Chip Saltsman Makes Pro-Life Republican Party Chairman Candidacy Official
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 8, 2008
Nashville, TN (LifeNews.com) — Chip Saltsman, the former chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party and the campaign manager for pro-life presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee, made his bid for the chairmanship of the national GOP official on Monday. The race is important because it can influence the direction of the party on pro-life issues.
With several elected officials at his side, Saltsman held a press conference and said the GOP must continue its strong pro-life stance on abortion despite Barack Obama’s victory last month.
He said pro-life candidates lost on Election Day not because of the their stances, but because of the party’s position on other issues that upset voters.
He said the “problem maybe is that our actions have spoken louder than our words. People have been confused about what Republicans stand for.”
Saltsman reiterated that Republican candidates should emphasize the party’s pro-life position to appeal to voters.
According to a Times Free Press news report, the elected officials with Saltsman praised him for helping candidates win at the state legislative level and helping prevent pro-abortion presidential candidate Al Gore win Tennessee, his home state, and the presidency.
Saltsman faces a crowded field for the GOP chairmanship and other candidates who take a pro-life position on abortion.
Saul Anuzis, the pro-life Michigan GOP chair, is also a candidate for the party’s top national post, as is pro-life South Carolina GOP chair Katon Dawson, who has the backing of American Family Association president Donald Wildmon.
Former Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele is also in the race — though some have criticized him for not taking a strong enough pro-life position. Others say he has repeatedly proven his pro-life credentials.
Steele and Dawson have urged the GOP to retain its strong pro-life position.
The party’s current chairman, pro-life advocate Mike Duncan of Kentucky, has launched an outreach campaign to keep his job.
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