Consequences of the Coalition
Two weeks ago, Second District Congressman Mike Michaud joined 63 members of his own party and 176 Republicans to vote for the Stupak/Pitts Amendment to the Affordable Health Care for America Act.
The amendment, offered by Congressman Bart Stupak of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, forbid the “pay[ing] for any abortion or to cover any part of the costs of any health plan that includes coverage of abortion, except in the case where a woman suffers from a physical disorder, physical in-jury, or physical illness that would, as certified by a physician, place the woman in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself, or unless the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest.”
Critics on the left have called the amendment co-sponsored by Blue Dog Democrats like Brad Ellsworth of Indiana a “major setback for women’s reproductive rights.” For the majority of Democrats who believe in a woman’s right to choose, Stupak/Pitts was nothing more than a return to the dark days of coat hangers and back alley abortions.
Pro-choice activists have a right to be disappointed with Congressman Michaud, and should push the lawmaker to vote with the majority of his party on similar legislation in the future–but they shouldn’t be surprised. Stupak/Pitts was perhaps an unnecessary evil that only reemphasized the tremendous coalition that the Democratic umbrella party has become.
The 2002 race to replace outgoing Congressman John Baldacci presented an interesting paradox for political observers. In Mike Michaud, Democrats had a pro-life veteran legislator in a relatively conservative district. In Kevin Raye, Republicans had a pro-choice Washington insider who received national support from reproductive rights groups. Michaud won in a tight race, one of only a few good stories during a tough cycle for Democrats.
Though Michaud was elected under Terry McAulliffe’s reign as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, many of the 64 Democrats to vote for Stupak/Pitts represent the broad coalition of the Democratic Party constructed by former Governor Howard Dean. At the end of the day, a Brad Ellsworth or a Heath Shuler must look at the big picture and the wishes of his or her constituency.
If a non-decisive vote for Stupak/Pitts can help to ensure Congressman Michaud’s vote for meaningful healthcare reform with a public option, so be it. As a Democrat, I’m incredibly disappointed with Congressman Michaud’s vote, but realize that there are consequences to being a part of a coalition party. At the end of the day, I’d rather have a coalition party in power than an extremist party in the minority.
Perhaps that’s a lesson that the GOP can learn from.
Ben Goodman is the co-host of “Drive Time,” Eastern Maine’s favorite morning talk/variety program airing Monday-Thursday mornings on WMEB 91.9 FM. He is a sophomore majoring in political science at the University of Maine.
What an absurd ball of fluff.
Restricting government funding for abortions equates to "a return to the dark days of coat hangers and back alley abortions"??? What kind of nonsense is that?
This is pretty simple. If a woman wants an abortion, she needs to pony up the money for it herself. Government money going to such a divisive procedure is inappropriate, and the removal of monetary support has absolutely NOTHING to do with its legality.
What an absurd straw man argument, Ben.