On Bad Cancer and Defending the Unborn

If I had a strawberry for every time Jim Bunning made an ass of himself, I could make a ton smoothies for you and yours. On Sunday, Bunning, always a veritable fountain of tact, prophesied Ruth Bader Gingsburg's death within nine months. This, evidently, was a great segue for discussing his support for more conservative justices on the bench: "And that's going to be in place very shortly because Ruth Bader Ginsburg … has cancer. Bad cancer. The kind that you don't get better from."

Thank you for your diagnosis, Dr. Bunning. Bad Cancer can certainly be a bitch. He has since apologized for his remarks, but no apology can salvage an approval rating in the low 40s. As such, the Kentucky GOP has their sights set on Bunning's replacement.

That brings us to Kentucky Secretary of State and all around gnarly dude Trey Grayson. Earlier today, Grayson addressed rumors circulating concerning his hat being thrown in the ring:

“Recent news reports change nothing about the US Senate race as I am concerned. Senator Bunning is a friend and mentor. As I have mentoned before, if he were to decide not to run, I would be keenly interested in the race. Senator Bunning has said that he is running, and I take him at his word. I am not planning a primary.”

So this just leaves one question: Jim... has friends? Like, for real? ¡Ay, caramba!

Nah, I'm just kidding, Jim. I'm sure everyone think's you're a swell guy.

I have to say that I can't really comment too much on this, as there's no "lesser of two evils" scenario. With Bunning or Grayson, each is an equally bad scene. The difference is that Bunning at least parades his numbskullery. He's honest and blunt about his ineptitude, so he should at least get an A for effort, ya know? Grayson, on the other hand, is a real snake in the grass. Grayson, for whatever reason, has been successful at cultivating an image as a moderate lawmaker who doesn't stridently follow his colleague's footsteps. Grayson, as a matter of fact, is all kinds of scary authoritarian right wing. Exhibit A, in a speech at Georgetown College in 2004:

“Not only is Kerry a flip-flop, but he’s a failure where Kentucky values are concerned.” The secretary went on to describe how Kerry’s votes and statements have been in favor of gun control, abortion and gay marriage -- three ideological stands that run contrary to the beliefs of most Kentuckians.

“Kerry has authored little successful legislation in his career, and he has failed to articulate his vision for Iraq, for the War on Terror and for America,” said Grayson, echoing the sentiment of most conservative ideologues across the United States."

Of course, lots of lawmakers and voters alike have changed their positions on myriad issues since 2004, when the "culture of fear" permeated every newscast and piece of legislation. So what about Trey "Valiant and Courageous Defender of the Unborn" Grayson - change of heart as well, yes?

"During the speech, titled “Trey Grayson Defends the Unborn,” Grayson talked about how he believes abortion is detrimental to women and the community.

“It cheapens respect for a life in general,” Grayson said.

In front of about 15 people, Grayson said President Bush’s administration has been a strong advocate for pro-life policies for the two terms Bush has served.

“Many of us in the pro-life community have enjoyed the past eight years,” Grayson said.

It will be important to vote this election season for a candidate who opposes abortion, Grayson said.

Grayson said he supports Republican candidate John McCain and said Democratic challenger Barack Obama is “the most anti-life candidate in the history of America” because Obama has supported pro-choice policies."

- Kentucky Kernel, 10.26.08 (story)

Trey Grayson Defends the Unborn. I'll give him this, the guy has some serious balls, gaul, etc. to title his speech "Trey Grayson Defends the Unborn." Sounds like the title to his comic book, but I'm not going to entertain what the cover of that graphic novel might look like. Sometimes... jokes write themselves, and I'll leave it at that. Unlike Bunning, my mama taught me some tact.

But hey, politics aside - at least the Defender didn't flip-flop, am I right?

Anyway, a couple of points here. First, supporting in strict line with the Bush administration's social agendas does not (at least on the planet most of us live on) constitute moderate beliefs. Second... dude, seriously. This is not a ying and yang issue. Being pro-choice does not equal to "abortions? hell yeah!" Pro-choice is not anti-life. Pro-choice is a statement on when and where the state can or cannot dictate personal health choices and personal moral beliefs. The notion of when life begins is a philosophical issue that each of us considers, not a scientific or a legal question. If you believe life begins at at conception, fine. If you believe life begins in the third trimester as the courts do, fine. But please stop switching the words "pro-choice" for "anti-life." It just makes you look like an irrational asshole. If I had to define "anti-life," I think McCain's strategy of staying in an farcical war for "100 years if we have to" is about as anti-life as you can get.

So if Grayson ends up in a Senate primary, you should at least know where his loyalties lie - and they lie firmly in the anti-civil liberties house that McConell and Bunning built. Of course, David Williams is the other contestant... but I'll leave my thoughts on him for another day. I have my own defending to do before the end of the business day.