The Frist-fry begins

Clergy Denounce Frist on Stem Cell Research. Did Senator Frist really believe he could do it? Did he think Christians would put political expedience before allegiance to Christ? Does he, a republican hopeful in 2008, truly take Christian voters for granted?

If he did, he's made a serious political miscalculation:

The Reverend Rob Schenck (pronounced SHANK), National Clergy Council President, issued this statement on behalf of the Council's executive committee representing church leaders of Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox and Protestant traditions:

"In saying that he believes life begins at conception but that he supports embryonic stem cell research, Senator Frist's position not only contradicts itself, it flies in the face of biblical and historical Christian moral teaching. It's the same as saying that we should use condemned criminals for medical experimentation because they're going to die anyway. It is morally incoherent. Senator Frist can no longer count on our support nor the support of the wider Evangelical or Catholic communities."

Senator Frist may not stop the bleeding of support that he once enjoyed. His own ambitions may bleed away with it. He may still, however, have an opportunity to prevent the Pro-Life heart of the party from staying home in 2006. He should immediately rescind his support for ESCR. He should foreswear any effort to secure the presidential nomination in 2008. He may also want to consider whether or not pro-Choice Senators such as Arlene Spector of Pennsylvania have any future on committees in the Republican-controlled Senate. He should certainly move fast on any Pro-Life initiatives on the senate floor, such as judicial nominees. Finally, if he were a man of principle, he would resign as the Senate Majority Leader. This would clear the way for Republican's to start anew in supporting the Administration's agenda, especially the Pro-Life agenda. If he can't stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the President on an issue as important as the rights of the Unborn, then he's unfit to lead the Republican Senators. For a majority leader should acknowledge the President's leadership as Chief Executive and Party leader. He should not bow to polls drummed up by slanted coverage and misinformation.

That Frist has done so demonstrates just how insidious President Clinton's poll-conscious politicing has become. Principles appear to count for less and less. This erosion can only bode ill for the Nation.

Pro-Life Blogs has more coverage of Frist's flip-flop. Check it out!