Stealth Anti-abortion Candidate in Massachusetts
When the governor of Massachusetts nominates someone to a judgeship, (including the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court), the nomination goes to the eight-member Governor's Council for confirmation. The Governor's Council is an elected body, and for the first time in 30 years, there is a vacancy for the seat from Western Massachusetts. The race for this seemingly obscure office is shaping up as one of the hottest and most important in the state -- even as many activists and media outlets are giving it scant attention.
One of the main issues dividing Democratic candidate Peter Vickery and independent Aaron Wilson, is that Vickery is pro-choice -- and Wilson has avoided the question. Wilson has gone so far as to tell The Springfield Republican newspaper that he does not feel that choice, and other fundamental matters of civil and constitutional rights, are relevant to the job of picking judges.
However, Wilson apparently did not demur when it came to answering the only question on the questionnaire of Massachusetts Citizens for Life:
"As a Governor's Council member, would you support the nomination of justices who would protect the right to life of each human being from conception to natural death?"
Wilson's answer was "yes;" Vickery's answer was "no."
Massachusetts Citizens for Life is the state affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee -- by far the largest and most influential antiabortion lobby in the country.
Wilson, a former democrat who is running as an independent, apparently hopes to attract both conservative Democratic and Republican votes, while trying not to alarm pro-choice voters. Whatever else he may be, he is a stealth anti-abortion candidate.
The contrast could not be clearer since Vickery has been upfront and unequivocal in his support for a woman's right to choose from the beginning.
Vickery has an excellent chance of winning. He has a strong base of support in Western Massachusetts, and he is working closely with the campaigns of the rest of the Democratic ticket -- who are pro-choice down the line. But Wilson is outspending him by about 3-1 in the closing weeks with an expensive advertising blitz. Vickery needs our help. Contributions can be made by credit card from anywhere in the state and anywhere in the country. A last minute infusion of cash could be decisive in this race.
The campaign also needs volunteers: (413) 549-9933
Let's not allow a stealth antiabortion candidate to slip into this office -- an office that Peter Vickery calls the "last firewall" for protecting our constitutional rights in Massachusetts.
One of the main issues dividing Democratic candidate Peter Vickery and independent Aaron Wilson, is that Vickery is pro-choice -- and Wilson has avoided the question. Wilson has gone so far as to tell The Springfield Republican newspaper that he does not feel that choice, and other fundamental matters of civil and constitutional rights, are relevant to the job of picking judges.
However, Wilson apparently did not demur when it came to answering the only question on the questionnaire of Massachusetts Citizens for Life:
"As a Governor's Council member, would you support the nomination of justices who would protect the right to life of each human being from conception to natural death?"
Wilson's answer was "yes;" Vickery's answer was "no."
Massachusetts Citizens for Life is the state affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee -- by far the largest and most influential antiabortion lobby in the country.
Wilson, a former democrat who is running as an independent, apparently hopes to attract both conservative Democratic and Republican votes, while trying not to alarm pro-choice voters. Whatever else he may be, he is a stealth anti-abortion candidate.
The contrast could not be clearer since Vickery has been upfront and unequivocal in his support for a woman's right to choose from the beginning.
Vickery has an excellent chance of winning. He has a strong base of support in Western Massachusetts, and he is working closely with the campaigns of the rest of the Democratic ticket -- who are pro-choice down the line. But Wilson is outspending him by about 3-1 in the closing weeks with an expensive advertising blitz. Vickery needs our help. Contributions can be made by credit card from anywhere in the state and anywhere in the country. A last minute infusion of cash could be decisive in this race.
The campaign also needs volunteers: (413) 549-9933
Let's not allow a stealth antiabortion candidate to slip into this office -- an office that Peter Vickery calls the "last firewall" for protecting our constitutional rights in Massachusetts.
posted by Frederick Clarkson at 1:01 PM
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