That's my personalized rendition of Bob Corker's signature at the end of his commercials (I have fun impersonating him). The Tennessean has an interesting article today regarding what many Republicans have been asking since Bob Corker entered the Republican primary race: is Corker truly a conservative that supports pro-life legislation? He continuously begs people to believe him that he is indeed such a candidate, but many have true doubts about that stance. The Tennessee Right to Life organization has even gone on to say that they will not support the Republicans this Fall if Corker wins the primary. Republican leaders point to his campaign donations to Democrats and a major decision he made while serving as a member of the Gov. Sundquist administration.
Corker also has drawn the ire of some Republicans over a flap when he was state finance commissioner in 1995 under former Gov. Don Sundquist.
His critics claim that he blocked an amendment to the state budget that year that would prohibit the use of state tax dollars on abortions.
"I remember he being mad and thinking I was playing politics with it," said the man who brought him the amendment, state Rep. Bill Dunn.
Corker's opposition surprised Dunn because he figured Sundquist would support such a measure just as he had on the federal level when he was in Congress, said Dunn, a Republican from Knoxville.
Corker's recollection is different.
"I told him I agreed very much with what he wanted to do, but I knew no way the amendment would pass at the 11th hour," Corker said. He suggested to Dunn that he try again the next year.
Bryant [Former US-Rep Ed Bryant running against Corker] doesn't buy that explanation: "I'd like to respond that you're pro-life 24 hours a day, and if you're pro-life, very often the 11th hour is when you have to be strongest."
The Tennessean interviewed Corker's friend Edee Orr and asked her what she thought; she is fully convinced that he supports pro-life issues. Well, thank you Tennessean and Edee for clearing that up. Myself, I have some doubts. Corker says that he had a change of heart (some call that a "flip-flop") seven or eight years ago.
"Since that time, certainly, I've served in the public arena. I understand the issue in a totally different light and realize it's about protecting the unborn," Corker said last week. "I personally believe that life begins at conception and believe we should protect the unborn. I am pro-life."
...
In 1994, "I was looking at it more from a perspective of laws governing the adult versus protecting the unborn," he said. Since that time, he has served in public office and raised two daughters.
I sure that it is entirely conceivable that Corker could have changed his mind, but I am not totally convinced myself. It is now politically favorable for Bob to have a pro-life stance; most Tennesseans (the voters) support pro-life legislation. If he wants to get elected, of course he has to say such things. This is what I feel is going on: Bob wants to get elected, and this stance is required to get the votes. This is simply election-year rhetoric. On the other hand, though, it is also entirely possible that this is just the best issue that his opponents can use against Corker. Goodness, election years are confusing! (more here)
tagged 06election, tennessee, politics
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