Jill Stanek, the nurse who exposed the practice of live-birth abortions that resulted in pro-life legislation signed by President George W. bush, is the latest pro-life leader to endorse the presidential campaign of Rick Santorum.
“I met Rick Santorum in 2000 when as U.S. senator he sponsored the Born Alive Infants Protection Act,” Stanek said today. “Senator Santorum also sponsored the Partial Birth Abortion Ban, when during Senate debate he discussed my testimony. So I have always had a soft spot for Rick Santorum, but not only for his vast pro-life record, about which I’ve only scratched the surface.”
“I am confident Rick Santorum would be able to draw Barack Obama out on the president’s radical position on abortion like no other. Senator Santorum can take credit for perhaps the most significant debate on abortion in U.S. political history, when he drew pro-abortion Senator Barbara Boxer into their infamous “toe” conversation,” Stanek said. “I am proud to endorse Senator Rick Santorum for President of the United States.”
Stanek said she support the former Pennsylvania senator for his “ability to passionately and persuasively articulate the pro-life message, most often missing in politics.”
“Also dear to my heart is Rick and Karen Santorum’s personal commitment to the sanctity of human life, from doing all they could to save the life of preborn son Gabriel, to welcoming handicapped daughter Bella into their family of seven,” Stanek said.
Stanek said she “parts company” with Santorum over his endorsement of pro-abortion Senator Arlen Specter against pro-lifer Pat Toomey in 2004 — for which Santorum has apologized and said it was a mistake despite the need for Specters support in his own re-election battle two years later.
“But it is true that Specter held to his word and went on in his critical position as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2005-07 to pave the way to confirm Supreme Court Justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito,” Stanek said. Santorum has said Specter’s commitment to supporting these pro-life-friendly judges was another reason he supported his colleague.
Stanek joins Penny Nance, President and CEO of Concerned Women for America who recently issued an endorsement for Santorum in her personal capacity.
They are two key endorsements for Santorum following this weekend’s meeting of evangelical and social conservative leaders that had them supporting his campaign.
