Letter Criticizing Antiabortion-Rights Group Divides Tennessee House Republicans

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 12 Nov 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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Tennessee House Leader Jason Mumpower is drawing criticism from his GOP colleagues for attacking Tennessee Right to Life over its endorsement of the Democratic candidate in a recent state special election, the AP/Tennessean reports. Last week, Mumpower circulated a draft of a letter to Tennesssee Right to Life President Brian Harris saying that the group's endorsement of Democrat Ty Cobb would have a negative effect on future antiabortion-rights legislation. Republican Pat Marsh won the election.

Republicans are trying to gain support for an antiabortion-rights amendment to the state constitution. The letter said that Tennessee Right to Life, in its endorsement of Cobb, failed to take into consideration the impact of "behind the scenes" activity on the legislation. "These behind the scenes actions are either being ignored or maybe simply are not understood by Tennessee Right to Life," the letter said, adding, "By your own actions of supporting Democrat[ic] candidates, you are saying you hope Democrat[ic] leaders once again are in the position of power, and by your own actions you will help history repeat itself, and you will help insure pro-life legislation is defeated."

Mumpower said he drafted the letter after receiving requests from "many of our caucus members who feel Tennessee Right to Life takes for granted the support received from (Republicans) and that they are tone deaf politically." According to media reports, Mumpower last week e-mailed the letter to several House GOP members inviting them to sign their names in support. However, some of the members -- including House Speaker Kent Williams (R) and Reps. Bill Dunn (R) and Stacey Campfield (R) -- defended Tennessee Right to Life, saying the group is trying to gain more support from the 48-member Democratic caucus. Republicans will need the support of at least 15 Democrats to pass any antiabortion amendments, the AP/Tennessean reports (AP/Tennessean, 11/9).

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