Campaigning for Henry Cuellar, a Democratic U.S. House leader says party shouldn't shun abortion

[TexasTowelie]

Campaigning for Henry Cuellar, a Democratic U.S. House leader says party shouldn’t shun abortion opponents

by Patrick Svitek, Texas Tribune


SAN ANTONIO — The No. 3 Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives charged into a raging national firestorm over abortion rights Wednesday as he visited Texas to campaign with U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a rare Democrat who opposes the practice, in his hotly contested primary runoff.

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn’s trip was announced over a week ago, but it fell two days after Politico published a leaked draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court that favors overturning Roe v. Wade. The timing of the news cast an uncomfortable spotlight on Cuellar — and the senior Democrats who support him — as he was the only House Democrat last year to vote against a proposal to codify Roe v. Wade.

As Clyburn traveled to Texas on Wednesday morning, Cuellar’s progressive challenger, Jessica Cisneros, issued a statement calling on Democratic House leadership to rescind its support for Cuellar in light of the Roe v. Wade bombshell. But Clyburn was unswayed as he attended a series of events across the city with the Laredo congressman, stressing that he does not always agree with Cuellar but believes divergent views are healthy for democracy. In doing so, Clyburn sent a message that the Democratic Party should not shun abortion opponents.

“We have a big-tent party, and if we’re gonna be a big-tent party, we got to be a big-tent party,” Clyburn told reporters after an evening rally at an outdoor barbecue joint. “I don’t believe we ought to have a litmus test in the Democratic Party. I think we have to bring as many people into the party as we possibly can.”

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2022/05/04/jim-clyburn-henry-cuellar-democrats-abortion-election/

[qazplm135]

1. and at some point

the tent is so wide that it becomes no longer a party anymore.

You need at least SOME core tenets.

A woman's right to choose is right up at the top of that list.

[Phoenix61]

2. So he's cool if racists are in the tent? nt

[Lovie777]

3. As frustrating this is . ......

The Democratic Party is considered a "big-Tent" party, diverse like the United States of America.

But sometimes I truly want to break away from that and want the party to be of one mind. But then I look at the fucked up party called RNC and I don't want to be in a party that are single minded lying sack of shit, who doesn't care for the USA and her citizens.

[CrispyQ]

5. You're right that we don't march lockstep, but poster #1 has a point!

At some point the tent is so wide that it becomes no longer a party anymore.

You need at least SOME core tenets.

A woman's right to choose is right up at the top of that list.

[CrispyQ]

4. Last I read Pelosi still supports him. -nt

[TexasTowelie]

6. Cuellar has the track record of being there for Speaker Pelosi whenever she has called upon him.

Pelosi may have her doubts about Cisneros and whether she will want to demonstrate her independence from the remainder of the Democratic caucus.

[CrispyQ]

7. Yes, the article I read said she supports her incumbents, "from right to left." -nt

[PoliticAverse]

8. Cuellar voted against the Women's Health Protection Act, the only Democrat to do so.

That seems to be showing some "independence from the remainder of the Democratic caucus".

[TexasTowelie]

9. I'll let the voters in that district make the decision as to whom they will support.

Over the years they have supported Cuellar and even in the primary for this year Cuellar almost won a majority despite the allegations related to the FBI raid and a realigned district that included more voters for Cisneros.

There have been members on both sides of the Democratic Party that have voted against legislation supported overall by Democrats. House leadership has permitted their membership to vote their conscience whether they be progressives or moderates.

[3Hotdogs]

10. Well, I donated to Cisneros.

I live in N.J.