Fuck yeah:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/...
Rep. Gary Peters (D-MI) is hitting back after the Michigan chapter of the anti-abortion group Right To Life posted on a website that he wants to "make sure abortion is accessible and cheap for his daughters."
"I’m proud to be the dad of two amazing teenage daughters, and I’m also proud of my record fighting to protect critical access to women’s health care," Peters said in a statement on Thursday. "Women’s health care is a serious and significant point of contrast in the U.S. Senate race, and it is outrageous that [Republican Senate candidate Terri Lynn Land’s] allies would cheapen this debate and distort my support for women’s health care. For Land’s special interest allies to include my teenage daughters in their attack crosses the line." - TPM, 3/20/14
Peters also went on to say this:
http://www.detroitnews.com/...
“To me it shows Right to Life doesn’t understand the complexity of this issue,” Peters said. “To imply, especially using the word ‘cheap,’ the implication that women are seeking cheap abortions to me is insulting — and not just to me and my teenage daughters, but to all women in this state.”
Peters made the comments at a campaign event held at Redhead Design Studio, a graphic design business in Lansing’s Old Town district. Co-owners Jen Estill and Amy Moore said they plan to offer their mostly female staff the optional insurance coverage for abortions, but they decried the new law as an intrusion into their business decisions and employees’ personal lives.
“Our employees shouldn’t have to have these conversations with us,” Moore said. “I wouldn’t want to be a male boss that had to have a conversation with a female employee about this. It’s private.”
Estill added: “It’s put health issues in the workplace in a place where they don’t need to be.”
Peters was joined by Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, who has labeled Right to Life’s law “rape insurance,” and Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum, a former Democratic state representative and outspoken abortion rights advocate.
Byrum also denounced Right to Life for mentioning Peters’ teenage daughters.
“To bring the children of a candidate in is completely appalling,” Byrum said. “They took it too far. ... And they need to be held accountable for that.” - Detroit News, 3/20/14
Not only is Peters going after Right To Life, he's going after his opponent's silence on the "rape insurance" law that recently passed:
http://www.kgw.com/...
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Gary Peters on Thursday pressed Republican Terri Lynn Land on Michigan's new abortion insurance law, saying she should come out of her "bunker" and say if she supports it.
The third-term congressman, bristling over an anti-abortion group's claim this week that he wants to make sure abortion is accessible and "cheap" for his daughters, also called on Land to denounce the statement on Right to Life of Michigan's website, which he said crossed the line.
The law took effect last week and requires residents or businesses that want insurance coverage for abortions to buy extra coverage in advance, with no exceptions for rape or incest. Land, a former secretary of state who was not involved in passing the measure, has been endorsed by Right to Life, which pushed for successful passage of the law with a citizens' initiative in the Republican-led Legislature after GOP Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed similar legislation.
"The implication that women are seeking cheap abortions to me is insulting not just to me and my teenage daughters, but I think to all women in this state," Peters told reporters during a campaign event in Lansing. "These are intensely personal, intensely difficult decisions that women make with their families, with their own physicians, particularly when pregnancies go bad and you need to have medical procedures to get through an incredibly emotional experience."
Land's spokeswoman, Heather Swift, declined to outline Land's position on the law. Instead, Swift blamed Peters for voting for the federal health care law and allowing "women to lose their doctors."
"This is just another D.C. male politician trying to lecture women, and maybe Gary Peters is used to that in Washington, but here in Michigan it doesn't fly," Swift said in a statement. - KGW, 3/20/14
And Peters is now going after Right To Life in his fundraising e-mails:
I am beyond outraged that a special interest right-wing group has decided to attack my family because of my support for women’s access to critical health care.
This attack is not only disrespectful to my daughters and my family, it demeans the progress that women have made to ensure they have the access to critical health care they and their families rely on.
This isn’t the first time that outside special interests have distorted my positions and smeared my record for their own political gain. And sadly, I’m sure it will not be the last.
That’s why I’m counting on folks like you -- my grassroots network -- to help us set the record straight. Will you contribute $5 or more right now to help us get our message out and fight back?
https://support.petersformichigan.com/...
I’m proud of my record as an independent voice for Michigan families. And I’m never going to compromise that.
Special interest groups know that -- which is why they’ve been running false ads, lying about my record. And this latest disgusting attack really crosses the line.
But I’m going to keep fighting for what’s best for Michigan families -- protecting Social Security and Medicare, helping small businesses grow and succeed, and yes, making sure that women and families have access to the critical health care they need when they need it.
I know you’re with me, and I sincerely appreciate your help. If you can, show your support by helping us reach this month’s $50,000 FEC goal, and help keep our grassroots network growing stronger.
https://support.petersformichigan.com/...
Thank you for all the support that you’ve shown me and my family. And thank you for all the work you do for our campaign.
Gary
Click here to donate to Peters' campaign:
https://support.petersformichigan.com/...