While not a fan of too much “what have you done for me lately” sentiment, these endorsements based on longterm record are a distortion.

Similarly, US Rep. John Lewis supports Lieberman because his work with freedom riders in the early 1960’s “should be worth something”. It was, it got him to the State Senate, Attorney General, and US Senate 18 years ago. But hasn’t that chit been spent? Or invalidated by cozying up to Bush’s harmful social policies?

Support change. Crash the gate. Support Ned Lamont. http://www.nedlamont.com/contribute

Lieberman needs to go. Maybe he can start a taxi service for those poor women that need to find another hospital!

NARAL has a numerical weighting system for rating candidates for endorsement. The system is set up so that if you are an incumbent, and you are marginally pro-choice, there is no way you will not get the NARAL endorsement.

NARAL is part of the worst branch of the incumbent protection racket in D.C..

NARAL’s loyalty is to incumbents, not to what’s best for women.

1. Stopping your support of NARAL (or any other org that disappointed you on one
single issue) doesn’t send the right message. NARAL endorses 109 candidates other
than Lieberman. So you’re punishing up to 109 campaigns that you probably support
in order to chastise a single-issue PAC.

NARAL, because it is a single-issue org, does not factor in Lieberman’s record on
anything other than Choice, which aside from the ’short ride’ controversey, is
solid. Nor do they care about his rapport among democrats, since NARAL is
bipartisan and endorses pro-choice GOP candidates, too.

2. Conservative bloggers have made a great point recently: While the right spends
time blogging about follies of the left, the left is spending time blogging half
about the follies of the right, and half about the left.

Criticism is definitely healthy, but how awful is Joe Lieberman, anyway? Surely
he’s preferable to the eventual republican opponent. I’m just saying, keep your
eyes on the prize – progressive control of the House and Senate.

Don’t waste time in-fighting when there’s a greater battle to be won, that’s all I’m
saying. NARAL is there to help, so don’t turn your back on their whole effort just
because they supported a couple guys you didn’t. Ceasing your support of them
ultimately serves the GOP.

Sue,
I am also a member of CT Choice Voice (in my individual capacity) and understand your frustration. We as the CT state affiliate of NARAL Pro-Choice America do not play a role in endorsements in federal races. NARAL Pro-Choice America makes those decisions. They have an incumbency policy and have chosen to continue their support of an incumbent who they consider to be pro-choice. Beyond that, you should direct any questions to them at http://www.prochoiceamerica.org or 202-973-3000.
Regards,
Carolyn Treiss

I ended up in a hospital for a week, almost dying from my injuries.

I was 17 years old.

This was before rape crisis centers, before there were procedures in place to help rape survivors, hell, there wasn’t even a woman officer on the DC police, the FBI or the national Park police units, all who had to interview me after the rape. (I was driven into Maryland and Virginia, raped in a national park).

If I had found out three weeks later that I was pregnant, I would have killed myself.

I still lock every door, shut every window when I am alone in my home. 37 years later.

And some people think I should have carried a rapist’s child to term?

I tell you this not for sympathy, only to stand up and say that no woman should be forced to search for help after a rape, not even if it pricks the conscience of a ‘anti-birth control activist’ to allow a woman emrgency contraception.

Thank you for contacting us. As an activist, your work is at the core of our mission. We want to hear from you and appreciate the support you have given us over the years.

I have read your note, and I know you are not happy with us for endorsing Senator Joe Lieberman. Here at NARAL Pro-Choice America, we’re very proud of our high standard for endorsement. That having been said, from time to time, it does occasionally occur that a pro-choice elected official will take a position against our recommendation – and when that happens, it’s always a disappointment. Senator Lieberman’s vote (and the same votes of other fully pro-choice senators) for cloture on the controversial Alito nomination is one case in point. And his comments about emergency contraception caused us concern, as they undoubtedly did you as well – but he has since clarified his position, to our satisfaction.

But taking all facts into consideration – including many years of pro-choice votes in the Senate – we believe Senator Lieberman has continued to earn the NARAL Pro-Choice America endorsement. With so many relentless attacks on choice, and an anti-choice president determined to see this right taken away from American women forever, we must prioritize our work, and we need all the friends we can get. We treat him no differently than any other pro-choice senator – Democrat or Republican. I know we disagree on this one point, but our challenge is so monumental that I hope we can continue to stand together against our real opponents: President Bush, congressional leaders, and anti-choice senators who oppose us on every single vote.

Again, I appreciate the passion of your commitment to the fundamental freedoms we cherish. You are always welcome to contact us — with agreements and disagreements. I hope we can count on your continued support as we roll up our sleeves to achieve the common goals we share.

Best,
Elizabeth J. Shipp, Political Director
202-973-4210