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Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009 | 2 a.m.
In 1993, a GOP state senator named Sue Lowden expressed to a reporter support for Roe v. Wade on the 20th anniversary of the decision. Lowden had just been elected from a heavily Democratic district two years after the state’s voters overwhelmingly embedded abortion rights in statute — a referendum Lowden acknowledged Tuesday she supported.
In 2009, a Republican U.S. Senate candidate named Sue Lowden told a conservative publication, Human Events, that Roe v. Wade was a “bad decision.” The comment came after a primary opponent, Danny Tarkanian, had been portraying himself for months as the real anti-abortion candidate to a conservative GOP electorate that will choose a Republican nominee in June.
If circumstantial evidence is to be believed, Lowden is easily convicted of not one, but perhaps two acts of political convenience, tacking left when it was advantageous and then shifting right when the race called for it.
But is it really that simple? Is anything that simple when it comes to abortion, which shreds nuance for absolutism and engenders the most strident, nasty rhetoric of almost any issue — and that’s just from litmus-test-seeking interest groups?
Lowden’s shifting position on the seminal court decision comes amid what will become an increasingly and publicly (mark my words) vitriolic GOP primary for the right to depose Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the race national Republicans most want to win in 2010. Even though it seems apparent to some that Lowden would be the strongest general election contender, despite the expected equivocations from a National Republican Senatorial Committee insisting it hails from Zurich, Little Tark seems intent on tarnishing Snow White as not being conservative enough. And what better issue to use than abortion, where Tarkanian claims he is against it except when the life of the mother is endangered.
Lowden insisted her evolution is personal and not political, providing me with a lengthy statement and declining to speak on the record beyond it.
“I am pro-life and I will defend life as a U.S. senator,” the statement began. “Nearly two decades ago, when the issue outlined in this article was brought to the floor of the Nevada state Senate, I did not (her italics and boldface) stand to demonstrate support for the Roe v. Wade decision. Further, as a parent and state senator, I helped lead the effort on parental notification legislation. Unfortunately, that bill was defeated on the floor. I adamantly oppose any taxpayer-funded abortion as is required in the Reid health care bill, and I strongly oppose the practice of partial-birth abortion.”
Lowden correctly states her actual voting record — she has never cast a vote in favor of abortion rights — except for that 1990 vote for the abortion rights referendum. But her comment about not standing on the Senate floor to salute Roe v. Wade is disingenuous because other senators in favor of abortion rights were caught off-guard by then-Minority Leader Dina Titus’ call for everyone to stand. Indeed, in a contemporaneous story, Lowden declared, “I just choose not to stand. Standing or not standing is not a litmus test of how you feel about the choice issue.” That is, it was more anti-Titus than anti-choice.
Lowden’s statement goes on to say that her evolution in position came about after she became more of a strict constructionist. “The issue of Roe, I have come to believe, contradicts this important amendment to our U.S. Constitution,” she stated. “That has not prevented some individuals and groups from considering me pro-choice because I do believe that there should be exceptions on the abortion issue — such as protection of the life of the mother, and in cases of rape and incest.”
Lowden’s campaign clearly chafes at the demands placed on Republicans by anti-abortion endorsing groups and by some in the electoral universe who will be voting next June. But Tarkanian has found a wedge and he’s not afraid to use it, especially because he has the liberty of never having had to vote on the issue as an elected official.
(One note: Lowden’s campaign denies a 1996 Las Vegas Sun report that she tried to get abortion out of the platform in the state convention and she insists she voted at the national convention to keep it in.)
Unfortunately for Lowden, I can see the flip-flop ad in my mind’s eye, especially with the, ahem, abortion that was the 2008 state convention when she was chairman and her previous campaign contributions to Reid: “She was for abortion before she was against it. She was for Ron Paul’s people before she was against them. She was for Harry Reid before she was against him.”
In campaigns and trials, circumstantial evidence sometimes is all you need to get a conviction.
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I've been following the various statements issued by Snow White and the Dwarves. It's fascinating to watch a group of people with so little experience in public service argue about which of them more closely adheres to the orthodoxy espoused by Rush Limbaugh, who has zero experience in public service. It's like posting your SAT scores on an online dating site - a desperate attempt to appeal to the pathetic.
If John Ensign resigns, which two of these folks do you really want to see on the ballot next November?
look in sue's closet jon...
i bet there are some skeletons in there...
Jon Ralston's strong pro-abortion stand is well known.
That Jon Ralston chose not to attack Harry Reid pro-abortion support while pretending to be pro-life is indictive of Jon bias.
Where Jon misses the point is that Roe v. Wade was a "bad decision."
Where Jon misses the point is that science has advanced our knowlege of viable babies.
Further many feel Roe v. Wade did not allow induced (partial birth) abortion procedure on viable babies.
Other do not agree that loving parent should be shut out of the abortion decision making of under aged girls.
I think the navel gazing by the GOP in this state and country has gotten them just what they deserve: Lowden, Ensign, Gibbons, Rush, Beck, O'Reilly, Sanford, etc. However, I think the wake up call is on the horizon that will slap the GOP back to reality. Listen up folks. Arnold is speaking again - loud, and clear. I think it is the beginning of a new day for the disenchanted GOP members when Arnold has clearly debunked the "twiticisms" of Sarah Palin. See the CNN report: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/
Finally, there might be a leader who is ready, and has the political clout to clean up the GOP and put it back on track. It's been derailed by mudslides for too long. He's talking. I think we need to pay attention.
"Where Jon misses the point is that Roe v. Wade was a "bad decision."
Future -- care to clarify why you posted this?
Also -- "Other do not agree that loving parent should be shut out of the abortion decision making of under aged girls." Take "loving" out of that sentence and we could have agreement on it. All parents have natural authority over their minor children which not only predates but supersedes the state in a big way. Unless the parent is previously found by a competent court to be unfit.
My general opinion on this subject remains the same -- unless you have a womb, or you're the father of what's in one, your opinion really doesn't matter.
Really? A politico that wears flip-flops and panders? Shocking!, shocking!.....
So, Sue Lowden is by day the shrill would-be leader of the lunatic fringe and by night a deeply closeted pro-choice, Reid-supporting, Ron Paul hating RINO? Methinks I am really going to enjoy watching this GOP primary.
The article makes both Lowden & Little Tark seem like little more than petty opportunitists. But then, maybe that was the intent....
The Liberal Jon Ralston. Can't present fair and balanced discussions to save his life. The Las Vegas Sun should kick this knuckle-head to the curb. The same kind of crap regurgitated over and over. What a loser!
DessertSun -- at least Ralston knows the difference between an arid part of the state and the happy ending to a good meal. You might want to reconsider your "loser" comment based on that.
What does Jon have to say about Greid Health Insurance bill?
Obama says that we are on the verge of passing Harry's bill
Inept Senator Harry Reid has decided it is okay to have an IMPERFECT health insurance bill fashioned by Unions, special interests, and lobbyist.
Harry's Senate bill sets up a new entitlement program that grows at 8% annually as far as the eye can see--faster than the economy will grow, faster than tax revenues will grow, and just as fast as the already-broken funding of Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Clueless Greid's destructive bill will cost $849 billion plus the $247 billion "doc fix" plus the $490 billion taken from seniors Medicare or $1.587 trillion. Increase private insurance premiums by 10%, and don't forget the billions for Unions and Senators Payola.
- Eliminated the public option and the Medicare buy-in
- Keeps the insurance industries anti-trust exemption
- Prevents the importation of cheap drug from Canada
- Keeps insurance company limit on annual health care payouts
- 18 million still NOT covered by health insurance
- A wait time of 6 months if you have a pre-condition
- installs a "Payment Advisory Commission" (wage, price, and rationing control board)
- Mandatory changes to current insurance policies in five years
- Private insurance premium increases 10%
- $490 billion taken away from senior's Medicare would reduce care per the report from Richard S. Foster of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Foster's office acts is independent technical evaluator (like CBO) , serving both the administration and Congress.
- $280 billion NOT paid to Doctors for services rendered
- A new 5.4% surcharge tax on small businesses
- A new 5.4% income tax surcharge
- Subsidies premiums for people making $88k
- Allows paying for abortions
- It does NOT include tort reform to save money
- It does NOT allow private insurance plans to cross state lines
- It does NOT reduce the cost of healthcare providers
- It does NOT have a enforceable Individual mandate
- It does NOT allow for "catastrophic" healthcare policies.
- It does NOT preclude cost shifting.
- It does NOT impose tort reform to reduce defensive medicine.
After reading the comments on many issues, it seems that there are two groups of thought, those who believe that government should run our lives and therefore politicians know better or that we the individual have are own liberty and right to run our own lives and therefore non politicians would do a better job in government because it would reflect the nature of this country and what the founding fathers gave us.
One political spectrum pits groups against each other for their political life. These would be the Far Left or Democrats, who don't see you as an individual, but they see the color of your skin, your gender, your religion or your choice of sexual orientation and they prepare political positions to gain your vote and your financial support. The problem Republicans have is that they represent Freedom and the Individual but there are levels of opinion as to how much freedom one should have.
As a true conservative, I believe in the Constitution and therefore I am totally against Cap and Trade, "Health Control" and any other form of Federal Mandating that violates our rights. CINO's, conservatives in name only like Lowden, Tarkanian and Angle slight their integrity to the political beliefs that will send them money. For Instance all three of them were presenting positions on the Health Care bill, while I was presenting a NO to it, because it was unconstitutional. Sharron Angle took pride in reading all 1016 pages of the bill that is not even being voted on because of all the changes. No wonder that in her less than two years of political life only ten bills out of 74 got voted on for an 86% ineffective rate. Danny Tarkanian started a statewide referrendum on a part of the bill that is no longer in effect, making his political move a waste as well. After several months on the campaign, they picked up from my speeches that my position was in favor with Conservatives so a few began to adopt it.
I have heard their speeches over and over again.
Sue Lowden believes you should support her because she is "Sue Lowden". Danny has moved more to the conservative side as he learns more about it. Sharron Angle wants you to believe that her less than two calendar years in politics which spanned eight calendar years for a part time job, is very powerful and needed in Washington.
What is needed in Washington is someone who is real and many of you can't tell the difference.
I have always been a conservative and a strong proponent of liberty, but I have no interest in a career in politics. If I did I would have accepted a bribe from the White House in 1994 and could have been elected to Congress over and over again from 1996 onwards. But my integrity is never for sale. And that you can take to the bank. Remember government is a reflection of the people and right now it is not looking too good. Maybe you need to do a bit more research and stop letting the newspapers pick your candidate for you.
Nevada is a MAJORITY pro-choice state. Kenny Guinn was a PRO-CHOICE GOVERNOR. Keep running anti-choice candidates and women will vote Democrat every time.
"After reading the comments on many issues, it seems that there are two groups of thought, those who believe that government should run our lives and therefore politicians know better or that we the individual have are own liberty and right to run our own lives and therefore non politicians would do a better job in government because it would reflect the nature of this country and what the founding fathers gave us."
mywileynet -- your second grouping is the only legitimate one. The former is what our Constitutions forbid.
Flip Flop McLowden..... Sounds like a catchy name for her. It seems to me that Sue Lowden will go which ever way the wind blows. She is not able to take a stand on issues until she sees it will benefit her politically. Sounds like she will fit right in with the rest of the bunch in DC who are not listening to the people of this country. She is just another person out for herself.
Once again, Danny Tarkankian is the true conservative in this race. From all inidications, whoever gets the GOP nomination in June stands a good chance of beating Harry Reid. We need to make sure it is the right person who wins this important Senate seat. Sue Lowden certainly is not that person.
Little Tark continues to trash on Sue Lowden but what has little Tark ever done to protect the unborn? Nothing! All Danny Tarkanian does is campaign on the last name of his parents who happen to be liberals.
"After reading the comments on many issues, it seems that there are two groups of thought, those who believe that government should run our lives and therefore politicians know better or that we the individual have are own liberty and right to run our own lives and therefore non politicians would do a better job in government because it would reflect the nature of this country and what the founding fathers gave us."
This is what's known as a "false dichotomy." In fact, there are many groups of thought, and your attempt to cast all into two camps (agree with me = good, disagree with me = evil) is symptomatic of an inability to defend your own opinions. While I'm sure this works great in broadcast radio, where you get to dictate who talks, it just makes you look like a doofus on the internet, where you can't block free speech.
I still don't see how Ralston's stand on abortion, whatever that may be, has anything to do with the issue of the piece, that is, whether Lowden is a flip-flopper on abortion or not.
I also don't see how Lowden can describe her position as "personal" since she, like Tark the Smaller, apparently wants to go to Washington to very publicly impose that "personal" position on the rest of us.
Son-of-Sun: Excellent point. What has Tark done? If anyone knows, please share. And don't respond that he charged a reduced fee for a basketball camp ten years ago.
Though Lowden doesn't have any social cause to hang her hat on, it would seem of the two of them her (small) record of community service is at least existent.
What have Lowden, Angle, Tarkanian or any of them done really to make the community better for others? Outside of their own religious and social networking groups?
How are we to trust them with our tax dollars, a childs future,the care of elderly, etc. when thus far, none of them have accomplished anything of any real importance?
good wedge issue, to bad R reid can't use it.
I am sad for the state of Nevada. The residents of that great state deserve better representation in the U.S. Senate than that of Senator Reid. He is an embarrassment to the integrity of that great body. Under Reid's leadership opposing votes are brought over to Reid's position with massive pork spending and a bankrupt Treasury. Hopefully, the country can survive until the next general election.
"Inept Senator Harry Reid has decided it is okay to have an IMPERFECT health insurance bill fashioned by Unions, special interests, and lobbyist."
But just remember Future, Republicans refused to even see there was a problem. I believe the bill would have been much better if partisan politics were put aside and BOTH sides worked on making this something to be proud of. But what we ended up with are Republicans refusing to participate and Democrats fighting to throw what ever in to make everyone happy.
I would rather have an imperfect bill than nothing at all. Nothing at all is the legacy of the Bush administration, I'm hoping President Obama does better.
By the way... who is Gried? Ohhh... you're making fun of Sen Harry Reid's name! Oh my, how clever you are. Adding a G to the front of his name to make it seem like Greed! Wow Past... sorry, Future, that was funny.
She runs an ad on the drudgereport opposing Reid saying he "is using people's money to fund abortion" but I don't hear her saying much about the issue on loco-local talk radio.
mred, do you have an obsession with talk radio? If you don't like talk radio then don't listen to it. They are plenty of liberal media outlets you can listen to. It's getting old of your same posts of talk radio, here's a suggestion listen to music, probably country is your choice, so be happy and listen to that. And by the way SUE LOWDEN IS HOT for 57yrs old.
This what I can say about Tark All of his skeltons are out of the closet. Remember he won that law suit againist him. If he had any skeltons they would of came out then. Also Lowden was a Dem and than change to a Rep when it suited her. TARK 2010