Connie Saltonstall's Perspective on Stupak's Annoucement That He'll Vote "Yes" On Healthcare Reform

Desperate and scared about his career longevity, Bart Stupak, sought a face saving way of being able to vote yes in the hopes of derailing Connie Saltonstall's grassroots-fueled primary. President Obama agreed to sign an executive order that reiterates the odious Hyde Amendment. Nothing new there. And Stupak, who had already been abandoned by most of his anti-Choice band, was happy to announce he would vote yes. I asked Blue America endorsed Democrat, Connie Saltonstall to share her read on his actions today.

I’m pleased that Bart Stupak has announced he will vote for Healthcare reform. This bill will create a real difference in Michigan’s First District with provisions that extend healthcare coverage to 44,000 uninsured residents, protect 1,100 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs, grow jobs by extending tax credits to small businesses, and improve Medicare for 141,000 beneficiaries, including closing the prescription donut hole.

However, it appears that there is nothing new in the executive order that wasn’t already in the Senate bill. This means Stupak’s obstructive maneuvering and threats could have been avoided and saved the Democratic party and process much time and effort. Stupak has promised to continue this fight. In the August 3rd primary, Democrats will have the choice of voting against this kind of representation. They will have a choice to vote for Connie Saltonstall who supports universal health care and allowing women the opportunity to make responsible life decisions for themselves and their families.

Please consider helping Connie to win the race for the House seat representing MI-01. You can do it here. People in northern Michigan deserve a member of Congress who has them on his mind, not his own religious hang-ups and not the insidious agenda of the C-Street cult.

The Republicans are on the floor as I write claiming the health care bill is a pro-abortion bill. They sound demented. Here's the statement today from Planned Parenthood's president, Cecile Richards:

“We regret that a pro-choice president of a pro-choice nation was forced to sign an Executive Order that further codifies the proposed anti-choice language in the health care reform bill, originally proposed by Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska. What the president’s executive order did not do is include the complete and total ban on private health insurance coverage for abortion that Congressman Bart Stupak (D–MI) had insisted upon. So while we regret that this proposed Executive Order has given the imprimatur of the president to Senator Nelson’s language, we are grateful that it does not include the Stupak abortion ban.“