Via The Hotline, Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill, after initially stating that despite being pro-choice, she was okay with the Stupak amendment has changed her tune, at least according to her Twitter feed.
Text: Oppose Stupak.Don't think we should change current law which is no public $ for abortions,but amndmt goes too far limitng private funds too
What's sad is that her new position is still not what many of us want--which is true access to all reproductive health services, regardless of income, ability to pay or health care plan.
But nice work to all those who put pressure on Senator McCaskill and her support of what is a truly terrible piece of legislation.
Want to stand with the pro-choice congresswomen opposing inclusion of Stupak in health care reform? Sign your name here.
Related:
Whose health care victory?
Rep. Wasserman Schultz: Confident Stupak will not be in the final version of the bill
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I follow Claire McCaskill since she's one of my senators. Below is a twitter convo I sent to her and her general response to everyone.
Origional:
"clairecmc Oppose Stupak.Don't think we should change current law which is no public $ for abortions,but amndmt goes too far limitng private funds too
7:54 PM Nov 9th from UberTwitter "
My reply:
"trivia42 @clairecmc morning joe quotes you as possibly supporting stupak amnd if push comes 2 shove. Womens rights are not bargaining chips.
8:32 PM Nov 9th from web"
Her general reply:
"clairecmc Asked this morning my opinion on whether Stupak amndmnt would kill the bill(said prob no) and NOT asked my opinion of the amndmnt.Im opposed"
That was the last tweet on Stupid, errr, Stupak she put out to date. We'll see when the votes come down.
First, a shoutout to my fellow MOians! And well done with putting on the pressure.
This is exactly why I love twitter, and politicians like McCaskill who are actually responsive on it.
I also had a twitter convo w/ Sen McCaskill that day.
It's also not the most promising response, and she'll need some work & lots of support from Missourians to stand really strong against Stupak, but here ya go.
I asked her this:
@clairecmc Two v diff comments on Stupak today (MorningJoe & twitter). Which is it? Will u stand strong against this amdt in the Senate? #MO
and got these Direct Messages in response:
1- clairecmc
No, I didn't. I was only asked if I thot the Stupak amndmnt would be a poison pill for the bill(kill it) and I said I didn't think so.
2- clairecmc
Also said I was prochoice..I was surprised when folks started assuming that meant I was for the amndmt.
So I asked this follow-up question:
@clairecmc Fair point. Stand corrected. For clarification: would you vote for an HCR bill if it retained Stupak (or similar) amdt?
Her response:
clairecmc @jenlabarbera It's too early to say,We all need to keep talking and working toward a good bill.I hope it's not in it and will vote that way.
WOOT!! SHOUT OUT TO CLAIRE AND MISSOURI!!!!!
I LOVE CLAIRE. HER RESPONSE TO STUPAK IS RIGHT ON!
WE USUALLY HAVE CHUMPS LIKE THE IDIOT BLUNTS OR ASHCROFT IN OFFICE HERE...
In a way, this post sorta seems as if it could be bad mouthing a serious champion for women. I am proud of good works McCaskill has done inmy state. She's pro-choice--no worries ladies.