Republican Minority House Leader John Boehner speaking at NRLC.
“Americans love life and we love freedom – they’re both intertwined in the American character – without respect for life, freedom is in jeopardy. When we confirm the dignity of life, we affirm our commitment to freedom. There’s nothing more defenceless, more innocent – than an unborn baby. If you believe in a right to life, then being quiet isn’t good enough – we don’t have luxury of being quiet.
…Barack Obama spoke at a PP convention promising support of the Freedom of Choice Act – during his first week in office, 36 Republican Congressman including Boehner wrote to Obama asking him to use his presidency to use initiatives that bring Americans together, not drive them apart – they asked him to withdraw his support from FOCA. They got no response. …In the 18 months since the letter was sent, we’ve got our answer – the legislation has been implemented, step by tragic step.”
During the presentation of the National Right to Life Legislative Leadership Award to Boehner, an old man stood up and started yelling, trying to ask the Minority Leader a question – he shouted “God strike you dead!” at Darla St. Martin who was emceeing the session. Officials got him seated. However after the applause as he was walking out he started screaming again about how the Republican party lets down the pro-life movement, “See with your eyes…” He also claimed that when Darla asked him to speak to Boehner later that she was breaking the First Amendment. I am fairly confident that he is a strongly anti-incrementalist pro-lifer, possibly associated with American Right to Life and the Personhood movement.
However a very good session over all. You can read Boehner’s full speech here.
