Anti-abortion militants from Operation Rescue used a tactic they usually reserve for abortion providers when they protested outside the home of Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) for his supposed betrayal of the antiabortion cause.
The New Year's Day protest featured the so-called Truth Truck -- which is decorated with depictions of giant bloody fetuses. The event attracted only seven people in the deep cold, but the protest may indicate that there is no substantial increment in antiabortion policy good enough for at least militants, and maybe much of the movement.
A press release, said that Operation Rescue planned to "show the results of taxpayer funded abortion," and denounced Nelson as a "Pro-life Traitor." The group said that Nelson's famous amendment to the heatlh care reform bill does not adequately segregate private from public funds in insurance plans that cover abortion. They call it an accounting trick, and further accuse Nelson of taking a kickback in the form of special Medicaid funding for Nebraska in exchange for his vote.
Nebraska militant Larry Donlan of Rescue the Heartland said:
"We will no longer tolerate betrayal of politicians who pretend to be pro-life. If you betray the innocent blood of the babies you have promised to protect, we will vote you out on Election Day. It's as simple as that."
Troy Newman of Operation Rescue, who lives in Wichita, Kansas claimed:
"Nebraskans do not want the blood-money that the Democrats promised in exchange for Nelson's vote approving abortion funding. When our elected representatives refuse to represent the will of the people in favor of their own interests, then it is time to rebuke them and kick them out."
The press release goes on to assert:
Nelson’s vote for taxpayer funded abortion is extremely unpopular in his home state. Pro-life groups like Donlan’s, including Nebraska Right to Life and Nebraskans United for Life, that supported Nelson in the past have considered his deal a betrayal.
So.
After all the pandering to get a bill that would satisfy the antiabortion movement Sen. Nelson may very well be targeted by the full range of anti-abortion groups when he runs for re-election.
[Crossposted fromTalk to Action]