I read this diary and think it dishonestly elides the question of whether Heath Mello is anti choice. In particular I found this quoted passage truly dishonest:
[Ilyse] Hogue [of NARAL] , on the other hand, seemed much more relaxed about Kaine. “I don’t think we’re in the business of thought policing,” Hogue told Katha Pollitt in July. “I’m okay with people having their own ideas as long as they don’t prevent other people from exercising their right.”
This is of course the very essence of the pro choice position — it is the individual’s choice. I don;t care if a politicians is pro-abortion, whatever that is supposed to mean, I care whether a politician is pro-choice. My understanding is Mello is not. If he is, then that should be made clear by his defenders. From the quoted article:
So it’s Tim Kaine. Sigh. Like Mario Cuomo, Kaine is one of those Catholic politicians who says he is personally opposed to abortion but supports women’s right to choose.
Is that Mello’s position? My understanding is it is NOT. I am happy to be corrected if I am wrong. [Note: I’m told that in the wake of this controversy. Mello has stated he is pro choice.]
Now on the question of whether the Democratic Party should be a big tent on choice, I anger many of my friends by saying that if you believe in a 50 state strategy, and I believe in it in the short term (to be honest, my hope is we don’t have to tolerate some positions — choice, guns to name 2 in the longer term) the practical requires it.
But what about Daily Kos itself, which is the subject of these recriminations? I actually don;t agree that Daily Kos should be supporting anti choice or pro gun candidates. Let them find support from people who are ok with that, I’m not personally and won’t lend financial or other support to such candidates. But I am on a lonely island in that view.
Not supporting candidates who I disagree with on core issues does not mean I do not want them to win their general election races. Of course I do. I’m just not going to lend them my support. I’d vote for them if they are my choice in a general election over any Republican of course. But that’s different, in my view, than supporting them. But I certainly would never begrudge the Democratic Party supporting them. That’s their business. That’s what they have to do.
And I respect everyone’s right to draw their own personal lines for when they will not support a candidate. If it is Glass Steagall. or $15/hour minimum wage, or trade. That’s YOUR right.
But I don’t respect them not voting for the Democrat over the Republican in the general election though.