Abortion foes go after Sebelius

Kathleen Sebelius apparently doesn't have a tax problem, but she might have an abortion hurdle to confirmation.

This afternoon, President Obama plans to introduce the Kansas governor as his backup pick for health and human services secretary after his first choice, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, withdrew amid a firestorm over taxes he didn't pay on a private driver.

Sebelius comes with bipartisan credentials, but the most vocal opposition to her nomination could come from abortion foes. A Catholic who personally opposes abortion, she has refused to go along with restrictions in Kansas, where the anti-abortion movement is strong.

Opponents are pointing to a meeting that Sebelius had in the governor's mansion with a Wichita abortion provider, who is about to go on trial for violating state restrictions on certain late-term abortion procedures.

"Governor Sebelius's record as Governor, a state representative, and a close ally of abortionists like the notorious George Tiller (whom she threw a party for in the Governor's mansion) leaves no doubt she will be a strong advocate for abortion disguised as 'health care,' " Tom McClusky, senior vice president of the Family Research Council, said in a statement.

Bill Donahue, president of The Catholic League, added in a statement: "Catholics do not expect that abortion-rights presidents will go out of their way to choose pro-life Catholics to be in their administration. But they also don’t expect them to go out of their way to offend them. Obama has done just that."

Dr. Charmaine Yoest, president & CEO of Americans United for Life Action, issued a statement as well: “As a member of the Kansas House and later as Governor, Gov. Sebelius has a long history of opposing and even vetoing measures such as parental involvement for a daughter's abortion; informed consent; medically-supported health and safety standards for abortion clinics; and reasonable limits on late-term abortions. Nominating someone with an extremist record on abortion who is also associated with the most notorious abortionist in America to be Secretary of Health and Human Services is offensive. This is a politically divisive move. The Senate should reject this polarizing nomination."

Catholics United, a liberal group, is coming to Sebelius's defense, issuing a list today of 25 Catholic leaders supporting her nomination. It also accuses anti-abortion groups of trying to smear the governor.

"Gov. Sebelius is a proven and tireless advocate for children's health care, education, adoption, and support for pregnant women, all components of a public policy agenda intended to benefit the common good. Under her leadership, the state of Kansas has witnessed sharp declines in both abortions and teen pregnancy,” Chris Korzen, executive director of Catholics United, said in a statement, “Because of her success in expanding health care coverage and reducing abortions, we feel that Gov. Sebelius is an excellent choice to lead our nation's Department of Health and Human Services.”

The group says that as governor, Sebelius, supported Pregnancy Maintenance Initiatives, which are programs run through agencies such as Catholic Charities that provide pregnant women with alternatives to abortion; signed Alexa’s Law to deal with certain crimes against fetuses, including in the slaying of a pregnant woman, murder charges in the death of the unborn child as well; signed a law doubling the adoption tax credit and oversaw an expansion of adoption support spending; and oversaw a decline in teen pregnancies between 2002 and 2007.

“Our nation desperately needs leaders who can bring Americans together behind common ground, common good solutions to the problems of our day,” said Korzen. “Kathleen Sebelius’ ability to lead as a popular Democrat in a very conservative state proves she is the right woman for the job. We call on all people of good will to support her nomination and we look forward to her service in this important position.”

UPDATE: Boston-based Catholic Democrats also came to Sebelius's defense today.

"Governor Sebelius's legislative record, experience as a governor, and Catholic sensibilities, particularly regarding preferential treatment for the poor, will be of tremendous value in addressing health care reform, the projected Medicare insolvency crisis as soon as 2016, and aiding the millions of people who are being pushed into poverty as a result of the economic crisis," Steve Krueger, the group's national director, said in a statement.