Pro-Abortion Group Gets New Leader

By Jeff Gannon
Talon News
November 22, 2004

The National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) has selected former Montana state legislator and State Superintendent of Education Nancy Keenan as its new president. She takes over for Elizabeth Cavendish, who had been Interim President since Kate Michelman stepped down in May 2004.

Michelman resigned to devote her full attention to the presidential election.

At the time, Michelman told National Public Radio, "It's the most important presidential election of my lifetime and I want to bring to bear everything I've ever done in my life to helping John Kerry become the next president."

Her future plans were not announced.

The new NARAL president worked her way through college as one of the first female laborers in a copper smelter. Keenan taught special education for elementary school children with severe disabilities before being elected to the legislature and then the top education post. She ran unsuccessfully for Congress as a Democrat, in a state which went for George W. Bush 58% to 33%.

Most recently, Keenan has been the Director of Education Policy for the liberal group, People For the American Way (PFAW). Its president, Ralph G. Neas, lamented her departure but was pleased that she would continue to advocate on behalf of abortion.

Neas said, "We will miss her skill and savvy, but we know we will still be fighting side by side in the looming battles over the Supreme Court, on Capitol Hill, and in legislative chambers across America."

Gregg Trude, executive director for Montana Right to Life, told the Associated Press that the choice of Keenan is no surprise. Her views mesh perfectly with the "extreme agenda of pro-abortionists," he said.

I don't think the branches of government are being filled with people who are, in particular, pro-life," Trude told the AP. "Generally, American people are becoming pro-life. The pro-abortionists see themselves as losing ground."

According to the AP, Trude believes the trend is driven by a growing realization that life begins long before a fetus becomes viable.

U.S. House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) also welcomed Keenan's selection saying, "I look forward to working with her and NARAL on a comprehensive approach to reproductive health care, including planning for healthy families, preventing unwanted pregnancies, and protecting a woman's right to choose."

In a press release, the new NARAL leader said, "The stakes have never been higher. Every branch of the federal government is dominated by powerful opponents of choice. President Bush is poised to make nominations to the Supreme Court that could overturn Roe v. Wade. Years of progress on women's health, reproductive freedom, and personal privacy are in peril."

In addition to abortion related legislation, the unmarried, 51 year old Keenan will continue NARAL's opposition to the constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage.