Brownback is making social issues a centerpiece of his campaign.
DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) - Republican presidential candidate Sam Brownback kicked off a three-day series of events in Iowa on Friday with Bobby Schindler, the brother of the late Terri Schiavo, whose death sparked controversy over a person's right to choose to die.
At a campaign stop in West Des Moines Saturday, the Republican senator from Kansas said the name for the "Pro-life, Whole-life" tour was created because it "applies to everybody at every stage in life."
"It's about life in the womb being sacred, unique, the child of a living God, but it also applies to Terry Schiavo's situation," Brownback said.
He emphasized that the best way to change the current situation surrounding pro-life issues on all fronts is to appoint judges who have similar ideals.
"We are one justice away from overturning Roe v. Wade," Brownback said. "I want to be the president that appoints that justice so that we can end this...It's a fight we're ultimately going to win because we're right."
Following the event, Brownback answered questions from the press surrounding recent calls for articles of impeachment against Vice President Dick Cheney. House Resolution 333 alleges Cheney deceived citizens and Congress in matters dealing with Iraq.
"I don't see a ground to do that. Let's see what the evidence is to bring that charge, but I don't see what that evidence is for the House to bring that charge or for the Senate to find it," he said. "I think it'd be a far better thing if we'd spend as much time and effort trying to figure out how we could work together to solve this situation in Iraq and come up with bipartisan solution and philosophy with how to we're going to deal with this long-term fight with militant Islam that we're in, instead of doing these projects that only further divide."
– CNN's Chris Welch
From CNN Politics
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I would really like to hear Sen. Brownback's stance on the death penalty. If he's "Pro-life, Whole life" why haven't I heard him come out against the death penalty?
Sen. Brownback is one scary dude. Someone like him with that much power is really frightening. Please Kansas vote this guy out next time you get the chance. This guy would be an ideal candidate for the head of the American Taliban. Vote him in for president and that's what you'll get a Christian version of the Taliban. Just as whacked as the one over in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
I was just about to bring up the same issue Jennifer. So many Republican candidates tout their "pro-life" stance, but are avid supporters of the death penalty.
I am anti-abortion with the exceptions being rape,incest or the mothers life is in danger and pro death penalty.
What's your point?
I'm also looking for a solution to 'this long-term fight' with militant theocrats. The struggle against the Islamofascists everywhere is as daunting a challenge as the battle with our homegrown Christofascists like Brownback.
Terry Schiavo did not want to live a vegetative existence as her parents apparently wished. Had she only prepared a "living will" or "advance directive", she would have been spared the abuse she endured from her parents, Jeb Bush and the Republican Congress. It is supremely arrogant to presume to speak for others on matters of their own lives, or lives within them. Speak for yourself, Senator.
What an idiot!
To remind America of this debacle (interfering with the matters of the Schiavo family) and then campaign on it is absolute jaw dropping stupidity!
I hope Brownback makes a lot of campaing noise so the Democrats can get their 4-year term to screw things up in the other direction.
YUCK....!!!!!!
I know very few people who are happy about abortion, but I also know every few people who would physically prevent a woman from getting medical treatment for an unwanted pregnancy. If they would not do that themselves, then they are hypocrites voting for other people to do just that. What makes conservatives think that they can control a woman's body and force her to endure an unwanted pregnancy? Again, I hate abortion just as much as the next guy – but I do not presume to have one pat answer for all women facing a pregnancy they cannot or do not want to see through.
Who died and made you God?
What makes you think that anyone Has the right to forse women to have a unwhanted child
Sam Brownback is a one-trick pony. Tancredo is a one-trick pony. Can either of these candidate talk about something else so they can be viewed as viable candidates for the Republican nomination.
Why is Mr. Brownback only concerned about the sanctity of life when it comes to those who cannot speak for themselves (fetuses and people in a vegetative state)?
What about people who CAN speak for themselves, like our soldiers fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq and the cilvilians of those countries? Does anybody doubt that they would like to live? The problem is that this White House and the ones defending its policies decided a long time ago to not listen. It is way easier to put words in the mouth of those who cannot yet or not any longer talk and shove a maliciously narrowminded worldview down their and our throats.
Everybody who supports this war and preaches at the same time about the sanctity of life disgusts me.
i agree, jennifer. i get very tired of all the hypocrites who go all atwitter about "pro-life" and are also pro-death penalty.
So the Senator wants to take us back to the days of back alley butchers and self induced abortions. Oh. goody, another self righteous, holier than thou Republican white male.........
I was just wondering the same thing... I haven't seen too many backers of our presidents "culture of life" who are against capital punishment... Seems odd that life is precious until you've sinned enough... Then you may play God.
Sorry Jennifer. This man only knows one issue.
Go get 'em, Sam!
Unfortunately, this country doesn't have the moral fortitute to deserve a president like Sen. Brownback. Instead, morally bankrupt candidates in both parties get our attention and support. And that's a shame.
Hopefully we can end the scourge of abortion soon, and I applaud Sen. Brownback for making sure Republicans (and all Americans) don't forget what a tragedy abortion is.
Not only does Sam want us to go back to the 50's where life was so much better, all white schools, abortions with a coat hanger, he wants the world and all of to worship his all loving God....if you dont your are not a true american
“It’s about life in the womb being sacred, unique, the child of a living God, but it also applies to Terry Schiavo’s situation,” Brownback said.
What a nut!
I am grateful that I have never faced abortion or a situation such as Schiavo’s, but it is my belief that the decision does not belong to the government. Brownback is using this to appeal to the right wing. If he really cared about life, he would vote to end the Iraq war, stop the death penalty and vote for health care for all.
Who elected this guy anyway?
“WE THE PEOPLE”
So how exactly does someone else's abortion affect you? Aren't there a lot more important issues facing our nation that we should be focusing on? What a stupid campaign tour theme. He knows it's a topic that'll bring out his base, but it's sure not helping to turn this country to what's really threatening us. If I were an Iowa Republican, I'd feel cheated and disrespected, almost manipulated.
Again, does he know what it's like to have to make a choice to have an abortion? It's going to happen anyways, the government might as well make sure it's done safely. Why is abortion and gay marriage always such a big subject? Why don't they focus more of their efforts on the general wellbeing of the public and work on understanding what really plagues us. I don't think many politicians even know what being part of the general population means.
I wish we just one justice away from overturning all the Court's jurisprudence since Lochner. Too bad we can't clone Clarence Thomas 9 times. That'd sure fix the Congress/President's collective wagons, in a major way.
Brownback is just a one-issue guy like Tancredo. I guess they are the Republican Kucinich/Gravel.
"Unfortunately, this country doesn’t have the moral fortitute to deserve a president like Sen. Brownback"
Yeah... we need a president who thinks stem cells talk. He'd be even more dumb that the current one.
Republicans wave abortion around to distract voters from the issues that actually affect their daily lives. Fortunately , most voters have caught on to this ruse. I think Brownback is about 8 years too late to run on this hollow issue.
I love how Republicans call for small government; just small enough to fit in your bed room and your hospital room.
Tell us what you think about the death penalty, oh moral one.
It's absurd to compare the elimination of violent criminals with the murder of innocent children.
I am so tired of the lame arguments and ridiculous comparisons that people make simply because they want to be allowed to murder children because giving birth would be an inconvienient result of a promiscuous lifestyle (in many cases).
It never fails to amaze me how liberals want to save the planet, save criminals, save the people of Darfur, and protect the creeps in Gitmo while at the same time will fight to ensure the continued murder of innocent children. Where is the "save the children" group within the liberal movement?