Democrats for Life Hires Executive Director, Looks to Changing the Party

Democrats for Life Hires Executive Director,
Looks to Changing the Party

June 14, 2002—Washington, DC: In a widely discussed column appearing today in The Washington Post and other papers, syndicated columnist Robert Novak speculates that pro-life Democrats are "a dying breed" and that this is "bad news for the pro-life movement." But Novak and others are premature in writing the obituary for pro-life Democrats, says Kristen Day, the newly named Executive Director of Democrats For Life of America (DFLA). Day, formerly Chief of Staff to U.S. Rep. Jim Barcia (D-MI), has been named DFLA' s first Executive Director, according to Lois Kerschen, Board President of DFLA. Kerschen said that Day will staff DLFA's new national office, located in Washington, D.C.

"I am glad to take up the challenge issued by Bob Novak and others," Day said. "We've already reworked our web site, www.democratsforlife.org, and we update it every business day. We've expanded our Board, and recruited a great group of pro-life Democrats to serve on our National Advisory Board. But we are not minimizing the challenge we face."

"Groups working nationally that are pro-choice have a tremendous head start on us," Day said. "When they put on a fundraising dinner, pro-choice Members of Congress not only attend but write $5,000 checks. We'll have to see if pro-life Democrats in Congress are as serious. The pro-choice groups, like NARAL, put $574,000 into defeating Bob Casey, Jr. in Pennsylvania. We'll have to see if pro-life groups will make it possible for DFLA to get in there and battle NARAL and the well-funded pro-choice groups - whether they wear a Democratic, Republican or feminist label."

"I am excited and concerned as we move DFLA to the next level, with paid staff and a Washington Office," Day said. "I'm excited because I hope our First Annual Democrats For Life of America Gala, which is June 20 at the National Democratic Club, will be successful. I expect the lobbyists and the interest groups - including the various unions that say they are neutral on abortion but write $5,000 checks to pro-choice organizations - to show where they stand: for even-handedness on pro-life issues. I am concerned because I agree with Bob Novak. As he says, 'if the Democratic Party is exclusively pro-choice,' because we pro-life Democrats have not received the support we need to be a real factor in American politics, 'the Republicans can play both sides on abortion' as well as the other pro-life issues. With one in three Democrats identifying themselves as pro-life and Democratic women more likely as a whole to be pro-life, that would be a tragedy not just for the Democratic Party, but for our country."

Day also provided a preview of DFLA's first voting scorecard, which shows that 33 Members of Congress score 100%. The 100% pro-life Democrats are: James Barcia (MI); Marion Berry (AR); Robert Borski (PA); Jerry Costello (IL); Mike Doyle (PA); Tony Hall (OH); Ralph Hall (TX); Tim Holden (PA); Chris John (LA); Paul Kanjorski (PA); Dale Kildee (MI); Dennis Kucinich (OH); John LaFalce (NY); James Langevin (RI); Ken Lucas (KY); Frank Mascara (PA); Mike McIntyre (NC); Michael McNulty (NY); Alan Mollohan (WV); John Murtha (PA); James Oberstar (MN); Solomon Ortiz (TX); Collin Peterson (MN); David Phelps (IL); Nick Rahall (WV); Tim Roemer (IN); Ronnie Shows (MS); Ike Skelton (MO); Charles Stenholm (TX); Bart Stupak (MI); Gene Taylor (MS); James Traficant (OH).

DFLA (www.democratsforlife.org), founded in 1999, is the only viable national organization for pro-life members of the Democratic party. "We are also a place where individuals from other parties or no party can come and work together for fairness for all of America's citizens," Kerschen said. DFLA exists to foster respect for life, from the beginning of life to natural death. This includes, but is not limited to, opposition to cloning and stem cell research on human embryos, abortion, concern about the rights of persons with disabling conditions or special needs, euthanasia and capital punishment.

DFLA's office is at Suite 302, 2001 S Street, N.W., Washington DC 20009. DFLA's telephone number is 202-299-0054, the fax is 202-299-0058 and Day can be reached by email at kday@cox.rr.com. For a free copy of DFLA's VOTING SCORECARD, which shows the issues that DFLA scored, contact Day or the DFLA office.