President Obama’s selection of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS) to head the Department of Health and Human Services has sent the far right scurrying to man their battle stations. Igor Volsky reports that conservatives “are trying to turn a debate about health care reform into a culture war” over abortion. Some examples:
“Sebelius, governor of Kansas — the late-term abortion capital of the world — is a threat to the health and well-being of our country and her appointment must be stopped.” [American Life League]
“She has had a close personal and financial association with the nation’s most infamous abortion doctor, George Tiller, who specializes in late-term abortions.” [Family Research Council]
One of the anti-choice groups is even attacking Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) for his support of Sebelius. As The Wonk Room notes, “[A]bortion rates declined 10 percent during Sebelius’ first three years as governor.” And as for her “association” with Tiller, she did indeed once have dinner with the doctor — a dinner that Tiller won “in a fund raising auction.”
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