.
Describing the embattled GOP candidate as "Acorn’s Choice, Not Our Choice," the spot, aimed at conservative voters, is designed to drive Republicans to Hoffman, who is closing on Scozzafava and Owens in recent polls.
"And here there are three distinct choices: a Barack Obama liberal, a left-wing so-called Republican who agrees with Obama on virtually everything, or a solid conservative ready to stand tall," he said.
Hoffman is pro-life while Owens is pro-abortion and both are vying with Scozzafava to represent the New York district that came open after an Obama appointment.
Former presidential candidate Fred Thompson has endorsed Hoffman as has the pro-life women’s group Susan B. Anthony List.
“The Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund is proud to endorse Doug Hoffman for Congress,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the group.
“He will be a passionate advocate for women and the unborn who will reflect the growing pro-life views of his district and the country," she said. "As we face the greatest threat since Roe v. Wade, abortion mandates in health care reform, Congress needs Doug’s pro-life leadership.”
“Dede Scozzafava’s support for the extreme abortion agenda is out of step with New York’s 23rd District," she said. "She already embraced the Planned Parenthood abortion on-demand agenda in the New York State Legislature, and they awarded her their Margaret Sanger Award."
"Dede Scozzafava is an abortion radical who does not represent the views of the growing majority of pro-life American women. The lives of women and their unborn babies are on the line, and the Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund is ready to defend them at the ballot box in New York and across the country," Dannenfelser continued.
Sign Up for Free Pro-Life News From LifeNews.com
Daily Pro-Life News Report Twice-Weekly Pro-Life
News Report Receive a free daily email report from LifeNews.com with the latest pro-life news stories on abortion, euthanasia and stem cell research. Sign up here. Receive a free twice-weekly email report with the latest pro-life news headlines on abortion, euthanasia and stem cell research. Sign up here.
