Pro-Life Groups May Have to Lead Battle Against Pro-Abortion Supreme Court Pick
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
May 19, 2009
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — There is a growing feeling in the nation’s capital and within the pro-life community that pro-life groups may have to lead the fight against a pro-abortion Supreme Court pick.
With their numbers sagging and even the ability to mount a filibuster appearing to be beyond their grasp, Senate Republicans are already sounding defeatist tones. They appear to be ready to truckle to pro-life and other outside groups, which are geared up to take on Obama and his expected pro-abortion Supreme Court nominee.
Sen. Jeff Sessions, the pro-life lawmaker who is the new top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and top Republican aides appeared dispirited in recent comments to the New York Times.
“Well, the Democrats have a strong majority on the committee,” he said, referring to the fact that Senate Democrats now hold a 12-7 majority on the panel, shifting from their 11 to 8 majority before Senator Arlen Specter changed parties.
“Assuming no serious problems, we should have a good discussion about the role of a judge,” he added.
Sessions didn’t appear to believe that Obama’s nominee would be defeated unless the nominee wanted “to promote a political agenda" or had problems such as tax payment or personal issues.
Top Senate Republican aides were more frank.
“Everyone up here can see the political pieces on the board," one unnamed aide told the New York Times. “No one is talking about the possibility of defeating any nominee, barring something coming out of left field.”
“Elections have consequences; he won," another Republican Senate staffer told the newspaper. “Obviously, we’re going to stand up for our principles, but the other side has won this right to choose someone this time.”
The Republican aides and one unnamed senator, told the Times they see the upcoming Supreme Court battle as an "educational opportunity" to show the grassroots how extreme Obama is on abortion and other issues without seriously attempting to defeat the nominee.
They acknowledged that outside groups may need to lead the effort to oppose whomever Obama appointed to replace pro-abortion Justice David Souter.
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