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Supporters criticize Sebelius delay

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor April 23, 2009 07:05 PM

Republican opposition is holding up Kathleen Sebelius taking office as health and human services secretary and completing President Obama's cabinet.

And her supporters are none too happy.

The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday sent the Kansas governor's nomination to the full Senate, but when the top Senate Democrat, Harry Reid, tried to bring up the nomination today, Republican leader Mitch McConnell objected, pushing the vote into at least next week.

Republicans have criticized Sebelius's ties to a Kansas abortion doctor and her views on healthcare reform. Anti-abortion groups have lobbied against Sebelius, a Catholic who personally opposes abortion, for her actions as governor on the issue.

NARAL Pro-Choice America today sent out an email alert to supporters urging them to contact their senators.

"Just a couple of hours ago, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services hit a serious road block," the email says.

"Anti-choice senators blocked a vote today in response to pressure from the big 10 of the anti-choice movement. James Dobson of Focus on the Family, Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, Wendy Wright of Concerned Women for America, and seven other anti-choice groups sent a letter yesterday calling on the Senate to block Gov. Sebelius’ nomination. There’s no way we can allow far-right radicals like James Dobson or Wendy Wright to obstruct this critical nomination."

John Sweeney, president of the AFL-CIO, also criticized the delay.

"Senate Republicans are obstructing the confirmation of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and ignoring the American voters' mandate for new leadership and an end to the status quo, especially when it comes to our nation's broken healthcare system," he said in a statement. "Gov. Sebelius is part of that new leadership, and she will bring to the position of Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services new vision rooted in experience.

"Throughout her career and as health insurance commissioner of Kansas, Sebelius has shown a commitment to fighting for consumers' and patients' rights. As governor of Kansas, Sebelius has a proven record of working with leaders on both sides of the aisle to solve problems."

UPDATE: Late today, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele called on Obama to withdraw Sebelius's nomination unless she answers more questions on abortion, saying that she has not been forthcoming about her ties to a Kansas abortion doctor, George Tiller.

"Significant questions remain about Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' evolving relationship with a late-term abortion doctor as well as about her position on the practice of late-term abortions," Steele said in a statement, the Associated Press reports. "If Gov. Sebelius and the Obama administration are unwilling to answer these questions, President Obama should withdraw her nomination."

The White House declined to comment. A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid dismissed Steele's complaints.

"This is nothing more than a baseless attack from someone desperate to stake a claim as the leader of the leaderless Republicans and get right with the right-wing of his party," said Reid spokesman Jim Manley.

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It is hard for me to believe that the republicans have become such obstructionists. Their party line approach is that of a child throwing a tantrum - they are simply anti the President and obvious sore losers - they have no respect for the office of President nor do they have any concerns about their own responsibilities as elected officials to represent the american people - ALL of the american people - not just their rapidly dwindling base. It is appalling and I trust the majority of americans will do away with the bulk of them come the 2010 election.

Posted by coralights April 23, 09 06:16 PM
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What can you expect from the party of no! The Republicans have no new ideas, they just want to say no! Disgusting!

Posted by Jack April 23, 09 06:25 PM
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OK, I've been taking it easy since we got President Obama elected.

But it's clearly time to go back to work, get Sebelius approved and get more religious fanatics out of our government.

I will immediately write to my Senators and will then begin working on her approval.

We've made lots of progress, bringing secular democracy back to our country but more is needed and more will happen. RCharles

Posted by RCharles April 23, 09 06:32 PM
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The typical liberal Democrat gets all hot and bothered by how we get intelligence information from a terrorist. They say we must uphold American "values" even when it is difficult.

But when it comes to sukking brains out of babies delivered during an abortion procedure they don't seem to have a problem.

Some values, eh?

Posted by Fidel April 23, 09 07:33 PM
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Get a grip people. She can't legislate all by herself. What exactly are you afraid of? That a person in a government position might disagree with your personal position? Seriously, just get a grip!

Posted by SometimesAghast April 23, 09 07:46 PM
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Oh! And when you meet a perfect person, please let me know. Last I heard Jesus is dead.

Posted by SometimesAghast April 23, 09 07:48 PM
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That's right the Republicans are the party of no because they have the intelligence to see through this disgusting administration, its ilk, and it’s fraudulent dreams of a big brother government utopia.
Sorry to inform you but liberal policies have failed on numerous occasions and that's why we are seeing resistance to such despicable persons such as Sebelius.
It's funny how you idiotic left wingers cry and scream about criminal war activities of the previous administration, but relish in the fact that killing a human life, which has no way of protecting itself is socially acceptable.

Posted by FO April 24, 09 08:46 AM
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Gov. Sebelius's confirmation hearings are snagged because of two things. Number one is her relationship with George Tiller, a late-term abortionist in Kansas, who is in legal trouble on a number of counts. She received approx $240,000 in campaign contributions from him, but in her confirmation hearings declared only approx $12,000 of that, until she was forced to disclose the rest. Why, one wonders, did she take that tack? The most benign interpretation is that it was an oversight. But given Tiller's own record of less than total harmony with the law one has to look deeper. That's what the Senate wants to do. Number two is her seeming willingness to embrace healthcare rationing, as noted by Sen. John Kyl (R-Ariz). She is at best less than forthcoming on that issue. Are the Republicans ignoring the "American voters' mandate for new leadership"? The new leadership pledged to end the dishonesty, secretiveness etc of the old and replace it with honesty and openness. In Gov. Sebelius's case, at least, this is just not happening. It must if credibility is to be maintained.

Posted by Patrick Lee April 24, 09 10:06 AM
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