Reply #36: It was Jeb's guys' idea to go public with this case [View All]

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Once again facing the prospect of Terri's death, Governor Bush tried to block the tube removal through executive and legislative powers. When that didn't work, his former adviser Ken Connor decided it was time to nationalize Terri's case—a longtime conservative fantasy. Already, religious leaders like Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention were on the airwaves, threatening political repercussions against lawmakers who failed to step up and fight for Terri. Connor reached out to U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon, a doctor and Florida Republican. In a House office, they gathered a strategy team including representatives from such pro-life groups as the Family Research Council and National Right to Life. They quickly settled on a strategy: to craft a broadly worded bill aimed at the due-process rights of disabled people like Terri, though her name wouldn't be mentioned. Meanwhile, Connor got a call from longtime friend U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida, who had heard rumors about the legislative activity. "Kitty and I have been talking about it," he told Connor, "and I feel strongly" about helping out.

…Only days before the scheduled withdrawal of her feeding tube on March 18, House and Senate negotiators still hadn't reached a compromise on a bill. Connor blew up on a phone call with a senior GOP House member: "What's the point of having Republicans in control?" he asked. "The Republican base is going to hold the House leadership accountable."…

President George W. Bush had been monitoring these developments closely. On the eve of the tube's removal, he had traveled to Florida to tout his Social Security plan. Accompanying him on the plane ride were several Florida lawmakers, including Weldon and Martinez, who pressed Bush on the Schiavo case. Though Bush "told us that he supported our efforts," says Weldon, "he said that he didn't want to get directly involved." He also wanted to ensure that whatever bill Congress crafted wasn't unconstitutional and, according to Weldon, directed the Justice Department to advise on the legislation. Later that day in Orlando, Bush briefly discussed the Schiavo case with his brother Jeb (the White House refused to provide details). Then on Sunday, Bush flew to Washington from his Crawford, Texas, ranch, expressly to sign the Schiavo bill, which he did just after 1 a.m. Monday. …

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7306432/site/newsweek/