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 The 2008 primary and caucus season for the presidency is in full swing and the upcoming Florida primary could have momentous importance in deciding the presidential candidates. Be sure that you, your friends, and family are well-informed. AdvanceUSA has prepared Candidate Comparisons for both the Democrats and the Republicans to help show you where each presidential candidate stands on some of the most important issues.
AdvanceUSA hopes these resources will be helpful as you begin/continue your research for this critically important election season.
The Florida primary will be held on Tuesday, January 29. The only remaining states conducting primaries in January of 2008 are the South Carolina Democrats on Saturday (1/26) and Florida (1/29).
On February 5 (a.k.a. “Super Tuesday”) 22 states will have primaries or caucuses (to see the list of states click here).
Stay informed and spread the word about AdvanceUSA’s 2008 Candidate Comparisons.
 Bruce R. Williams, a family physician in Blue Springs, Missouri, shares in a recent op-ed piece how the recent breakthrough with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) affects the current battle over human cloning in Missouri. He shows how this new research, which derives embryonic-like pluripotent stem cells from ordinary skin cells without creating or harming human eggs or embryos, makes the push for human cloning totally unnecessary.
Excerpts:
The new method, referred to as “direct reprogramming” allows researchers to use skin cells to reproduce stem cells believed to be identical to those that were previously taken from human embryos. No cloning. No destruction of human life. No ethical controversy.
How big is this breakthrough? The scientist who created Dolly the cloned sheep, Ian Wilmut, has already announced he is abandoning cloning research in favor of the new method. Wilmut believes this new method holds more promise for finding treatments, including treating strokes, heart attacks, Parkinson’s and other diseases.
…
The Missouri Cures Without Cloning initiative seeks to prohibit the unnecessary research. It would ensure that human cloning is prohibited within the state of Missouri.
While this new scientific breakthrough holds the promise to new treatments for diseases including diabetes and Parkinson’s, why do some continue their battle to support human cloning?
The time has come to say no to human cloning in Missouri.
For more information on human cloning check out the AdvanceUSA human cloning/Missouri page or check the Missouri Cures Without Cloning website.
From the President: To read President Bush’s statements to marchers at the White House click here.
Good Reporting: Mark Hemingway from National Review Online has some great photos and excellent reporting of the march in a recent article.
Encouraging News: Barna says that evangelical Christians consider abortion their top concern (94% list it as an important issue).
More Resources: For more March for Life coverage from other bloggers check the FRC Blog.
UPDATE: The Washington Post has a great article today about the March For Life entitled “A Youthful Throng Marches Against Abortion.” Let’s hope other mainstream media outlets report this important event with the coverage it deserves.
It is
truly impressive to see the huge crowds of ordinary Americans marching in the
streets of our nation’s capital, to expose the world to the injustice of
abortion and to proclaim that the pro-life cause has not been abandoned. Here are some photos of yesterday’s March for Life event taken by AdvanceUSA DC
staff member Daniel Herbster:
Praying
for the end of Roe and the end of
abortion
Massive
crowds gathered in the shadow of the Capitol to hear pro-life speakers on the
National Mall.
The
spires of the Smithsonian look down on the gathering crowds. More photos below. Click "Read More" to view the rest.
We expect
a vote on the Vitter amendment soon.
Call both your
senators today and urge them to vote “Yes” on Sen. Vitter’s
amendment to the Indian Health Services bill (S. 1200) and ensure that your tax
dollars are not spent to provide abortions.
We will post Senate vote results when they become available.
For more information on this crucial pro-life legislation click here.
Our friends at FRC were generous enough to host many conservative bloggers to hear a wonderful selection of pro-life activists, thinkers, and politicians.
Staying warm in the lovely facilities at FRC
Michael Illions shares the story of his son Cole who he and his wife decided to have despite incredible pressure to simply abort their child late in the pregnancy due to potentially severe health concerns. Mr. Illions and his wife do not regret their decision to “choose life.”
Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS), pro-life and pro-family champion of the Senate.
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Pro-Life Caucus and a strong pro-life leader.
Photos by Daniel Herbster
Daniel
Herbster (AdvanceUSA DC staff
member) posting:
At the conservative blogger luncheon I was privileged to attend, we again heard
from Johnson County (Kansas) District Attorney Phil Kline about his efforts to
investigate Planned Parenthood for serious breaches of the law.
We then
heard from Hadley Arkes again who mentioned the importance of selecting a
pro-life president. He said that a president can sometimes err by being
“all action and no talk.” His point is that a president should lead the
charge in articulating a pro-life philosophy and spearhead real efforts to
restrict abortion and foster a culture of life (not just do the bare minimum to
be considered pro-life). Turning his attention to the current
presidential primary, Arkes encouraged the Republican Party to not abandon the
classic balance of social, economic, and defense conservatism and warned that
three of the five major GOP candidates (this was before news of Fred Thompson’s
withdrawal became public) would fracture this important coalition.
After the
blogger conference I traipsed over to the National Mall to survey the massive
crowds, take in a few pro-life speeches, take some photos of the crowds from
the Capitol, and take in the events being held in front of the Supreme Court
building.
I hope to
get some of my photos up soon.
Daniel
Herbster (AdvanceUSA DC
staff member) posting:
Earlier this morning Kansas prosecuting attorney (and former KS Attorney
General) Phil Kline chronicled his dealings with the notorious abortion pusher
Planned Parenthood in his home state and demonstrated how the mainstream
media's pro-abortion bias clouds their judgment and observations (some times
almost humorously). It was great to see, in person, this pro-life
crusader who is attempting to expose the abuses of Planned Parenthood and bring
them to justice.
Next, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) reiterated the need to examine Planned Parenthood
and do everything possible to insure that they do not receive taxpayer
dollars. He referenced a recent speech he gave on the House floor called
"time to take a second look at child abuse incorporated" which you
can read
for yourself here.
Now I'm listening to Hadley P. Arkes (one of our friends from FRC) who is
emphasizing that judicial nominations are not the only means for promoting the
"culture of life." Too often pro-lifers think that overturning
Roe is the only thing we can do (as good as that would be) and are too easily mollified
by politicians who promise us "good judges."
Next I'll be attending a luncheon for conservative bloggers, and then I hope to
venture out into the cold and observe some of the March for Life myself.
Check back with AdvanceUSA Blog for photos of today's events.
To view the March for Life event live check out their website. To view live streaming of the Blogs for Life event at FRC check FRC's blog.
For more coverage of today's pro-life events be sure to check back with AdvanceUSA Blog!
Daniel Herbster (AdvanceUSA DC staff member) posting:
Though the weather outside is frigid, I got to spend the morning in the warm confiness of the Family Research Center in downtown Washington , DC.
Today is the "March for Life" and I am covering the "Blogs for Life" event here at FRC. We've heard from several special speakers about the pro-life movement and harnesing technology in that effort.
Michael Illions told the story of his son Cole. Late in his wife's pregnancy doctors told the couple that their unborn son had irreparable brain defects and encouraged the couple to have an abortion. Though the couple experienced much pressure to abort the child they were determined to give their son a chance at life. Now they are glad they chose life as their son Cole, despite serious health challenges, has the prospects of a fairly normal life. The Illions' inspiring story is a stirring challenge for us to respect all human life, despite serious challenges.
We next heard from Sen. Sam Brownback, who has long been a champion of the pro-life and pro-family cause. He reminded us of the wonderful history behind the march for life and warned us that despite the massive crowds that would gather today in the nation's capital, the mainstream media would most likely minimize the significance of the March for Life. The Senator reminded our gathering that we are "fighting for life" and not against people, activists, women, or doctors. What we are fighting against, he said, is "death, fear, and despair."
Many great speakers (including: Michael New, Phil Kline, Rep. Chris Smith, and others) are coming up!
Check back later for more special reports. Hopefully, I will be posting some photos of the March and of some of today's speakers later today or tomorrow.
January 22, 2008 marks the 35th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision in which the Supreme Court usurped the will of the people, ignored the authority of representative government, and erroneously declared a constitutional right to kill unborn children in the womb. The verdict opened the door to abortion on demand and, as Cal Thomas points out, devastatingly damaged our culture and society.
For years, in our nation’s capital and across the country, the March for Life has taken place on this somber anniversary, and this year’s events will be especially important. AdvanceUSA will be blogging the events in Washington, DC live and anticipates supplying first-hand reporting on our website and blog.
 In the vast majority of instances when Americans are given a chance to vote to support the traditional definition of marriage, they do. Unfortunately, liberal obstructionists fight tooth and nail to keep voters from being able to decide at the ballot box how their states should define marriage. The battle rages on in several states. Here’s an update on what is going on in four of them (PA, IN, FL, and IA):
Florida
AdvanceUSA recently reported that more signatures were needed so that Floridians will have a chance to vote to protect marriage on their 2008 ballot. Now our friends at Florida4Marriage.org are trying to correct the record because of misleading and dated information disseminated by four newspapers and picked up by other news organizations mistakenly claiming that the marriage amendment is already approved for the ballot. Here’s an excerpt of their critique:
In an [sic] stunning display of journalistic confusion, no less than four daily newspapers tied to the EW Scripps Treasure Coast Newspaper Company printed a one month old (and therefore inaccurate) story about the status of the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment.
…
These stories totally missed the breaking news that was all over the state this week that Florida4Marriage.org needs an additional 22,000 petitions to qualify for the ballot after an unprecedented audit was ordered by the state.
While it appears to be a legitimate and embarrassing mistake, the effects of this mistake in this time of crisis and emergency make it that much more egregious to the effort.
For the record: Florida4Marriage.org is still collecting petitions and we continue to do so without stopping all the way till the deadline of Tuesday January 29, 2008. All petitions must be in the Florida4Marriage.org office no later than 5:00pm on January 29, 2008. (4853 S. Orange Avenue, Orlando FL 32806). For more information visit: www.Florida4Marriage.org
To find out how you can support marriage in Florida, check Florida4Marriage.org.
Pennsylvania
According to http://www.pa4marriage.org/ State Senator Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster) will soon introduce a marriage protection amendment bill to “protect the definition of marriage as the union between one man and one woman and prevent creation of civil unions (or other terms used to give all the legal benefits of marriage under a different name).” Concerned Pennsylvanians should contact their state senators (by phone or in person) and urge them to cosponsor Sen. Brubaker’s bill and vote “Yes” on this marriage protection amendment to the Pennsylvania constitution.
For more information on protecting marriage in Pennsylvania, check http://www.pa4marriage.org/
Indiana
Despite the fact that legislative committees frequently consider dozens of pieces of legislation simultaneously, House Rules Chairman Scott Pelath (D-Michigan City) claims there is not enough time to consider the marriage amendment and the property tax issue. If the marriage amendment is not passed by the legislature this legislative term, Hoosier voters will be deprived of an opportunity to support the protection of marriage in Indiana on their 2008 ballot.
Concerned Hoosiers are encouraged to contact state representative Pelath and encourage him to give marriage the attention it deserves.
Check with the AFA of Indiana for more information.
UPDATE: The Christian Post reports that
an Indiana
state senate committee has approved the Indiana marriage amendment.
Now the state house must approve the bill, or it will take six years before the
amendment could be considered again. House Speaker Patrick Bauer (D-South
Bend) has indicated that he will obstruct the bill. Concerned Hoosiers
should let their voices be heard. To find out who your Indiana state house representative is and
how to contact him/her click here.
Iowa
Excerpt from the Des Moines Register:
Hundreds of people gathered Wednesday [January 16] at the State Capitol, asking lawmakers to launch an effort to amend the state constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage.
As AdvanceUSA reported this summer, many Iowans were understandably outraged when a federal judge mandated same-sex marriage in Iowa from the bench. Here’s hoping pro-traditional marriage Iowans are successful in their efforts.
The Hill
reports on this sad
result of partisan judicial obstruction.
This is a
grim reminder of the importance of appointing qualified originalist judges to
federal benches and of supporting presidential candidates who will nominate
only those who understand the proper role of the judiciary and will not
“legislate from the bench.”
To see
how the current presidential candidates stand on important issues check out
AdvanceUSA’s 2008 Candidate
Comparisons.
CitizenLink
reports on this
disturbing fact.
The drastic
misconceptions about Roe vs. Wade among average Americans (even
conservative ones) did not happen by accident. They are due in large part
to intentional media distortion of the facts and concrete implications of the wrongly
decided case. In his important pro-life book The
Party of Death, conservative author and journalist Ramesh Ponnuru
documents the media distortion of Roe and thoroughly and accessibly
corrects the record, making the case for respecting the inalienable “right to
life” of the unborn.
The 2008 primary and caucus season for the presidency is in full swing. Be sure that you, your friends, and family are well-informed. AdvanceUSA has prepared Candidate Comparisons for both the Democrats and the Republicans to help show you where each presidential candidate stands on some of the most important issues.
AdvanceUSA hopes these resources will be helpful as you begin/continue your research for this critically important election season.
The Florida primary will be held a week from tomorrow, January 15 (Tuesday of next week). The only remaining states conducting primaries in January of 2008 are South Carolina Democrats (1/26) and Florida (1/29).
On February 5 (a.k.a. “Super Tuesday”) 22 states will have primaries or caucuses (to see the list of states click here).
Stay informed and spread the word about AdvanceUSA’s 2008 Candidate Comparisons.
 Yesterday in caucuses across the state, Nevada Democrats picked Sen. Hillary Clinton to be their party’s presidential candidate while Nevada Republicans chose Gov. Mitt Romney. In the famous “first-in-the-South” Republican South Carolina primary Sen. John McCain won first place.
South Carolina Democrats will vote on Saturday (January 26) while the critical Florida primary is ten days away on Tuesday, January 29.
On February 5 (a.k.a. “Super Tuesday”) 22 states will have primaries or caucuses (to see the list of states click here).
Additionally if you or your family and friends have questions about where the major candidates stand on issues important to you, check out AdvanceUSA’s 2008 Candidate Comparisons.
South Carolina GOP Primary (January 19, 2008)
The Democrats*
The Republicans
John McCain 33%
Mike Huckabee 30%
Fred Thompson 16%
Mitt Romney 15%
Ron Paul 4%
Rudy Giuliani 2%
Duncan Hunter 0%
Tom Tancredo 0%
* South Carolina Democrats head to the polls on Saturday, January 26.
USA Today has the full SC results here.
Nevada Caucuses (January 19, 2008)
The Democrats
Hillary Clinton 51%
Barack Obama 45%
John Edwards 4%
Uncommitted 0%
Dennis Kucinich 0%
Bill Richardson 0%
Mike Gravel 0%
Chris Dodd 0%
Joe Biden 0%
The Republicans
Mitt Romney 51%
Ron Paul 14%
John McCain 13%
Mike Huckabee 8%
Fred Thompson 8%
Rudy Giuliani 4%
Duncan Hunter 2%
USA Today has the full NV results here.
Tomorrow Nevadans of both parties will caucus to select their choice to be their party’s presidential candidate. Additionally tomorrow, South Carolina Republicans will take place in the nation’s first-in-the-South primary while their Democrat brethren will vote a week later on January 26.
AdvanceUSA Blog will post the vote results Sunday morning, and they will be posted on the website soon after. Until then, USA Today has a helpful resource for monitoring poll results as they come in.
To see how the presidential candidates stand on important issues check out AdvanceUSA’s 2008 Candidate Comparisons.
 The way Federal Title X (title ten) funds are spent in this country is in drastic need of reform. Title X funds are supposed to support family planning services but are often given to abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. Under President Ronald Reagan and the first President Bush, federal regulations were clearly written to prevent recipients of Title X funds from referring for abortions or combining family planning services with abortion services (ex: working at the same location). AdvanceUSA encourages the current Bush administration to issue Title X regulations which do two things:
- reestablish prohibitions against family planning services co-locating with abortion providers
- rescind regulations for family planning services which require them to refer for abortions
AdvanceUSA also supports legislation aimed at preventing taxpayers’ Title X funds from supporting groups like Planned Parenthood (especially since Planned Parenthood is under investigation for serious allegations of law-breaking and ethical malfeasance). American’s tax dollars should not be used to support abortion, and we hope Congress and the President will act accordingly.
Check the pro-life page for more pro-life news.
 Do you want your tax dollars used to fund abortions within the United States? Currently the Hyde Amendment prohibits taxpayer-funding of abortion in most of the United States, but the sovereign territories of Indian nations within the U.S. are exempt from this provision. AdvanceUSA has learned that Senator David Vitter (R-LA) intends to propose an amendment to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (S. 1200) which would codify a longstanding policy against funding abortions with taxpayer-funds from the federal Indian Health Services (IHS). The amendment would prohibit federal funding for abortions except to save the life of the mother or in cases of rape or incest of a minor. The Vitter amendment could be considered immediately when the Senate reconvenes on January 22, which is interestingly enough the date for the March for Life and the 35th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade.
Call both your senators today and urge them to support the Vitter amendment to S. 1200!
Excerpt from LifeNews story:
According to Douglas Johnson, the director of legislation for the National Right to Life Committee, the IHS is funded through the separate Interior appropriations bill. As a result, it has never carried the Hyde amendment and the bill funded abortions well after the Hyde amendment was first enacted in 1976.
The Reagan Administration curbed the practice administratively in 1982, as a temporary fix, Johnson said. In 1988, Congress said that the Hyde amendment would apply to the IHS bill.
Johnson said the Vitter amendment is important to make sure that the abortion funding limits become federal law.
Should a pro-abortion president occupy the White House and abortion advocates control Congress, there is nothing that could stop them from changing the current regulations unless a federal law prohibiting the funding is in place.
The International Herald Tribune reports on a reported case of human embryo cloning. To watch an MSNBC video report of this story click here. Excerpts from IHT:
Scientists in California say they have produced embryos that are clones of two men...
…
The process "involves creating human lives in the laboratory solely to destroy them for alleged benefit to others," said Richard Doerflinger, spokesman for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Citing the earlier work in Britain, he also said that as a scientific advancement, the new work was "very limited."
Other objections to cloning include concerns about health risks and exploitation if large numbers of women are asked to provide eggs.
Those objections are one reason that an alternative route to stem cells made headlines last November. Scientists reported a relativ | | |