WRTL nod goes to ex-Planned Parenthood official

Sen. Alberta Darling
In politics, some things just don’t happen.

Third-party candidates don’t win major races. Politicians don’t admit to running negative ads.

And Wisconsin Right to Life doesn’t back former board members of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.

Except this year.

Without fanfare, state Sen. Alberta Darling, who has described herself as “pro-choice” in the past, won a qualified endorsement from Right to Life in her contest against state Rep Sheldon Wasserman. In the early ‘90s, Darling served on the board of Planned Parenthood, the chief advocate of abortion rights.

This is considered the hottest local race in the fall election.

Barbara Lyons, head of Right to Life, said her group has not previously backed Darling, a River Hills Republican, during her 18 years in office. Lyons noted that Darling had voted with the organization 77% of the time in the past four years, whereas Wasserman, a Milwaukee Democrat, had a 0% rating.

Asked to describe Darling’s abortion stance, Lyons said, “She’s more pro-life than not.”

So what changed?

Darling didn’t return a call. Her campaign Web site doesn’t mention the endorsement.

But Sen. Glenn Grothman, the go-to guy for abortion rights foes, had a theory.

“As we get older, we get more conservative,” the West Bend Republican said. “I think that’s happened to Alberta.”
MJS; Dogged

If you ... recall, it was Sen. Alberta Darling who thwarted Gov. Walker's effort to completely defund Planned Parenthood. Her comments on retaining public funding for Planned Parenthood:
Committee co-chairwoman Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) said that other state family planning programs would also remain for women and that Planned Parenthood could still receive federal funds. Gov. Scott Walker had sought to completely cut the family planning grants.

“I see this as a very positive effort to retain critical health care services for women,” said Darling, a former Planned Parenthood board member who voted for the change.

10 comments:

Dad29 said...

"Mostly" pro-life?

So does that allow me (e.g.) to strangle a couple of folks? Four? 12?

Badger Catholic said...

LOL

Anonymous said...

I am not a big fan of hers, but I do trust Sen. Glenn Grothman.

Anonymous said...

I am "mostly" not a fan.

Dad29 said...

Practically speaking, it's important to retain Darling in office if there are to be further improvements in Wisconsin governance.

What is REALLY important after August, however, is to find/groom a replacement for her. Jim Ott is a "meh" just like Alberta, and he's the most likely successor.

Virginia Zignego said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I fail to see how it benefits the pro-life movement to retain a RINO who is single-handedly responsible for blocking pro-life reforms. With a Democrat, you know what you are getting.

Siarlys Jenkins said...

Perhaps we can agree that its time for Alberta to go.

We have to put the brakes on Scott Walker, and getting rid of her is one useful step.

Virginia Zignego said...

Regarding your second point... more than half of WI disagrees with you, so no. Those of us that are pro-life have to disagree. In the 8 years that Jim Doyle, a pro-abortion Democrat, was in office, PPWI's share of taxpayer funding increased hundredfold and pro-lifers' free speech was silenced on numerous occasions. Like it or not, we're finally beginning to make pro-life strides.

Siarlys Jenkins said...

How do you know that "more than half of Wisconsin disagrees with you?" We'll know about THAT when the votes are in.