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.

Family Planning Health Services(and PPWI) score huge budget victory

Source

In March, Gov. Scott Walker proposed to completely defund Wisconsin's number 1 abortion provider.  That is, he proposed taxpayers not fund an institution which sucks brains out with vacuums nor any of the so called family planning groups.  22 other states do not fund Planned Parenthood.

Here is today's update

The Joint Finance Committee voted today 12-4 to keep state family planning programs funded

Remember, we are facing a fiscal nightmare as a state. Apparently paying and encouraging others to engage in risky sexual behavior is crucial to the state's well being.  From Pro-Life Wisconsin:

In 2010 [Planned Parenthood] collected more than $18 million in federal and state family planning funds, mostly from the Title XIX Medicaid program. 

How many teachers could be paid with $18 million dollars?  How many pregnancy centers could help women actually give birth when faced with a crisis pregnancy?

More details:

The total family planning funds were also cut 10%, or just under $200,000, to a total of $1.7 million and the funds will now be directed fully to legitimate medical centers.

Whoppidy doo dah!  Effectively pro-lifers are told that our issues don't matter to Republicans.  They are not called the Stupid Party for nothing.

Here's the supposed victory:

State and federal money [are now prevented] from going to groups like Planned Parenthood that separately provide abortions for women or make referrals for abortions. State law already prohibits such funds from being used to pay for abortions.

I don't know the claim by MJS but I suspect it is at least partially true. 

What does that mean?

The Committee’s action today effectively prevents PPWI from receiving close to $1 million annually in state and federal Title V funds.

That would be about 5% of their funds for 2010.

Pro-Life Wisconsin is spot on:

All money is fungible. Family planning funds free up resources within PPWI to engage in the surgical abortion business. Abortion is not healthcare. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, a ‘non-profit’ organization with a net worth of $9.8 million that profits from killing unborn babies and exploits women in distress, should not be considered a healthcare provider. Wisconsin cannot continue to throw money at organizations that perform or refer for abortion, and we urge legislators to starve the abortion giant by cutting off all state and federal public funding streams to Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.

Don't for a second believe the BS about not being a "zealot" or "middle ground," pro-lifers got the shaft once again.  We have a 100% pro-life governor and Republicans just gave him the bird.  Walker asked the funding be dropped and they punted.  All they had to do was sign on the dotted line.  Instead they drew pictures of condoms with smiley faces. 

Reactions:

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.

Darling is facing a recall effort.  Paper thin pro-life legislation is not going to rally her base.

I don't see how such a bare minimal effort can be applauded.  Planned Parenthood was spared the chopping block for now.  This effectively has no change in day to day operations of PPWI.  It will be business as usual tomorrow at Wisconsin's #1 abortion provider.