March 3, 2009
Posted: March 3rd, 2009 01:40 PM ET

From
A group of Christian leaders issued a statement in support of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, the President's choice to lead HHS.
A group of Christian leaders issued a statement in support of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, the President's choice to lead HHS.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, President Obama’s nominee to head the Department of Health and Human Services, is getting some support from Christian leaders in what could be a brewing battle over her position on abortion policy.

Sebelius, who is Catholic and personally opposed to abortion, has nonetheless angered some religious groups with her policy positions on abortion during her tenure as governor.

In a statement issued Monday, a group of Christian leaders said that under Sebelius, the number of abortions in the state had decreased, pre-natal care had expanded, adoption funding and incentives increased, and legislation passed that protected the unborn from crime.

“Such a record demonstrates a commitment to results rather than rhetoric on life issues,” the group said.

Citing her appeal in a heavily Republican state, the group also suggested Sebelius has the ability to bridge ideological divides. “Her record and her relationships with leaders in both parties are proof that pro-choice and pro-life leaders can work together to advance a pro-family agenda....Efforts to discredit her will no doubt arise,” they said, but Sebelius “deserves a fair hearing in Congress and in the public square.”

Related: Abortion could dominate Sebelius confirmation

Filed under: Abortion Rights • Kathleen Sebelius


dumbocrat alert   March 3rd, 2009 6:29 pm ET

i'm sure that the group of three also are supporting gay marriage.

Desmond   March 3rd, 2009 6:12 pm ET

Sebelius is obviously an intelligent and constructive citizen and catholic.

Turnabout is Fair Play   March 3rd, 2009 6:07 pm ET

My God that woman is hot. Definitely a MILF.

jimbo   March 3rd, 2009 5:51 pm ET

OH BOY thats the endorsment you want

mw   March 3rd, 2009 5:49 pm ET

GET HER ON BOARD. SHE CAN DO THE JOB.
OLD WHITE MALES NEED TO QUIT WORRYING ABOUT ROE VS WADE. LEAVE IT ALONE AND GET ON BOARD TRYING TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMY OF THE NATION.
SO TIRED OF NIT PICKING WANNABEE PURISTS.
TIRED OF SELF RIGHTEOUS.
TIRED OF USELESS RHETORIC.
TIRED OF THE DOBSONS, THE RUSHES, THE ROBERTSONS. CLEAN UP THE SWAGGERTS , HAGGERTS, BAKERS, AND OTHER PHONIES. STAY OUT OF THE PRIVATE MEDICAL LIVES OF WOMEN.

Tom in Delaware   March 3rd, 2009 5:45 pm ET

What? No mention of the 3 Catholic Arch-Bishops that won't allow her to take Communion?

That's not like you CNN...you always carry the whole story like an accountable and reliable news organization should.

How bizarre.

silent majority   March 3rd, 2009 5:43 pm ET

"Jesus is really the only christian leader that matters"? Where I come from, silence is presumed consent.

Erik   March 3rd, 2009 3:44 pm ET

Jesus is really the only Christian leader that matters. I've not even heard of most of the names in this letter.

Independent thinker   March 3rd, 2009 3:43 pm ET

Gov. Sebelius understands smart policy and education is the way to promote responsible parenting and help reduce unplanned pregnancies, which is something both sides can agree. She is a good choice for Health and Human Services. God bless her.

Mat   March 3rd, 2009 3:22 pm ET

I'm glad to see some common sense brought to a "third rail" topic. It's about time that someone realizes that you can reduce abortions through education, adoption and birth control.

Steve (the real one)   March 3rd, 2009 3:21 pm ET

Exactly just who are these christian leaders?

Vic of New York   March 3rd, 2009 2:24 pm ET

Like so many other catholic leaders who refuse to cloud the division between church and government, Sebelius may personally be against abortion but she understands that is a religious conviction and not the people's will.

The problem with the authoritarian neo-cons and Catholic Church is that they want not to be proactive in help remediate life issues – but want to dictate to us – Taliban Style – what a woman can or cannot do with her body.

I applaud Sebelious for demonstrating that real progress can be made on this issue by soneone more concerned with results than authoritarianism

I reject the neo-con nazi mentality and the Catholic Church for attempting to meddle with the People's government. If the Pope really wants to put his money where his mouth is, he should invite anyone who agrees with him to go live at the Vatican.

Kwood   March 3rd, 2009 2:23 pm ET

Wonder why you did not name the group. For those curious, it's Faith in Public Life. This is hardly a group one would expect to have opposed Sebelius.

America 1st   March 3rd, 2009 2:21 pm ET

President Obama is an intelligent and confident leader. He IS putting an end to an era where IDEAOLOGY got in the way of getting results.

Critics are angry that he brought this common sense approach to governing and that he is succeeding. Far too many people would rather we have 4 hears of "stuck in the mud" behavior rather than progress. Those people are treasonous and UnAmerican.

John   March 3rd, 2009 2:20 pm ET

Safe, legal, and rare.

It is better to reduce abortions by creating welcoming and safe environment for single mothers then to ban it outright and make things so much more dangerous for them.

Does the Rushpublican Party have a Boehner over Limbaugh yet?   March 3rd, 2009 2:18 pm ET

“Such a record demonstrates a commitment to results rather than rhetoric on life issues,”

Something the extremists of the right-wing nutjob Rushpublican party will never get ... or concede. And why would they when they can demonize people into submission just like all their churches practice.

JS007   March 3rd, 2009 2:08 pm ET

FINALLY! Religious leaders recognizing that results are more important than hateful or phony rhetoric. Hallelujah!

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

twitter
@PrestonCNN: RT: MMStewart Just posted: Top Dem explains slavery remark, doesn't apologize http://bit.ly/6KEGM3
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:27:32 -0800
hambypCNN: Steele and Kaine square off on health care, jobs, and Steele talks (a little bit) about his new book ... http://bit.ly/6kbvKz
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:37:59 -0800
@HornickCNN: White House to government: Continue to open up: http://bit.ly/6SC11i
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:07:15 -0800
hambypCNN: Michael Steele has a book coming out in Jan. Asked about it on CNN, Steele demurs: "Ya, that's what I'm hearing somewhere down the line."
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:52:08 -0800
hambypCNN: @DanDoranBlum nice. hopefully you get two big wins over Pitt in one week.
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:42:32 -0800
Categories
Powered by WordPress.com VIP