Is NARAL Mending Fences With Jim Moran And Forgiving Him For His Past Anti-Choice Votes?

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 /U.S. Newswire/ -- NARAL Pro-Choice America President Kate Michelman was joined Wednesday evening by public officials including Representatives James Moran and Jerry Nadler and DC City Councilman Jim Graham in a celebration of the opening of NARAL Pro-Choice America's Pro-Choice Action Center."

Why is NARAL highlighting its relationship with Moran now after shunning him in the past? I cannot say. In 2003 Moran reversed his decade-long support for legislation outlawing partial-birth abortions. Perhaps there was some kind of quid pro quo with the NARAL leadership.

On June 5, 2003 I posed the following question online to Allison Herwitt, director of government relations for NARAL: Pro-Choice America. Ms. Herwitt's response, unfortunately, suggests a decision to forgive Moran:

Alexandria, Va.: I notice Rep. James Moran, my congressman, changed his vote from yes to no on the partial birth measure. (Good for him, I say.) But do you know why he switched?

Allison Herwitt: Hi, Alexandria. We were also delighted to see Rep. Moran's vote against this deceptive legislation. He made a very impassioned floor statement explaining his reasons; you can access it on the Thomas Web site, or perhaps from his office. Please make sure to pass along your thanks for his vote; he deserves credit for seeing through the deception behind this bill.

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