Planned Parenthood's Endorsement of Clinton

[MineralMan]

is that organization's choice. It was made based on factors that are unique to that organization. Some people have declared that they will no longer support PP due to this endorsement. That is short-sighted and unfortunate.

Regardless of who is elected as President, Planned Parenthood's services to women will still be needed for a long time to come. Reproductive rights for women are still under serious attack in many states, all of which have Republican-dominated legislatures. Universal single-payer healthcare is not really something that will be enacted anytime soon.

In order for single-payer healthcare to become a reality, we would need not only a President dedicated to its implementation, but strong, filibuster-proof majorities in both houses of Congress. Such a change is not in the cards in 2016, and probably not even in 2020. Without that Democratic control of the White House and Congress, no single-payer legislation is possible.

Whether you agree or disagree with Planned Parenthood's PAC endorsement of Hillary Clinton, the fact remains that the organization performs a crucial role in women's reproductive health services. It needs financial and other support from all progressive Americans. My wife and I have increased our donations to PP, due to the threats made by some to cut off support. I recommend that all DUers do the same at this time.

We should not be using PP's endorsement as a reason to withhold our continuing support for women's reproductive choices. That would be a terrible mistake for us to make at a critical time in the need for such services in many of our states. It's irresponsible to use that outstanding organization as some sort of pawn in 2016 primary elections.

Both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders fully support women in their need for reproductive health services. This is not an issue where the two of them differ in any material way. We will not have Medicare for All or any other single-payer healthcare system in place in the next four years. That struggle will continue far beyond this election year. I don't think there is any question about that.

Thank you for reading this OP.

[virtualobserver]

1. majorities in both houses will be "in the cards" if we play our best hand...Bernie!

Also, Bernie will hold Congressional feet to the fire.

[djean111]

2. I know - it is ridiculous to imply that Bernie would somehow do less for PP or

not have their back. And being informed that if I stand with PP, I must therefore stand with Hillary is such a pathetic reach. I get the feeling this did not go as planned. Bernie's supporters keep paying attention to issues, and not attempted guilt trips and such.

[MineralMan]

6. I said nothing to the contrary.

I said that we all need to continue to support PP, regardless. That need does not change due to their endorsement.

[MineralMan]

4. That is wishful thinking for 2016.

We are likely to regain a lean majority in the Senate, but there is zero chance of electing a House majority in 2016.

It doesn't matter how effective the next President is. Any change as major as single-payer healthcare will not happen without substantial majorities in Congress. Thinking otherwise is simply foolish.

[virtualobserver]

9. zero chance if we choose Hillary

There is a huge majority waiting to be captured by the right candidate.....

[MeNMyVolt]

3. Thank you for writing this OP. K&R

[MineralMan]

5. It should not even need saying, in my opinion.

Apparently, though, it does.

[redgreenandblue]

7. IMO it was a stupid move on their part. They should fire their manager.

The same would be true had they endorsed Bernie. What do they stand to gain by doing this? In return, they will certainly lose at least a few donations.

[MineralMan]

8. Withholding financial support for PP would be stupid.

Self-destructive, too. I can't imagine any thinking person doing that, frankly.

[redgreenandblue]

10. Some people might decide that their support is better placed elsewhere.

When you have a certain amount of spare cash to donate, there is always the question of how it is best utilized. It is not like there aren't other groups with similar goals that one could decide to support instead. It is simply a fact of life that different groups with similar platforms are always in competition for the same pool of donations.

I, frankly, don't understand how someone can choose to take sides in a contested race and not expect a backlash of some form from the "other side". I don't see this endorsement as serving any useful purpose whatsoever. You are right that a lot of people probably won't care, but some will.

[randome]

14. There are only 'sides' within the Democratic party if you choose to see them.

There is nothing to be gained by exacting retribution on our own.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]A ton of bricks, a ton of feathers, it's still gonna hurt.[/center][/font][hr]

[redgreenandblue]

15. The people who decided to do the endorsement apparently see such 'sides'.

Maybe you should have a word with them.

[oasis]

11. The row over PP will disappear shortly after Hillary's nomination.

There will be a process of mending and coming together.

[MineralMan]

12. I certainly hope so.

We desperately need PP in this country. The scorched earth tactics of some are going to cause great harm, I believe, and the Facebook attacks on PP are part of those tactics. Since there's no way to know who among those FB comment writers are actual supporters of Planned Parenthood, it's hard to tell who is just there to trash the organization.

It's very frustrating.

"Feel the Bern, or else..." is a bad strategy altogether. I hate to see this in a Democratic primary race.

[redgreenandblue]

16. The definition of projection: Accuse others of doing the thing that you are doing.

The "scorched earth tactics" were initiated by those who decided PP needed to take sides in a primary race. They are 100% to blame for the situation. And yes, the same would be true had they endorsed any other candidate.

[Gothmog]

13. I stand with Planned Parenthood

This was a good endorsement

[MineralMan]

17. Everyone who cares about reproductive choice stands with PP.

That includes both Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton. Both support PP's goals. The endorsement came because PP believes Clinton has the best chance of winning and has a long history of championing those goals.

Those who use threats of withholding financial support probably don't really support PP in the first place. Such threats are a chump move, in my opinion, and some are probably made by opponents of reproductive choice pretending to be supporters.