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Obama Nominates Extreme Pro-Abortion Gov. Sebelius as Health Secretary

Yet another pro-abortion Catholic nominated for Obama administration cabinet position

By Kathleen Gilbert

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 2, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - This afternoon President Obama is scheduled to officially nominate Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, one of the nation's most pro-abortion politicians, as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The Sebelius pick has the pro-life community up in arms, due to her extreme pro-abortion record and ties to Kansas' controversial abortion industry, including notorious late-term abortionist George Tiller.  Columnist Robert Novak has called Sebelius "the national pro-choice poster girl."

"Gov. Kathleen Sebelius ... is so blinded by her extreme commitment to abortion that she cannot be trusted to act in the best interest of those she should protect," said Mathew D. Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, in response to the nomination. "Having her serve as the Secretary of Health and Human Services would be like the proverbial fox guarding the hen house."

While a state representative, Gov. Sebelius fought against laws that would provide parental notification of minors' abortions, greater abortion waiting periods, and informed consent.  As governor Sebelius has often acted in accordance with George Tiller's political action committee, ProKanDo. She has issued two vetoes against abortion facility regulation legislation, and one against a bill requiring explicit medical reasons for a late-term abortion. 

According to an Operation Rescue investigation, Gov. Sebelius threw a secret party at the governor's mansion in April 2007 for Tiller, whom OR says has funneled tens of thousands of dollars to Sebelius campaigns over the years.  Sebelius' office later claimed that Tiller, who is currently on trial facing numerous counts of conducting illegal late-term abortions, was the winner of an auction for the dinner. 

At a 2007 Kansas Planned Parenthood (PP) fundraiser, the abortion group celebrated Sebelius as a pro-abortion "champion" on the occasion of her birthday.  Five months later, Planned Parenthood was charged with 107 criminal counts, including 23 felonies involving illegal abortions.

The pro-abortion record of the "Catholic" governor is so egregious that Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann publically admonished Sebelius last May to refrain from receiving Holy Communion until she took "the necessary steps for amendment of her life, which would include a public repudiation of her previous efforts and actions in support of laws and policies sanctioning abortion."

A senate confirmation hearing will need to ratify Obama's nomination before Sebelius takes the HHS helm.

"Obama's lack of judgment when it comes to cabinet appointments is especially evident in his choice of Sebelius," remarked Operation Rescue President Troy Newman, who has been heavily involved in exposing Kansas' abortion corruption scandal, including the ties between Sebelius, Tiller and Planned Parenthood.

"Her cozy connections to late-term abortionist George Tiller and involvement in numerous abortion scandals makes her unfit to serve."

Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of the Susan B. Anthony List, said that the nomination "is further evidence of something gone terribly wrong for those seeking consensus on the abortion issue, especially the President."
 
While Tom McClusky, Senior Vice President of the Family Research Council, says Sebelius' abortion industry alliances "leaves no doubt she will be a strong advocate for abortion disguised as 'health care.'"  McCluskey added that the nomination is a sign Obama "will be openly declaring war on the millions of Americans who support life."

Earlier this week, Sebelius attempted to downplay her extreme views on abortion, saying, "While my beliefs teach me that abortion is morally unacceptable, as a public official, I have worked hard to ensure that abortions are rare, safe and within the bounds of the law."

Operation Rescue Senior Policy Advisor Cheryl Sullenger called the statement "so misleading that it is an embarrassment," citing Sebelius' record opposing informed consent and safety regulations, and her ties to members of the abortion industry now facing criminal charges. 

"Sebelius is trying to hoodwink the American people by grossly misrepresenting the reality of her radical abortion policies," said Sullenger.

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

Obama Selects Yet another Pro-Abortion "Catholic" for Leading Office
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jan/09010603.html

Catholic Kansas Gov. Sebelius Vetoes Restrictions on Late-Term Abortion
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/apr/08042203.html

Sebelius Issues "Laughable" Defense of Secret Party at Governor's Mansion Honoring Abortionist Tiller
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/may/08052904.html

Archbishop Publicly Tells Pro-Abortion Kansas Governor Not to Receive Communion
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/may/08051001.html

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