Luksik hits Toomey on abortion

We've written a few times about Pat Toomey's attempts at moderation -- such as his support of Sonia Sotomayor for Supreme Court last spring -- as he targets votes in the political center in the Senate general election this fall.

Here's one of the drawbacks to that. His primary opponent, anti-abortion activist Peg Luksik, is questioning the sincerity of his pro-life credentials in a letter to the president of Life PAC of Southwestern Pa.

I am writing this letter to inform you of my deep disappointment in your voting guide for the primary election to be held on May 18, 2010.  After not receiving a survey from your organization, my staff inquired as to why we never received one.  You informed my campaign that you “didn't want to insult” me by making me fill out a questionnaire and informed us that I would be listed as pro-life.  At the time, I appreciated your recognition of my lifelong commitment to the sanctity of life.

However, I have now seen the published flier and was shocked to see that my opponent, former Congressman Pat Toomey, was also listed as pro-life.  Was Mr. Toomey sent a survey to complete and, if so, were his responses somehow more satisfactory than the many public statements that he has made betraying the cause to which you profess to be committed?  Consider the following:

• Mr. Toomey publicly stated in numerous publications that he would have supported the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.  He has also stated that he believes that President Obama should continue to receive deference in his Supreme Court nominees.  No issue is more important to the pro-life community than the Supreme Court, and President Obama's pro-choice nominees have the potential to do generations worth of damage to our cause.
• Mr. Toomey has in the past supported numerous pro-choice candidates for federal office.  In fact, Mr. Toomey had this to say to the Reason Foundation about one of those candidates: "In the 2004 cycle, we endorsed [Arizona Republican] Jim Kolbe," Pat Toomey adds. "He's openly gay, he's pro-choice, but he has a great record supporting Social Security reform and free trade.”
• Mr. Toomey allows for numerous exceptions to his “pro-life” position, exceptions to which I have never subscribed.
• Mr. Toomey's voting record while in Congress was less than friendly, as well.  While in Congress, he voted for RU-486, for weakening the ban on federal funding for overseas abortions, against prohibiting funding for family planning and abortion activities, and against funding for abstinence only education programs.  Documentation for each of these votes, as well as additional votes that should be of concern to Life PAC, is readily available.

My history on the issue of the sanctity of life is unquestionable, while my opponent's history should certainly be cause for concern.  You are preparing to distribute tens of thousands of voter guides to your membership that give the illusion that there are two pro-life Republicans running for United States Senate.  In fact, there is only one, and it is me.

In my opinion, this is not only a betrayal of the cause that Life PAC professes to advocate, but a betrayal of the members in receipt of this inaccurate guide, members that count on the leadership of Life PAC to provide them with accurate information.

I have been in the trenches with you for decades, and I have never wavered in my advocacy for the unborn.  I am deeply disappointed in this decision by Life PAC.  I will be distributing this letter to pro-life voters in your distribution area and respectfully requesting that they not distribute your guide this year.  I do this with deep regret, as I have always considered you an ally and a friend.  However, I cannot allow this guide to be distributed without an accurate response.

Sincerely,

Peg Luksik

Candidate