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From:  The Pro-Life Infonet <[email protected]>
Reply-To:  Steven Ertelt <[email protected]>
Subject:   Wisconsin Gov Candidate Flip-Flops on PBA Ban Vote
Source:   Wisconsin Right to Life; July 25, 2002

Wisconsin Gov Candidate Flip-Flops on PBA (Partial Birth Abortion) Ban Vote

Madison, WI -- Last evening, the U. S. House of Representatives voted by a bi-partisan margin of 274 to 151 to ban the gruesome late-term partial-birth abortion procedure.

The partial-birth abortion procedure is performed in the late stages of pregnancy.  It involves dilating the cervix after which the abortionist grabs the baby by its feet and pulls the baby out of the uterus into the vaginal cavity.  The baby's head remains inside the uterus as the rest of the baby's body dangles outside the woman's body.  The abortionist perforates the baby's skull and then either crushes the baby's skull or vacuums out the baby's brain.  The dead baby is then removed from the woman's body.

Yesterday's vote was the fourth time the House has voted on and passed a ban on partial-birth abortion. Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate, Democrat Tom Barrett, has been a sitting member of congress for all of those votes.

The House first passed a ban on the procedure in 1995 with Barrett voting against the ban.  Subsequent House votes followed in 1996 and 1997 with Barrett voting to ban the procedure.  Last evening, Barrett once again reversed his position and voted  against the ban.

"We are not surprised that Tom Barrett has once again flip-flopped on this
issue," said Susan Armacost, Legislative Director for Wisconsin Right to
Life.    

"After all, he is running for governor and the Democratic candidates running in this race are tripping over themselves trying to prove to the radical pro-abortion lobby who is the most pro-abortion.  Tom Barrett and Ron Kind, who also flip-flopped on this issue by voting against the ban this time around, have demonstrated a heartlessness toward innocent human life that is truly disturbing."

Tammy Baldwin, who represents the 2nd Congressional District, was a leader
on the floor for the pro-abortion lobby and offered a "substitute" measure
that would have allowed the performance of partial-birth abortions to continue.  Wisconsin's Jerry Kleczka voted for the Baldwin measure and was joined by Kind and Barrett.  Her proposal was soundly defeated.

"Jerry Kleczka and David Obey were the wimps of the Wisconsin House delegation,"  said Armacost.  "They tried to kill the partial-birth abortion ban by voting for the Baldwin measure but knew they couldn't face the voters in their districts if they voted against final passage of the 'real' ban.  Although they  voted for final passage of the ban, their constituents need to know the full story."

Members of the Wisconsin delegation who rejected the phony Balwin "ban" and
who voted only for the "real" ban were F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., Mark Green, Paul Ryan and Tom Petri. Armacost said, "Congressman Sensenbrenner was magnificent on the House floor during the debate and Congressmen Green
and Ryan provided tremendous leadership behind the scenes.  Tom Petri's
unwavering support was also a great contribution.  We praise all of these
members of the Wisconsin delegation."

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