Ohio Democrat Threatens Pro-Life Leader With Jail

From Human Events:

Ohio Dem Threatens Pro-Life Leader with Jail


by Connie Hair



10/20/2010







Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-Ohio) got himself into deep water when he took a principled stand to defend life earlier this year -- then buckled to his pro-abortion leadership to vote in favor of passing Obamacare.



The legislation passed by Democrats allows the use of taxpayer dollars to fund abortion on demand through government-run insurance plans.



Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of the Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List), is being threatened with possible jail time for informing voters that Driehaus voted in favor of taxpayer-funded abortion with his vote for Obamacare.



“Ironically, ours is the position that so-called ‘pro-life’ Democrats themselves held before they changed their minds. It is also the position held by the National Right to Life Committee, Americans United for Life, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Ohio Right to Life and numerous other organizations and policy experts,” Dannenfelser said.



SBA List sought to purchase four billboards across Driehaus’ Congressional district informing voters that his vote in favor of Obamacare was a vote for taxpayer funding of abortion. Driehaus filed a complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission on Tuesday, October 6th alleging the SBA List was making false accusations, citing a criminal statute in the complaint. SBA List said Driehaus’ attorney convinced Lamar Companies to not to put up the billboards in order to avoid being added to the elections commission complaint.



“Through this criminal statute, he’s even threatening me with jail time,” Dannenfelser said. “But we will not be silenced or intimidated. In fact, we’re emboldened to make certain that his constituents know the truth about his vote.”



Dannenfelser -- not one to be intimidated into silence -- upped the ante this week with a $50,000 radio ad campaign airing across Driehaus’ district. The ad highlights Driehaus’ vote for the health care bill which allows for taxpayer funding of abortion.



“Rep. Steve Driehaus’ heavy-handed attempt to silence critics of his vote for taxpayer funding of abortion will not work,” Dannenfelser said. “Our radio ads are spreading the truth about his pro-abortion health care vote to the people of his district, despite his efforts to stifle our constitutionally-protected free speech.”



The 60-second radio spot will air on stations in the Cincinnati and Hamilton areas for two weeks. The ad’s script reads:



I'm Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of the Susan B. Anthony List, a pro-life organization.



Congressman Steve Driehaus is threatening my organization with a criminal statute in a desperate attempt to silence us.



Steve Driehaus doesn’t want you to know the truth…



…but you deserve to hear it.



Steve Driehaus voted for taxpayer funding of abortion when he cast his vote for the health care reform bill.



Every major pro-life group in the country agrees that the health care reform bill allows for taxpayer funding of abortion , including National Right to Life, Americans United for Life, Ohio Right to Life, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.



We will not be silenced or intimidated.



Driehaus voted for taxpayer funding of abortion.



And that vote has consequences.



Paid for by the Susan B. Anthony List, which is responsible for the content of this advertisement. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. sba-list.org.



A full hearing before the Ohio Elections Commission has been set for October 28th. A federal judge is considering a temporary restraining order against Driehaus and the Ohio Elections Commission and is expected to make a ruling as early as today.







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Connie Hair writes daily as HUMAN EVENTS' Congressional correspondent. She is a former speechwriter for Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) and a former media and coalitions advisor to the Senate Republican Conference. You can follow Connie on Twitter @ConnieHair.