November 18, 2009 Contact: Michael Barley
For Immediate Release (717) 234-4901
PAGOP: Democratic Congressional Candidate Lois Herr Attacks PA Democratic Congressmen
Herr calls Dahlkemper “Stupid;” Will Appear With Supporters Who Vowed to Defeat Seven PA Democrats
HARRISBURG – Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason was surprised to read comments that Democrat Lois Herr directed towards fellow Democrat and Pennsylvania Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper. Herr referred to Dahlkemper as “stupid” this week and will appear Saturday at an endorsement event with an organization that is vowing to defeat seven Pennsylvania Democratic Congressmen.
"Lois Herr is carrying the banner for the extreme liberal left wing of the Democratic Party," Gleason said. "It is shocking that Herr is taking on fellow Democrats for not being liberal enough. This proves that her positions are way out of touch with the hard working people of the 16th Congressional District."
Herr, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to oppose Congressman Joe Pitts for a third time, levied her criticisms after Kathy Dahlkemper joined Pitts, four other Democrats and one Republican in sponsoring an amendment to preserve a ban on federal funding for abortion. The rule will apply to new programs created in health reform legislation. The amendment passed by a vote of 240 to 194, with no Republican opposition and one-fourth of the Democratic Caucus supporting. (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll884.xml)
In a Daily Kos posting the next day, Herr wrote: “Everybody's angry. And everybody wants to punish someone - anyone! - for this travesty.” She also posts a photo montage of the amendment sponsors with the caption “The Stupid Pac.” (http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/11/8/802205/-You-couldnt-stop-Stupak.-But-you-can-stop-Pitts)
The Lancaster Intelligencer-Journal/New Era reports this morning that two pro-choice groups will appear with Herr on Saturday to endorse her, pledging to unseat “any” member of congress who supported the amendment. Two-thirds of the Pennsylvania congressional delegation fit that definition, including every Republican and seven Democrats: Congressmen John Murtha, Paul Kanjorski, Tim Holden, Mike Doyle, Chris Carney, Jason Altmire, and Kathy Dahlkemper. (Murse, Tom, “Abortion-rights groups plan anti-Pitts rally,” The Lancaster Intelligencer-Journal/New Era <http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/245162> , 11/18/09)
Herr is seeking to run in a district dominated by Lancaster County, generally regarded as the most pro-life county in the state. An ABC News/Washington Post poll <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/polls/postpoll_111609.html> released Tuesday showed 61 percent of Americans believe insurance policies bought using government assistance should not be allowed to include coverage for abortions.
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