Ellsworth has Hell's Worth of Nightmare Votes to Explain to Democratic Party

Bil Browning with The Bilerico Project has an excellent Huffington Post entry on 8th District Congressman Brad Ellsworth's less than stellar record on human rights.

But the GLBTG community probably isn't alone in experiencing that sinking feeling in their gut.

Ellsworth received 0 ratings from Planned Parenthood in 2008 and 0 from the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) in 2007. On his healthcare vote, Ellsworth issued the following statement:

"As I considered the proposal, I weighed it against my 6 key principles of reform: First, the bill must prevent federal tax dollars from funding abortions. Together with pro-life Reps. Bart Stupak (D-MI), Joseph Pitts (R-PA) and other pro-life members and organizations, I fought to ensure federal funds are not used to provide abortions. Our amendment has the support of the National Right to Life Committee, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and other pro-life organizations, and its passage ensures federal tax dollars will not be used to pay for abortions."

In 2007-2008, Ellsworth got "A" grades from English First and the Federation for American Immigration Reform. I doubt Indiana's newly-formed Latino Democratic Caucus can be too thrilled.

Brad Ellsworth seems tailor-made to placate ultra-conservative independents and soft Republicans in Southern Indiana. But he's got to get selected by his own party first.

Ellsworth has Hell's Worth of Nightmare Votes to Explain to Democratic Party

Bayh VP is a Lock?

Bilerico's main essayist, Bil Browning, puts together pieces like he's Grisham in a CSI episode, and he's written a doozy of a story on Senator Bayh getting the VP nod. Its language is versed in speculation ("stick out my neck"), but the considerations raised, when taken in conjunction, makes the VP nod sound like Bayh fait accompli, which is probably why the Huffington Report fronted the story.

(But read it at Bilerico, and get the man well-deserved traffic credit).

http://www.bilerico.com/

The jist? Obama is in Elkhart with Bayh on Tuesday but Bilerico was told to stay available for a Wednesday morning event that isn't on the schedule but that the Obama campaign wants covered. Also, the timing makes sense, as there is good press to be had before the Olympics.

I've said for weeks I thought Bayh had a lock on this if he could pass the VP vetting. That was mostly raw gut, talking to people, and reading tea leaves. Kudos to Bil for serving the story in a more palatable by running it through "the Browning element."

Indiana just got a LOT more interesting, folks.

Bayh VP is a Lock?