The race does not involve a Republican incumbent. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) generally refrains from supporting one Republican over another in an open contested primary, at least on the surface. But this race is different. In what appears to be an unprecedented move, NRCC chairman, Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), and Speaker Denny Hastert (R-IL) have announced plans to co-host a Washington fundraiser tentatively scheduled for February 9, for Zimmer, whose profile lines up more closely with the Democrat incumbent than with the Republican Party.

New Jersey conservatives are furious. They believe this is the first time the NRCC has ever endorsed a candidate in a primary without the full support of the state congressional delegation. In this case, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) has endorsed Mike Pappas.

We all know that Republicans win when they can show a clear difference between them and their opponents. Yet, Reps. Davis and Hastert are planning to put Republican donors’ money on Zimmer, who differs little from the Democrat incumbent. Why have they done this?

Political activists in New Jersey suspect the possible involvement of lots of money from pro-abortion Governor Christine Todd Whitman’s friends in the Republican Leadership Council. It is widely believed that the Whitman forces do not want to see Mike Pappas back in Congress. The Times of Trenton (11/30/99) in a story by Charles Stile, reports that former Governor Tom Kean, a supporter of abortion on demand, has also endorsed Zimmer. Kean has made no bones about his opposition to Mike Pappas, calling him “extreme” on some issues during the 1998 race when Pappas, the incumbent, was fending off a challenge from the Democrat Rush Holt.

Once again, remember to follow the money. You may make your views known by calling Speaker Denny Hastert at 202/225-0600 and Rep. Tom Davis at 202-225-1492.

Mike Pappas for Congress - Mike Pappas was one of the very early supporters of RNC for Life. He is a good friend. Those of you who want to make a contribution to a fine pro-life congressional candidate need look no farther than Mike Pappas. Make checks payable to: Mike Pappas for Congress - 3582 Rt. 22 West - Somerville, NJ 08876 - Phone: 908/534-8587 - Fax: 908/534-8389.

Presidential Debates 
A series of presidential debates will occur during the next several weeks. It is important that pro-life conservative voters listen carefully to the candidates and evaluate what they say according to some basic criteria. First, ask yourself if what you are watching is a real “debate” in which all participants are asked the same question and are given a set period of time in which to state their position, followed by rebuttal, and ending with a final response. Or, will each candidate be asked a different question so that observers have no way to compare one answer against another? Will the questions asked be designed to draw out substantive answers, or will they be “soft-ball” questions that allow the candidates to evade addressing the core of the issues? Listen and watch and let us know your reaction to the debates.

Bush Goes to Bat for Giuliani 
New York Mayor, Rudolph Giuliani, made a trip to Texas last week to raise money for his race against Hillary Clinton for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Daniel Moynihan. Mr. Giuliani is pro-abortion and opposes a ban on partial birth abortions. In Austin, Governor George Bush, who says he opposes partial birth abortions, praised the mayor and even volunteered to help him win a crucial endorsement from the New York State Conservative Party whose leader says Giuliani has to give up his opposition to a PBA ban in order to get their support, according to The New York Times, 11/29/99. Giuliani says, no dice. Bush, who opposed the Lambert resolution denying Party funds to Republican candidates who will not support a ban on partial birth abortions, said, according to The Times, “I think the Conservatives will support me in New York . . . and if they support me, I hope I can convince them to support the mayor as well.”

Who is Having Abortions? 
A column written by Peter Brimelow for the October 18, 1999 issue of Forbes Magazine entitled “Who Has Abortions?” reports the results of a survey of 10,000 women undertaken in 1995 by the Alan Guttmacher Institute which shows that every year 2% of U.S. women aged 15 - 44 have an abortion. Based on 1992 data, an estimated 43% of women now of childbearing age will have had at least one abortion by the time they are 45 years old.

According to the Brimelow column, the 1995 Guttmacher survey shows almost as many white women from households with annual incomes above $60,000 had about as many of that year’s 1.4 million abortions as white women from households with incomes below $15,000. Among those having abortions, 46% are white although whites make up 74% of the population. Blacks at 12% of the population, are responsible for 29% of the abortions. Hispanics, accounting for 11% of the population, are also disproportionate users of abortion, with 20% of the total.

Differences in religious background are even more striking. 54% of American women describe themselves as Protestants, but they had only 37% of the abortions. Since most blacks are Protestants, this suggests that the white Protestant abortion rate is quite low. Roman Catholics are more likely to abort than Protestants: They account for 31% of the population -- and of the abortions. The small group of women who sternly professed no religion, 6% of the population, were responsible for 24% of the abortion total.

Think about the church services you attend. How often do you hear the pro-life message from the pulpit? How many ministers and priests provide their congregations with the moral and ethical tools necessary to cope with the multitude of life-related issues confronting our society? What are we hearing from the churches on alternatives to abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, in-vitro fertilization, and human embryo experimentation ? Pro-life organizations of many denominations have materials available for the asking. The Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, Presbyterians Pro-Life, Lutherans for Life and the Pro-Life Secretariat of the U.S. Catholic Conference can offer clear guidance on life-related issues for pastors and the people in the pews. Please investigate what is available within your denomination and encourage your pastor to help believers avoid the great sin of abortion and to assist them in meeting the spiritual and emotional challenges faced by so many people today as they deal with infertility, ill and aging relatives or serious debilitating disease.