On Background:

Advocates Readying Big Push For Ultimate Abortion Legislation In Georgia

By Dick Pettys
InsiderAdvantage Georgia

(10/15/07) Coalitions are funny things. Sometimes you see them joined at the hip and sometimes you see them ripped apart. And at various times coalitions have been as much a blessing as a curse to both parties in Georgia.

When they were in power, Democrats notably had trouble keeping their bi-racial coalition together over redistricting. A special session in the mid-1990s became a classic case study when the coalitions changed at such a dizzying rate it was difficult to keep track.

First, black Democrats bolted the coalition and teamed with white Republicans to defeat one proposed congressional plan in the Senate. Later the same day, white Democrats teamed with white Republicans against black Democrats to pass a second plan.

Famously, Rep. Tyrone Brooks, D-Atlanta, was quoted as saying: “We have no permanent friends and no permanent enemies. We only have permanent interests.”

But Republicans have their problems, too. At first, they wanted no part of the religious right; even fought to keep that group out in a 1988 battle that went all the way to the national convention. Then, they saw they’d do much better trying to adjust to and absorb the newcomers. And pretty much that’s what they’ve done.

But just as Democrats couldn’t always count on blacks to stay on the same page with them, Republicans on occasion have problems with their new allies, especially when it comes to one of their core issues - abortion.

At a national level, we’re seeing some of those problems out in the open now. At a recent meeting in Salt Lake City for several score Christian conservative leaders, a decision was reached to bolt the GOP in the presidential election next year if pro-choice Rudy Giuliani tops the ticket.

Closer to home, we could see some fireworks as well come January as a result of HR 536, also known as the Human Life Amendment.

It’s a proposed constitutional amendment that would say this:

(a) The rights of every person shall be recognized, among which in the first place is the inviolable right of every innocent human being to life. The right to life is the paramount and most fundamental right of a person.

(b) With respect to the fundamental and inalienable rights of all persons guaranteed in this Constitution, the word 'person' applies to all human beings, irrespective of age, race, sex, health, function, or condition of dependency, including unborn children at every state of their biological development, including fertilization."

It was introduced last March 20 by Rep. Martin Scott, a second term Republican from Rossville, who says he’s lined up 40 cosponsors. It was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.

Watch for a big push on this bill when the Legislature comes to town already facing enough big issues to keep it plenty busy. So far, the agenda includes House Speaker Glenn Richardson’s “GREAT” tax plan to eliminate property taxes in favor of a broadened sales tax; a renewal of the huge battle over workplace guns between the National Rifle Association and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and the statewide water plan.

Plus, it’s an election-year session, which always makes things a little more dicey.

Scott toured the state last summer on what he called his “Let Them Live” bus tour, drumming up support for the measure. The proposal has the backing of Georgia Right to Life. Also, we’re hearing that calls are now being made to some legislators. So there will be pressure building come January, and more as the month progresses.

Dan Becker, incoming president of Georgia Right to Life, is planning two major events at the statehouse that month. One is the traditional Right to Life rally on Jan. 22. The other, on Jan. 14, will be a training session for grassroots lobbyists on this issue.

"Our objective is to make this one of the most intensive lobbying sessions we've seen in recent history," he said.

Not everyone in the pro-life movement nationally thinks the timing is right for such a measure which, should it pass the Legislature and win voter approval, could well provide the means for a major showdown over abortion in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Some fear it is premature for such a test case, given the current makeup of the court, and that a new test of Roe v. Wade might result in a setback to the pro-life movement. Others, obviously, are willing to risk that on one big play.

But there are any number of reasons this legislation probably won’t reach a vote in the GOP-controlled Georgia House.

Here are a few:

* A number of key Republican incumbents live in districts that aren’t securely in GOP hands. If they vote “for” the amendment, they’re in trouble in the general election. If they vote “against” the amendment, they are likely to face primary opposition. It’s far better for them not to have to face that choice.

* When the session is over, Republican leaders want to be able to say either “We cut your taxes” or “We tried to cut your taxes.” They don’t particularly want to see abortion injected into the campaigns should the measure happen to pass.

* There is little likelihood it can pass. It needs 120 votes. Republicans have only 107. Bringing the bill to the floor could only produce inflammatory headlines and scorecard votes - the same kind of votes Republicans used to spring on Democrats when they were in the minority. They remember that tactic all too well.

Some within the pro-life movement - including many who deal with politics on a day-to-day basis - already understand the realities of why HR 536 probably will remain in committee. Others likely won’t understand at all.

Becker, very likely, is one. "If you've got a Giuliani running, our base tends to sit at home. But if you've got an issue that can bring them out, it's a mystery to me why the would oppose it."

That famous quote from Tyrone Brooks comes back to mind: “We have no permanent friends and no permanent enemies. We only have permanent interests.”

The coming months should tell us a lot about the Republican Party and the religious right, both nationally and in Georgia.