Sen. Sam Brownback has been heralding himself as the only rock-solid social conservative in the GOP presidential field — in his self-history, he emerged fully formed on the political scene as an anti-abortion crusader.
And in a recent interview he questioned former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s credentials on abortion, saying “there’s going to be a lot of discussion about where do people actually stand on the issues and where have they been and where are they now and how reliable are they to stay that way.”
Brownback should expect some discussion of his own past and whether he was always solidly against abortion. There’s disagreement on that point, as this Lawrence Journal-World article shows.
Former Kansas GOP chairman Tim Shallenburger says he gathered from a conversation with Brownback during his first congressional run in 1994 that Brownback “was not pro-life.”
David Gittrich of Kansans for Life also said of Brownback during this time, “He didn’t know whether he was pro-life or pro-choice.”
Confronted about this on “Fox News Sunday,” Brownback rejected the notion that his position has evolved over the years. “My position has become more clear, but it’s not evolved.”
Is that clear?
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52 Comments
He has to make clear that there is no evolution!
Brownback, like John McCave, will hold any position that he thinks will get him elected. If punching puppies at a YMCA will get him elected he’ll do it.
If flip-flopping were a reason to get rid of a politician – we would have nearly every seat in Congress empty.
“I voted FOR the war, before I voted against it.”
I used to think flip-flopping was a bad thing, now I wonder. Maybe it is a sign of an open mind? Maybe the bad thing is being “The Decider”?It is most important to understand WHY a politician changes their position, rather than saying it is bad to change!
One things for sure, Neanderthal Sam hasn’t evolved. He’s all dressed up, but now he’s lost the organ grinder.
A person’s beliefs and principles develop over time. You aren’t born with them.
At some point though, you need to know what you stand for, and reliably demonstrate it.
Can anyone show one single vote by Brownback where he was anything other than pro-life? Just one.If you can, this discussion can go forward. Otherwise, let’s call this what it is. Another poke by the Lawrence paper (Lib World) and the Eagle (Bigger Lib World).This is not too much to ask. One single vote. Any one?
I remember when Brownback was a Doll moderate when he was secretary of agriculture. He’s a foot washing phoney.
I like Outlander’s question.Can you show ONE VOTE where he wasn’t pro-life? If not, your effort doesn’t even rise to the level of picking nits. Your grasping at air. We can take him at his word and his substantial record and move on to interesting accusations. Takers?
I used to think flip-flopping was a bad thing, now I wonder. Maybe it is a sign of an open mind? Maybe the bad thing is being “The Decider”?It is most important to understand WHY a politician changes their position, rather than saying it is bad to change!
Posted by: kansassam | January 31, 2007 at 06:28 AM
Oh sure, NOW you all say that. We said it all along.
Personally I could care less where he has been on the issue. Everyone changes opinions from time to time. What matters is how he feels AND VOTES now.
GS, you used to run the very pro-life organization you now denounce, so no talk of flip-flopping for you!
And yes, I was once staunchly anti-choice as well. Now I’m a crusader for women’s rights to own their own bodies.
I heard this a couple of nights ago on the radio:
Latest Gallup poll: 47% of Americans believe abortion laws should be more strict while 41% want unfettered abortion.
PM – I haven’t flip-flopped at all.
I still have the same desire to help unwed mothers that I did fifteen years ago – only now I do it more effectively than either Pro Life or Pro Choice claim to do.
I was never an advocate of stopping all abortions, just common sense regulations – and help for those who need it. Private help – NOT government help.
Pro Life failed me – not vice versa.
Both of those groups should be ashamed that they are part of the problem – NOT the solution.
;)
Outlander makes a valid point.
The only definitive way to claim that he has flip-flopped is to show that he voted AGAINST prolife in the past.
So – has he?
If not – this is another non-story.
G -Of course it’s a non-story. This is the ongoing MO of the left and the MSM. Keep throwing shit on the wall in hopes that something will eventually stick.
I’m not part of the problem as long as there are anti women nuts out there trying to restrict women’s rights to their own decisions.
Golf, which radioshow? Rush?
Actually you’re mostly right in this case. But if you break down the numbers by where they want it restricted, it turns into a nutty mess of personal beliefs. Some say an ectopic pregnancy should not be ‘aborted’, and the mother should die. Some say birth control is abortion.
Most people have heard the hype about partial birth abortions and I think if more people were truly TRULY educated on the reasons for them, they would see it differently.
Most people still think a late term abortion IS a partial birth abortion, and that women are having abortions the day before they go into labor. And many even think that late term means 3rd trimester.
All are not true.
It wasn’t Rush – I heard it over the weekend (I think).
Do you think a woman should be allowed to have an abortion 1 day before her due date?
I think the Right also does their fair share of throwing shit on the walls hoping something sticks Golfnut.
Neither the pro-life or the pro-choice sides are changing anyone’s mind about abortion. The only thing they do is keep their faces in the media spotlight. But to actually come to some common sense resolution about abortion is just not going to happen. I actually agree with GS about that wanting common sense regulations and providing real help and not at government’s expense.
As far as Brownback goes, those people who like him will support him and those that don’t won’t. But I really think there is something more going on with the negativity about Brownback. If he had such a rough time on Fox News, then perhaps the powers to be in the Republican Party is really what is behind this?
Brownback isn’t worth wasting the time to find what he did or didn’t vote for or against. If (and that’s really doubtful) he becomes a viable possibility for the nomination there will be people who will research his voting record and then we will hear conflicting “takes” on what that voting record was/is.
“And yes, I was once staunchly anti-choice as well. Now I’m a crusader for women’s rights to own their own bodies.”
pmom..
we can all flip flop according to our circumstances! I used to be actively pro-choice, and now I am personally pro-life. Guess things even out over time!
Sam, as a man, what on earth could have happened directly to you that caused you to change from pro-choice to anti?
Did you grow a uterus?
Golf, that simply doesn’t happen.
You didn’t answer the question. Yes or no?
He will have to answer for himself, but my guess is that he became a father and realized what a ‘potential’ life is all about.
GS,Exactly what “common-sense” regulations do you propose?
pmom..
I am not anti.. and my change came from personal experience that is NOT up for discussion here. And don’t give me that “if you aren’t a woman you aren’t involved” stuff.Last time I checked every baby had a mother AND a father. That makes three people involved in every decision whether or not to abort.That’s all I will say here, I am not an activist, it’s just my personal belief that it does cause regrets in some cases.
With all due respect to outlander, I am the proud owner of the question “Can anyone show one single vote by Brownback where he was anything other than pro-life? Just one.”
The whole point of this tedious abortion debate (again) is did he flip-flop. No one yet has shown that he has. Just one vote is all we need to prove it. Anybody?
There are many people who are now religious conservatives who have fled from the bigotry, authoritarianism and corruption of the left.
It’s not terribly important where you were yesterday, it’s where you are today and what you’ve learned from your experiences.
I suspect Brownback is far more consistent than many who are considered pillars of the pro-life community.
Jed – the ‘common sense’ regulations that I propose have everything to do with helping girls with confidence BEFORE a pregnancy occurs, reducing the stigma unwed mothers feel from society, and the volunteering of PRIVATE individuals on a case by case basis in housing and helping one of these girls.
That’s what I do now. Help. Not hinder.
It’s what we should all do.
GS,You seem fixated on unwed teenagers.I was an escort at the clinics here for about five years. Many, if not most of our clients were married women in their late twenties and thirties, who already had their children and whose birth control failed. You don’t seem to make any provision for them.
jed = spreading hogwash
Back from reality for a few moments…
Fleet, your request is likely to go unanswered, as the suggestion made in the lead post was that any alleged “flip flop” occurred at the time the Senator was entering politics. Thus, IF there was one, it would have occurred prior to his casting any recorded vote on the issue; and, IF there was one, it doesn’t make sense to make a move perceived as politically beneficial and then take a step contrary thereto.
Actually, I perceive this as much ado about nothing, just a shot at the Senator to (hopefully) weaken him in the eyes of the “base” primary voters. Nothing more, nothing less.
As to the issue of who might be behind such a ploy? Dunno; your guess is as good as mine.
Let the kook right wing circular firing squad destroy themselves.
So, this unattributed article has Shallenburger recalling a conversation from 10 years ago (not pro-life) and another guy saying he didn’t know.This paper goes from Phillll one day to Ryan the next (should he run?) to Brownback the next (Is he pro-life? One guy sez no.)Weak and typical.
According to his actual voting record, he has consistently voted against anything that remotely deals with abortion.
But during his campaign, it was fairly obvious he was taking a more moderate/slanted line towards the anti-choice side.
So in review, he was elected against a staunchly anti-choice person by portraying a moderate. Once he obtained the office, he drew the line just as hard as his predecessor. He lied to get in office.
Dedicated Republican said “There are many people who are now religious conservatives who have fled from the bigotry, authoritarianism and corruption of the left.
It’s not terribly important where you were yesterday, it’s where you are today and what you’ve learned from your experiences.
I suspect Brownback is far more consistent than many who are considered pillars of the pro-life community.”
This would be far more accurate – There are many people who are now secular liberals, who have fled from the bigotry, authoritarianism and corruption of the right.
Consistent… as in how many ID’s you use? What happened to the other one? Did it get banned for trolling?
Dedicated Republican said “There are many people who are now religious conservatives who have fled from the bigotry, authoritarianism and corruption of the left.
It’s not terribly important where you were yesterday, it’s where you are today and what you’ve learned from your experiences.
I suspect Brownback is far more consistent than many who are considered pillars of the pro-life community.”
This would be far more accurate – There are many people who are now secular liberals, who have fled from the bigotry, authoritarianism and corruption of the right.
Consistent… as in how many ID’s you use? What happened to the other one? Did it get banned for trolling?
“Last time I checked every baby had a mother AND a father.”
Tell that to all the deadbeat dads out there.
Nothing personal toward you, kansassam. I know how much you help others. Your concern, coupled with intelligence, makes you a caring, thoughtful person. It’s appreciated.
GS,Some good thoughts posted on the abortion issue. Unfortunately, as Jeb posted, those are not the only issues within the issue.
Yeah, anyone know if that father was ever arrested when the mother dropped off the baby with him, and he didn’t want it, so the MOTHER was arrested for abandonment?
I really don’t know what trolling is. I made a comment on one story that the name dedicated republican seemed approriate and so I used it. Quire frankly, if you don’t like it, who cares? Pandering to ignorant left-wing bigots was never something I was big on.
PMom,I’m sorry if I missed your answer earlier but…
Do you think a woman should be allowed to have an abortion 1 day before her due date?
Now what are the odds on that actually happening?
I didn’t ask the odds. I asked if it should be allowed.
It’s an easy question.
“There are many people who are now religious conservatives who have fled from the bigotry, authoritarianism and corruption of the left.” And there is no shortage of moderates and new liberals who have realized the right is the home of self righteous greed heads and have adjusted THEIR politics as well.
GolfNut, Did you quit beating your wife and kids? Easy question. Answer “yes,” or “no.”
Oh, that’s not a question you can answer yes or no. You never did that so didn’t need to quit… Well..
It’s a stupid and leading and irellevant question. But the answer is yes. That is the law.
Linda,No, I did not quit beating my wife and kids.
See how easy?
…Wonders if it is too late to do abortions on some walking around today…
Unfortunately we will never resolve this issue because there are too many extremists on both sides. I think most people would like to see some common sense restrictions as GS said. I can live with 3rd trimester restrictions as long as there are provisions for extraordinary problems and if the decision is made by the doctors not the politicians. For a country that was built on the idea that the government should not be able to restrict religious freedoms it is sad to see that we have morph’ed into the Right wanting a Theocracy. That scares me more than anything!
Besides now that we know that Brownback’s “people” read this blog we need to let him know how inconsequencial he really is. He doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of being elected President! Has anyone else noticed how few posts there are other than this one when there is anything here about him.
Sam, take a hint! Give it up! Nobody cares!!
Yes it should be legal. But it won’t ever happen.
I would hope that a doctor would step up and give that woman a c-section. And frankly, even though you all hate Tiller, I don’t see him doing that.
Thing is………he is so far down the list and his chances are so slim…….who cares what he said.