Thomas Perez, former Labor Secretary under Barack Obama, is now Chair of the Democratic National Committee.
As you may recall, during the Omaha, Nebraska mayoral race, he pompously declared all political candidates in the Democrat party must be pro-abortion. “That is not negotiable,” Perez decreed.
But was it a winning strategy in the Cornhusker State?
Going into the race, Democrat mayoral candidate Heath Mello had a long pro-life record in the state legislature. Things got interesting when the radical pro-abortion group, NARAL, became apoplectic about a pro-life Democrat. Their political tantrum caused Chairman Perez to lower the boom with his “not negotiable” remark.
Mello obediently put his tail between his legs and turned his back on Nebraska’s unborn babies.
But not everybody kowtowed to Perez’s extreme declaration. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and NY Senator Chuck Schumer, of all people, pushed back, saying there was room for pro-life Democrats. It should be noted that both are hardcore pro-abortion Democrat members of Congress.
But in the end, what matters most is how the controversy affected Omaha voters.
Pro-life Republican Jean Stothert won re-election as mayor. Unofficial results show a six-point margin of victory.
In the wake of Mello’s concession, Nebraska Democratic Party Chairwoman Jane Kleeb put the blame squarely at Perez’s feet. “It’s astounding that our party chairman would say pro-life Democrats are not welcome,” she said.
Poll after poll shows that voters nationwide give a political advantage to pro-life candidates. What probably hurt Mello’s chance even further was that he became a political prostitute who sold his soul for public office. In addition, his political future will be forever marred by this event. Turning your back on innocent preborn children is an unpardonable sin in the political realm because the candidate can never again be trusted.
Montana is holding a special congressional election on May 25. Pro-life incumbent Ryan Zinke was appointed Secretary of the Interior by President Trump. Chairman Perez offered to come into the Big Sky State to campaign for pro-abortion Democrat Rob Quist. The campaign wisely turned down the offer.
As for the abortion issue, Montana voters couldn’t have a more diverse set of candidates. Rob Quist is strongly pro-abortion and Greg Gianforte is equally pro-life. Will the abortion issue again help decide the outcome? As they say, the proof is in the pudding.
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