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Should abortion be at the center of choosing the new DNC chairperson?

I find this emerging story very interesting and I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on this as well.....

http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/...dnc/index.html

Quote:

Roemer lashes out in DNC chairman race
Memo criticizes candidate's opposition to abortion rights

ST. LOUIS, Missouri (CNN) -- The campaign for Democratic chairman turned contentious over the weekend when Tim Roemer lashed out at criticism of his views on abortion and accused opponents of negative campaigning.

The candidate told a gathering in St. Louis that he wanted to have "a conversation" on issues but that he is "having trouble doing this because of negative campaigning and litmus tests."

His voice rising, Roemer added, "I like a good fight. But don't put my arms behind me. Give me a chance to talk about my values. And don't litmus-test me."

Roemer's comments came at the opening of a candidates' forum at the Democratic National Committee Midwest Caucus on Saturday, a week after the former Indiana congressman formally entered the race.

Roemer aides said he was angry over an opposition research memo being circulated in Washington and Democratic circles that outlined his voting record, which sometimes did not follow party lines. Aides said they did not know who wrote the memo and whether it came from a rival for the party's chairmanship.

Representatives of the other six candidates denied their campaigns distributed the memo.

Roemer's position against abortion rights was criticized last week by some party members.

Kate Michelman, former president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, a group that advocates for abortion rights, said she considered running for the job after Roemer entered the race, but opted against it.

"I will spend the next month leading a vigorous effort to ensure that when the DNC elects its new leader, it selects someone who stands forthrightly for a woman's right to choose," Michelman said.

"I will also urge DNC members to make an unequivocal statement that choice is both a fundamental value of the Democratic Party and an essential component of our winning message."

Massachusetts Democratic Party Chairman Phil Johnston said Tuesday in a written statement, "It would be extremely foolish if the DNC were to be led by a chair who agrees with the Bush administration's position on abortion."

Roemer responded Saturday, "That makes me mad. And I'm going to fight. Because I'm part of this great party."

Roemer said Democrats should learn from the Republican Party, which has allowed former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to play prominent roles. Both of them support abortion rights.

"Republicans have a big tent; why can't we?" he asked.

Other candidates rose to Roemer's defense at the caucus. Former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb said the party should remember that "George Bush is the enemy."

And former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, a 2004 presidential candidate who is also angling for the job, said, "I know something about being a target of other Democrats."

DNC members will pick a successor to outgoing Chairman Terry McAuliffe at a meeting February 12 in Washington, D.C.

The other candidates are: former Rep. Martin Frost of Texas; Simon Rosenberg, head of the centrist New Democratic Network; former Ohio state party chairman David Leland; and Donnie Fowler, a veteran party activist and campaign manager for retired Gen. Wesley Clark's presidential bid.

Now, I agree with Roemer. I don't believe in "litmus tests," as they are called, and I do think flexibility is important in a 2 party system. (If they want to be an ideologically pure party, they need to start working towards a system which makes room for MANY ideologically pure parties, or else it will simply further alienate the populace from politics.) So, what do you think? I've included a poll that was also on CNN's site. I'm wondering if the results here will be as interesting as they were when I took it there.

Shit, I'm a screw up. I answered the question in the title, rather than the question on the poll.

Yes, I think it should be an issue, but I do not think it should be "at the center."

I am strongly pro-choice, but I do not think that the DNC chairman's personal opinion on the choice issue should be deemed a critical flaw. If it is part of a pattern of conservative positions on issues, then I have cause for concern.

I can be pretty certain that any DNC chair and I are going to have different opinions on some divisive issues, but I am willing to accept some disagreements in the interest of what I think to be the greater good.

Agreed....It needs to play a role...but there are too many important issues at stake to make this front and center

Kind of sickening how much weight the pro-abortion lobby holds in the Democratic party, this is testament to it. Samething happened to my former mayor and now state Senator Norm Coleman, always caught alot of flack for being Pro-life and a Dem, that coupled with various other issues led to his defection to the Republican party.

Sorry, I fixed the poll question. Blame CNN...I took their poll question, but clearly the implied question was "do you agree with Roemer that there shouldn't be a litmus test, or do you agree with the 'other side' that there should." My bad for not noticing the confusion possible in the wording.

It's important but should not be used as the only issue to disqualify someone. The abortion issue is so politically charged though, nowadays I think if you are running for Dog Catcher, you will be asked what your position is. I heard this thinking justified on one of the political talk shows, because the Dog Catcher may move up and one day run for mayor. They wanted to weed out the anti-abortion folks before they can get started.

Damned if you do and damned if you don't.

This is a tough one. It should be an issue, but perhaps not the issue.

In my mind, the central issue should be choosing someone that appeals to the Southern states and ensuring that the Democratic party does not allow the GOP to define them in the next four years. Take the initiative. Do something!

I prefer the Democrats over the Republicans but jeez... they really couldn't organize a piss-up in a brewery.

Mr Mephisto

Absolutely not, single issue politics subverts the political process. We really need to worry more about getting good people in office rather than worring about each issue. No one agrees with anyone all of the time.

This issue is too dividing to be totally central in a decision like this.

It's got to be a litmus test. Pro Choice is sine non qua for a party line democrat, and who should be more party line that the chairman. So if not The central issue (which would be can you take back the Whitehouse and Congress), it is definitely A central Issue along the lines of redistributing the massive Bush Tax Kickback to people who need it.