On Tuesday, Nebraska Republicans chose pro-life state Senator Deb Fischer as their nominee for the US Senate seat being vacated by pro-life turncoat Sen. Ben Nelson (D). Unlike Nelson who threw pro-life advocates under the bus by voting for the pro-abortion Obama healthcare law and to maintain federal funding for Planned Parenthood, Fischer promises to bring strong pro-life convictions to the Senate.
Fischer’s come-behind primary victory in the crowded Republican field was propelled by a high profile endorsement by former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who labeled her a fellow “Mama Grizzly.” Palin’s endorsement proved even more influential than that of Rick Santorum, who endorsed Attorney General Jon Bruning, and Jim DeMint, who supported treasurer Don Stenberg. Nebraska Right to Life PAC gave its nod to all four of the Republican candidates in the race, noting each held a pro-life stance.
Following Fischer’s victory, she received the endorsement of the National Right to Life Committee. “Senator Deb Fischer is a strong advocate for life,” stated Darla St. Martin, National Right to Life Co-Executive Director. “As a state senator, she voted for Nebraska’s Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, protecting babies who are capable of feeling pain from abortion. Fischer supports legal protection for unborn children, and opposes government funding of abortion.”
Nebraska Right to Life congratulated Fischer on winning the Republican nomination and said in a press release they are “ready to assist her in defeating Bob Kerrey in the general election.”
Bob Kerrey, a pro-abortion former Senator, won the Democratic nomination for Senate. Kerrey has come under fire for leaving Nebraska after finishing his time in the Senate and living for the last ten years in New York. Critics allege he only returned to the state in order to run for office. However, his pro-abortion record, which is demonstrably worse than even Ben Nelson, is even more likely to put a damper on his Senate hopes.
Nebraska Right to Life summarized Kerrey’s pro-abortion record:
“During his two terms in the U.S. Senate (1989-2000), Kerrey cast three votes in accord with National Right to Life’s positions, while he voted against National Right to Life 70 times, for a career Senate score of 4%.
Kerrey voted against the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act five times and for pro-abortion amendments to the ban twice. In 1999, he voted for the Harkin Amendment to endorse Roe v. Wade (10/21/99).
Kerrey consistently voted against limitations on the use of federal funds for elective abortions (for example, in the S-CHIP program and the federal employees’ health program). He also consistently voted against measures to protect a parent’s right to be notified before an abortion is performed on a minor daughter.”
Even Sen. Ben Nelson voted in favor of the ban on the horrific practice of partial-birth abortion. However, polls consistently showed prior to Nelson’s retirement announcement that he would have struggled significantly to retain his seat. Nelson’s support for Obamacare was integral to his falling out with the voters. Kerrey’s strident support for both abortion on demand and Obamacare will prove to be huge liabilities with Nebraska’s largely pro-life electorate.
“Bob Kerrey voted five times to keep partial birth abortion legal when he was in the U.S. Senate.” said Julie Schmit-Albin, Executive Director of Nebraska Right to Life. “We will have a presence at County Fairs and the State Fair all summer dogging Bob Kerrey on that issue and others. He will soon find how out of touch he is with Nebraskans.”
According to Rasmussen Polling, Fischer leads Kerrey 56%-38%.
Currently the US Senate features just one solidly pro-life woman- Senator Kelly Ayotte from New Hampshire. Fischer’s election would be a huge advancement for pro-life women leadership on Capitol Hill.
Sarah Palin congratulated Fischer on her primary victory telling supporters on Facebook,
“As recently as a week ago, Deb Fischer was dismissed by the establishment. Why? Because she is not part of the good old boys’ permanent political class. The message from the people of Nebraska is simple and powerful: America is looking for real change in Washington, and commonsense conservatives like Deb Fischer represent that change. I applaud Moms like Deb Fischer who are bold enough to step up and run on a conservative platform to restore America and protect our children’s future. Congratulations to the people of Nebraska. As the Huskers’ fight song goes: “The eyes of the land, upon every hand, are looking at you. Fight on for victory!”
