GRTL Uses Poor Analogy, But Handel is Still Not Worthy of Pro-Life Endorsement

Handel is firing back at Georgia Right to Life executives who have refused to endorse her because of some of her views on life issues. In a news story in Politico this week, GRTL PAC Executive Director Melanie Crozier questioned Palin’s endorsement of Handel and said that “[Palin] has a son with Down’s Syndrome, and under Karen Handel’s laws, Handel would have felt like it was ok to go in and abort that child.”

I feel like this was a poor analogy and wording by Melanie Crozier, but before everyone follows Handel's screams for Crozier's ouster, let's look at exactly what she said and consider the context in which she spoke. Melanie first simply pointed out a fact that Sarah Palin's son has Down's Syndrome. I see nothing wrong with that. Then she mention's "Karen Handel's laws." What is she talking about here? Well, in a life site news article written on June 3rd, Dan Becker, the Georgia Right to Life president, tells LifeNews.com, "Handel proclaims herself pro-life; however, she does not meet the 21st century demands of being pro-life. For instance, Handel believes that a child may be aborted based on its manner of conception. When I asked her directly her thoughts on the value of embryos, she answered that she does not believe that an embryonic human is a child," Becker said.

Karen Handel is supportive of abortion in cases of rape, incest, and health of the mother. On the other hand, her competitor for Georgia governor makes the only exception in the case that the mother's life is in danger. Although Sarah Palin's pregnancy does not fit any of those exceptions, Handel's interpretation of the value of life is dependent on the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy. In cases of rape and incest, the health of the mother may not be in danger. What justification is there then for killing the baby? When people allow acceptions based on the circumstances it is not a far stretch to imagine that they soon too would accept killing babies that would also appear to be born under other difficult circumstances. Although I follow Melanie Crozier's logic, and agree with it, I think she definitely misspoke when trying to explain her position.

Full disclosure, I am supporting Nathan Deal in the GA republican race for governor because I do not trust Handel and her positions on the most important social issues: the protection of life and family. In addition to her views on abortion in cases of rape and incest, I have serious concerns about her apparent belief that a human embryo is not a child. I have a serious problem with her funding of programs through Planned Parenthood. I have serious questions about her dedication and resolve to protect the institution of marriage considering her support of gay group Log Cabin Republicans. I must note that Handel has since denied the claim about supporting Log Cabin Republicans, she has tried to explain her funding of Planned Parenthood (rather unsuccessfully I might add), and she continues to say she is "staunchly and unequivocally" pro-life.

The question is what and who do you trust. Honestly, I'm not sure I fully trust any politician, but I certainly don't trust Handel. She has run a campaign primarily based on attacks some of which I feel were honestly uncalled for and mean spirited. Her answers to direct questions on social issues reflect at best a lack of interest or knowledge, and at worst poor moral ideals. She knows that social issues are very important to a large percentage of social conservative republicans like myself, and I believe that she knows she must get the social conservative vote to win the nomination. Personally, I don't buy what she is trying to sell. While I might agree with her that Crozier's analogy was poor, I do not agree with her campaign to force Crozier and Becker to resign from GRTL. Based on comments I've read from Handel, she seems to be very bitter and unpleasant. Although a good personality isn't completely necessary in running a state, I think it does call into question her character. This also brings into question her judgement and how she would work to resolve problems. It is for these reasons that I endorse Nathan Deal for Governor of Georgia. Did you hear that AJC?