Division among Democrats over abortion litmus test for Bill Ritter
Re: “Women won’t ‘just get over’ reproductive freedom,” Feb. 9 Diane Carman column.
As a pro-choice Democrat and big Diane Carman fan, I find myself perplexed with my fellow Democrats, including Carman. We claim to be different from Republicans because we are open-minded and fair. We welcome diversity in all its shapes and forms. Yet here is a candidate for governor, Bill Ritter, who is pro-life and we shut the door on him quicker than you can say, “Pro-life Democrat.” Democrats need to open their hearts and minds to the pro-life stance. If we continue to ignore it or fight it, it will continue to defeat us.
Bill Ritter is an excellent candidate for Colorado governor. He is willing to work for everyone in the state regardless of differences. Now, Democrats, are you willing to do the same?
Shelley Flanagan, Denver
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Diane Carman hit the mark. Sen. Ken Salazar, who endorsed Bill Ritter for governor, has just lost me as a voter.
I don’t like litmus tests, either. But reproductive rights have been tossed into the political arena, and turned into a litmus test, like it or not. They have never belonged there. Until this country finally understands that reproductive decisions are individual matters, all sane, thinking persons will have to be sure their candidates pass the litmus test on this most basic of freedoms.
Anne Culver, Denver
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I’m an African-American, liberal Democrat who is pro-choice, but nonetheless eager for Bill Ritter to be the Democratic nominee for governor. Ritter is a man of conviction and strong principles, qualities that are woefully lacking in many of our public officials. Voters are fully capable of taking the true measure of a candidate and a person’s stance on one issue shouldn’t be a deal-breaker. Ritter believes in the rule of law and the will of the people. If I as a pro-choice Democrat trust him implicitly, our party leaders can darn well do the same. The time that the so-called “liberal wing” of the Democratic Party is spending fixated on Ritter’s pro-life stance could be better spent working diligently to ensure that this state is governed by someone who has the best interests of all citizens at heart.
Patty Powell, Denver
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Diane Carman said it exactly right – abortion is a private health issue between a woman and her doctor. I guess the right must be cheering that they have made this work for them. They have successfully tried to make everyone who is pro-choice become apologetic. I really dislike being portrayed as a one-issue woman because I am pro-choice.
I appreciate, understand and closely follow all the other issues as well, but I’m with Dottie Lamm – I will not get over it. When will people get that the more you limit abortions and marginalize those who want choice you will increase the likelihood of the deadly back-alley forays all over again?
It will be very difficult to support Bill Ritter.
Rosemary Esty, Denver
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Re: “Shelve the litmus test in party politics,” Feb. 9 editorial.
The Post’s editiorial concludes: “It’s time to put the sterile abortion debate aside and discuss the questions vital for Colorado’s future.”
I could not agree more. However, the acceptance of an anti-choice candidate is to deny many real issues affecting Colorado citizens: issues of poverty, issues of equal access to health care opportunities, issues of crime, issues of education. A family further impoverished by an unplanned pregnancy, a pregnancy created by ignorance through the denial of adequate sex education, a pregnancy due to the refusal to provide contraception or emergency contraception, a pregnancy created by violence, or a devestating diagnosis in a wanted pregnancy – all of these are real situations within our state, exacerbated by the imposition of someone’s religious beliefs on a person unknown to them.
While every abortion is regretable and tragic, there are times when an abortion is the best option for a woman, for a family, and yes, even for a developing fetus. If the women and families of Colorado cannot count on the Democratic gubenatorial candidate for equal access under the law, for sex education, for funding and access to prescriptions and abortions, then we may as well form a new party that will. Abortion, sex education, contraception and sexual violence are human-rights issues, not religious issues. We need leaders who understand this and defend the rights of existing humans.
Cristy Holden, Pagosa Springs
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