From: Watch97@aol.com
Date: Sat, 1 Jul 1995 19:17:05 -0400
Subject: Christian Coalition vs. Mothers?

From: Paula Xanthopoulou, Editor of "c.c.watch," an independent newsletter
which monitors the Christian Coalition and its fellow travelers
Subject: OP-ED Submission
Date: June 30, 1995

"Whose Mother is He Talking About, Anyway?"

His hair was slicked back and he looked more together than usual since
unveiling his so-called "Contract with the American Family."  And he spun his
web seamlessly--"seamless web" being one of his favorite expressions--as
usual.  And as usual the reporter's questions were deferential to the point
of major disappointment. But does Christian Coalition (CC) Executive Director
Ralph Reed think that the American public is that dumb?

On last Sunday's "Meet the Press" broadcast,  Bob Schieffer asked Mr. Reed if
the defeat of the Dr. Henry Foster nomination was a big victory for the CC?
"Not really," he said.  It was "unfortunate" and "regrettable" he added, and
"We would have liked never to have been involved in this." Furthermore, the
CC had forwarded it's agenda to Congress with the "Contract" and "did not
make this nomination the top legislative priority." 

Who is he kidding? Not Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). Maybe she saw the faxes
that the CC sent from its fax broadcast headquarters to its members,
screaming "VOTE TODAY AND TOMORROW ON HENRY FOSTER" (6/21#1) and HUGE VICTORY
IN FIRST CLOTURE VOTE/TO THE SENATORS WHO VOTED FOR CLOTURE, EXPRESS YOUR
DISPLEASURE (6/21 #2). The Christian Coalition was hardly low-key about the
Foster nomination. 

In any case, Senator Murray responded to Reed's performance by telling
Schieffer that the CC's Congressional maneuverings, especially as regard
abortion, are "really a stealth contract." She told it like it is. Most
people are focused on the grandly-marketed, user-friendly "Contract with the
American People" while Reed and his not so slick fellow travelers focus on
their real priorities--attacking abortion, for example, on every possible
front. Attack! Attack! Attack! They won't stop attacking until there is no
abortion...or until they are stopped.  Ralph Reed may talk about how
"mainstream" his agenda is, but you can bet that he still counts body bags
before he goes to sleep.

The "religious right" and its beholdin' Congressional allies are trying to
pass any kind of possible legislation that makes any aspect of abortion
illegal. In fact, the pro-life forces "began to hold regular strategy
sessions" months ago, and have "drafted much of the legislation and strategy
for passing it." (NY Times, 6/19). They are working on a number of
possibilities including stopping abortions at overseas military hospitals,
repealing Title X, impacting medical training, defunding the UN Fund for
Population Activity, limiting Medicaid benefits, stopping fetal tissue
research and testing of RU-486, cutting abortion relief for federal
employees, and banning/criminalizing rare and specialized late term
abortions--all of which deprive women of fundamental rights. As the
self-righteous Reed tells it, the CC position on abortion has been "clear,
consistent and unequivocal" as regards "the sanctity of innocent human life."
And he lines up with Mother Theresa on this issue, just to be on the safe
side.

The defeat of the Foster nomination was painful for every socially-conscious
American, but just minutes after the smoke had cleared there was light at the
end of the tunnel. Since Ralph Reed demanded last March that Bill Clinton
withdraw the Foster nomination or face "the mother of all confirmation
battles," there have been signs that the CC has pushed too much too soon. Now
Commander Reed promises "the mother of all wake-up calls" if Bill Clinton
makes abortion THE issue in the '96 election campaign."

Yes, the conservative majority is currently rolling along at a frightening
pace, especially in the House.  But Senator Murray, and her female Senatorial
colleagues are not going to roll over and play dead for any exclusive
interest group, so-called "Christian" or otherwise...or play the "old boy"
game just like their colleagues. They are going to continue to tell it like
it is, putting the issues on the table with a voice that is not "business as
usual." They are not part of any majority in Congress; but they are part of a
greater majority. It's mind-boggling to imagine what might happen if women
play a major political role in the coming fifteen months. Women who believe
in an inclusive, socially-conscious America and are fired up could be the key
to stopping the Christian Coalition. Yes, they could. And that includes
Mothers!

The mother of all wake-up calls?  Mr. Reed should have left Mother out of
this.

Copyright 1995 Public-Spirited Enterprises
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