Bob Casey abandons father’s abortion legacy

It’s a sad day for Pennsylvania, and for the late Gov. Robert P. Casey’s legacy.

I serve on the board of Democrats for Life of America. At DFLA, we believe that opposition to capital punishment and access to decent health care are pro-life positions. We know that living wages are pro-life, as are safety nets for at-risk populations. We understand that there are serious societal conditions that drive women to abortion, and we know that these must be addressed as part of the pro-life effort.

Years ago, I worked with then-Gov. Casey to draft and cosign “A New American Compact: Caring About Women, Caring for the Unborn.” The consistent ethic of life described therein is a philosophy on which DFLA has given me and countless other Democrats a safe haven as a robust pro-life policy framework.

Recently, the late governor’s son, Sen. Bob Casey Jr., who had in the past supported children during pregnancy, has publicly endorsed EMILY’s List — an organization specifically and solely formed to elect prochoice women to public office. Pro-life Democrats like me are not welcome there, and many national candidates who support Robert Casey Sr.’s thoughtful philosophy will be targeted for defeat by EMILY’s List. Their only “crime” is believing that the answer to a crisis pregnancy is to eliminate the crisis, not the baby.

Pro-life Democrats know what a sellout abortion is for women and children who deserve real, nonviolent choices to life challenges. With or without Sen. Bob Casey, we will continue this civil rights battle. JEANNIE WALLACE

FRENCH Upper St. Clair benign or not worth bothering with. It is a question that must be answered.

HOWARD SCHMITT Green Tree