Mark Stricherz: "You Can’t Hate Bart Stupak"

Mark Stricherz writes about the charm and strength of character that make it difficult for Rep. Bart Stupak's political adversaries to dislike him:

... Bart Stupak is an exception to this rule. Hating the Michigan Democrat is all but impossible. Scan the blogosphere and media about Stupak, and you find that nobody has come up with a real criticism of the man.

Oh sure, hating everything other than his personality and character is possible. His anti-abortion amendment is hated. His power is hated. His religion is hated. His political choice to fight this pro-life battle instead of others is hated — well, disliked. But he is not hated.

What’s to hate? He’s straightforward. He’s principled. He’s not vainglorious. His life story, that of a cop turned politician, is admirable and sympathetic. He’s what key members of Congress were before the advent of the Internet: He isn’t the issue; his legislation is.

[...]

Stupak’s critics should admit the obvious: He’s a man of charm and good character. His virtues don’t make him a charismatic leader, policy genius, or adroit bureaucratic infighter. He’s not the next Wilbur Mills or Henry Waxman. He’s more like Harry Truman, Hubert Humphrey, or Jack Kemp. His personal virtues insulate him from the politics of personal destruction. If he were unlikable or had a moral defect, his power and influence would likely erode. Instead, he is the man who may cause the Democrats’ latest health-care reform effort to go down in flames.

My Comments:
Maybe Rep. Stupak should run against President Obama for the Democratic nomination in 2012?


Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
Hoyer: Dems Could Create Abortion Bill - TO BE VOTED ON SEPARATELY - to Satisfy Stupak

Aborting the Stupak-Less Senate Health Care Bill

U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference Contradicts Pelosi's Claim That Senate Health Bill Doesn't Fund Abortion

Patrick Archbold on "The Great Pro-Life Outing"

Bart Stupak: Senate Health Care Bill Dead on Arrival in House

Steve Dillard on Bart Stupak: "Pro-Life Warrior"

To Bart Stupak, On the Eve of Battle

Democrats Reveal Priorities: Universal Abortion Trumps Universal Health Coverage

Health Care, Politicians and the Catholic Conscience

Feel Free to Oppose Health Care Reform in Good Conscience ...

White House at Odds with Bishops Over Abortion Coverage in Reid "Health Care" Bill

"Pro-Life" Harry Reid Strips Stupak Language from Senate ObamaCare Bill

Epic Fail: Legal Hack Toobin Relies on Falsified Source for Abortion "History" in Article Against Stupak Amendment

Stupak Warns Democrats Not to Mess with Anti-Abortion Health Care Language

Because Blaming the Minority Opposition Party is Easier Than Owning Up to Having Aligned Yourself With a Party For Whom Abortion is a Sacrament

A Big Pro Ecclesia Thank You ...

Stupak Still Fighting Good Fight: Says He Has 40 Democrat Votes to Stop Health Care Reform Over Abortion Coverage; Says President Being Disingenuous

House Democrats Block Vote to Cut Abortion From Health Care Bill

Michael Sean Winters: "Deceitful Bogeyman" of the Catholic Left

Catholic Bishops: All Current Health Care Bills in Congress Would Permit Federal Funding of Abortion

Catholic Senators are Decisive Factor in Defeating Abortion Funding Ban and Conscience Protection in Health Care Bill

Can Stupak Be Counted Upon to Stand Firm on Abortion? Probably Not

Congressman Bart Stupak, Democrat, Defending the Right to Life in Heath Care

Pro-Life Catholic Dem: "We Believe We Have the Votes" to Shut Down Healthcare Over Abortion

Obama Won't Meet With Pro-Life Democrat to Discuss Abortion, Health Care

Pro-Life Catholic Dem: Prevent Abortion Funding, Or I'll Block Healthcare

House Democrats Will Likely Prevent Vote to Remove Abortion From Health Care

Deal Hudson: "Why Catholics Will Not Get Abortion Out of the Health Care Bill" [UPDATED]

LA Times: Next Hurdle in Healthcare "Debate" is Abortion

Congressman Smith Warns Against Phony ‘Compromise’ on Abortion Mandates in ObamaCare

Dem Says Language Expressly Prohibiting Abortion Funding a Must in Health Care Bill [UPDATED]

Pelosi Accused of Muzzling Opposition to Taxpayer-Funded D.C. Abortions