Perhaps Sergey Brin should tell New York Congressman Joe DioGuardi about Google, that wacky thing he and Larry Page invented that allows anyone, anywhere to find out anything. Because if Mr. DioGuardi were aware this truthi-ness tool existed, perhaps he wouldn't be lying about his position on choice.
This year New York voters are being asked to choose between incumbent Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D, who has been a champion of women's reproductive freedom, and Congressman Joe DioGuardi, R, who opposes abortion even in cases of rape and incest. As NARAL NY said in a press release last week:
DioGuardi opposes abortion even in cases of rape and incest. Not only is this view well outside the values of New Yorkers -- 75% of whom are pro-choice -- it is far beyond the national mainstream.
In response, DioGuardi's campaign released a statement claiming he has "consistently made exceptions in cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother." Really?
Memory loss? Congressman DioGuardi should take his ginkgo biloba and then Google the Dornan Amendment. He may then remember when he voted in the House to strike language providing federal funds for abortions where the mother's life was in danger and for victims of rape and incest.
And more recently, when Right To Life released their 2010 endorsements, they specified whether or not a candidate opposed abortion with exceptions and specified what those exceptions were. Joe DioGuardi was not listed as having any exceptions to his anti-choice views. Go to their website, not hard to find with a few clicks.
DioGuardi has said that he'd like to see Roe v. Wade overturned. Do you want him voting on the next Supreme Court nominee?
This candidate does not reflect the values of New Yorkers, whether they live in New York City, Buffalo or in the beautiful Finger Lakes. We are overwhelmingly in favor of a woman's right to protect her health, future ability to bear children and yes, the choice she might make to terminate a pregnancy.
New York forged the way in the fight for choice. We are not about to cede our values to a right-wing extremist who wants to go back to a time when thousands of women died from botched abortions. Not on our watch.
People can disagree with a candidate on a number of issues and still pull the lever for them. But lie to them and they've lost the one thing people are looking for in this election year - integrity.