Kathleen Sebelius for HHS!

I'm a bit tardy in commenting in President Obama's choice of Kathleen Sebelius as Health and Human Services Secretary. Having lived in Kansas I have a good sense of the politics. That she as a Democrat has not only survived politically, but thrived tells you something about her. She can get things done in a bi-partisan manner.

A letter has been written/signed by a number of evangelical leaders -- who are pro-life -- supporting her nomination, knowing that she has a record of efforts that reduce the number of abortions, not by outlawing them but dealing with the reasons for them.

Health Care is a key issue standing before us. We need strong and bold leadership. My hope and belief is that Governor Sebelius is just the person. I was a strong supporter of her VP candidacy and continue to be a fan.

Now, let's get on to solving the rising health care costs that damage our nation's economy and health, and leads ultimately to abortions -- for there is for many women with unintended pregnancies few viable options.

The letter reads:

As Christians dedicated to finding common ground solutions to reduce the number of abortions in America, we welcome President Obama's nomination of Governor Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Under Governor Sebelius' leadership, abortions have decreased in Kansas by 10 percent, adoption funding and incentives have increased, healthcare access for women and families has expanded, prenatal care has become more widely available, and legislation protecting the unborn from crime has become law. Such a record demonstrates a commitment to results rather than rhetoric on life issues.

She is a Democratic Governor who has been elected by wide margins in a state where registered Republicans outnumber Democrats two to one. Her nomination has already won not only the support of Democrats, but also praise from Republican pro-life Senators such as Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts and Governors such as Sonny Perdue of Georgia. Her record and her relationships with leaders in both parties are proof that pro-choice and pro-life leaders can work together to advance a pro-family agenda.

The governor, who is by all accounts a person of deep faith, deserves a fair hearing in Congress and in the public square. Efforts to discredit her will no doubt arise, but we hope that such tactics will not succeed in taking focus off of her record of reducing abortions and supporting women and families in Kansas - and the task that lies ahead of us all: working together to improve health care and reduce the number of abortions in America.

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