Michigan Pro-Life Group Stays Neutral in Upcoming Presidential Primary 
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 12, 2008
Lansing, MI (LifeNews.com) — Republican voters head to the polls for another primary vote on Tuesday, this time in the state of Michigan. Despite a close race between John McCain, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee there, the state’s leading pro-life organization has voted to stay neutral and won’t be endorsing any of the candidates.
A decision by Right to Life of Michigan to back one of the candidates would give someone a serious boost heading into the Tuesday vote, but the group’s political action committee has decided to stay out of the race.
On Wednesday, the group’s PAC board voted 17-0 to not make an endorsement even though Mitt Romney’s campaign sought one and Fred Thompson has the backing of National Right to Life and other state Right to Life groups.
Larry Galmish, director of the political action committee, told the Detroit News that the pro-life organization doesn’t always weigh in on a big campaign.
"The committee just decided they wanted to stay out this year," Galmish said.
Katie Packer, a Romney campaign aide in Michigan, told the News that all of the top-tier candidates hoped to get the organization’s stamp of approval.
"Who wouldn’t want to have Michigan Right to Life’s endorsement in a Republican primary?" she said. "I think the decision to remain neutral is a recognition by Michigan Right to Life that there are other pro-life candidates in the race."
In fact, all of the candidates except Rudy Giuliani are running on a pro-life position and they have all indicated they favor reversing Roe v. Wade and letting states once again ban abortions.
A smaller Michigan pro-life group organized around a statewide pro-life initiative has already chosen to endorse Mike Huckabee’s presidential bid.
As LifeNews.com reported last month, Michigan Chooses Life PAC supports Huckabee because of his stance in favor of a Human Life Amendment to the federal Constitution.
Current polls in Michigan show a close race as three have John McCain in the lead, one has Mitt Romney ahead and Mike Huckabee is within striking distance.
