The best is the enemy of the good.āVoltaire
I have taken some shitāin blog comment threads and in real lifeāfor my willingness to support anti-choice Democrats. My position has been and remains: any Democrat is better than any Republican. In the case of the Pennsylvania Senate race, I would go so far as to argue that any carbon-based life formāferret, sea slug, dust mite, algaeāis better than Rick Santorum. Next to Santorum, George W. Bush is a man of discerning intellect, keen thoughtfulness, and deep compassion.
I am willing to support anti-choice Democrats who have a shot at winning elections because, while I care very much about reproductive rights, I care about other things, too, things like basic human rights, access to healthcare, the environment, the social safety net, education, unchecked executive privilege, preemptive wars, and Americaās place in the world community. I believe that a Senate with a Democratic majorityāeven if some of those Senators are anti-choiceāis more likely to shape policies that reflect my views and desires on all these issues than a Senate with a Republican majority.
When it comes to politics, I am a pragmatist. This is why I really, really hope that Kate Michelman doesnāt run as an Independent. As I see it, the only thing her candidacy can do is make life a little easier for Santorum. Itās not like any of his supporters are going to vote for the former president of NARAL. Instead, she will draw the votes of people who prefer ideological purity to winning elections, people who would have grudgingly cast a vote for Bob Casey or, perhaps, have stayed home on election day.
I have little respect for a futile protest vote in any case (Nader supporters, Iām looking at you, and Iām still kind of pissed off), but itās not like there isnāt a pro-choice candidate running against Casey for the Democratic candidacy. If Michelman really wants to do something useful, she could put her muscle behind Chuck Pennacchio and help to make him a viable, electable candidate.
UPDATE Michelman has decided not to run. I guess she read this post.