xpost Stupak opponent stays in race, vows to fight for single payer system

Connie Saltonstall, the Charlevoix Democrat who announced she would challenge Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) after he threatened to hold up health care reform over abortion, thanked Stupak for voting in favor of health care reform yesterday but indicted that she will continue to campaign against him.

In a statement this morning Saltonstall said, “Mr. Stupak’s dogmatic insistence on inserting his own religious views into the legislative debate and threatening to deprive his constituents of needed healthcare reform has eroded people’s trust in him. Throughout this debate there is the sense that our Congressman has let us down.”

“The healthcare debate should never have been sidetracked into an abortion debate,“ Saltonstall said. For more than 30 years, the Hyde amendment has assured that there is no federal funding for abortion and this bill includes that provision; there will be no federal funding for abortion.”

“This is not a perfect bill. I believe universal healthcare is a right, not a privilege or a luxury. When I get to Congress, I will continue to fight for a single payer system which I believe is the most efficient and cost effective way to deliver healthcare to all. Quality healthcare also allows women the opportunity to make responsible life decisions for themselves and their families.”

http://michiganmessenger.com/35998/stupak-opponent-stays-in-race-vows-to-fight-for-single-payer-system

The fact that the bill passed and Stupak voted for it will undercut the currency of a lot of her arguments to voters. Bottom line is that most of his constituents probably support his stance re:abortion.

"Saltonstall, a former teacher and Charlevoix County commissioner who ran for the state House in 2008, said she realizes that if she wins, it could hurt the Democrats' chances of retaining the seat in what many consider a conservative district."

http://www.freep.com/article/20100310/NEWS05/3100337/1001/rss01


NOW President Terry O'Neill:

"I think he does not belong in Congress," said O'Neill. But, she said, "It would not be a success to have a conservative Republican replace Bart Stupak."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/17/now-blueamerica-back-stup_n_502952.html

I don't have much but I want what I do have to go towards people who believe in what I believe in.

I've donated. Here's her page: http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/24052