Ayotte Called ‘Pro Life Hero’

In the past 2 days, two of New Hampshire’s Republican Senate candidates received front page billing on the blog Red State.  First it was Ovide Lamontagne, second it was former New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte’s turn for the case to be made for her to be the next US Senator from New Hampshire.

The author largely focuses on Ayotte’s work during her tenure as Attorney General with defending the State’s parental notification law as the rationale for her gaining his support.  Here is his rationale and background on the circumstances of the case and her actions:

Governor Benson’s Attorney General, Peter Heed, defended the law. However, Planned Parenthood won at both the district court and appellate court levels. At some point, Heed left the office and Benson appointed Kelly Ayotte to replace him. It was her decision to appeal the case to the Supreme Court.

Prior to her decision, a Democrat, John Lynch, was elected Governor. In New Hampshire, the Governor appoints the Attorney General. Ayotte was a hold over from a Republican administration and her re-appointment was due. Lynch was a conservative Democrat and the Attorney General postion is not political. Ayotte was competent and popular and it was assumed that Lynch may re-appoint her despite party differences.

But Lynch opposed the New Hampshire Parental Notification Prior to Abortion Act. He made it clear that he wanted Ayotte to cease her appeal to the Supreme Court. By working against the wishes of Lynch, Ayotte faced the possibility of losing her appointment. Ayotte appealed the case anyway. Governor Lynch went forth and filed his own Amicus Curiae brief opposing his own Attorney General, Kelly Ayotte.

Ayotte believed it was her duty, as Attorney General, to defend the law. Those who know her well also know that she is also committed to protecting life. She risked her re-appointment and put her principles ahead of her career.

Ayotte went to the Supreme Court. And she won. Although the Supreme Court had quibbles with the New Hampshire law, the Court ultimately upheld a state’s right to enact parental notification laws.

The post also included praise from members of the Pro Life community for her work for the movement and standing up to the powers that be.  In response to the post that Erickson penned yesterday, the author laid out an argument as to why its right to support Ayotte in the race for US Senate.

As primary season descends, the ‘Race To The Right’ commences. Many candidates will talk, but it is just talk. Some will speak with great gusto and passion, but it is still just talk.

Everyone has all of sudden become the next Doug Hoffman. But where were they in the past? Are they being opportunistic? Are they competent? Can they win?

Kelly Ayotte will not fare too well with the bullhorn and pom pom crowd. She is not loud or bombastic. She is judicious and soft spoken. But her actions speak for itself. Behind that calm demeanor lies a fierce and principled prosecutor. And that fierce and principled prosecutor will soon become a fierce and principled Senator.

Yes, I want a conservative Senator. But I also want a good Senator. I want someone with integrity. And I want someone who can win. Kelly Ayotte is all four.

Even though Kathy Sullivan says otherwise, the Senate primary, if conducted in a positive fashion, will allow the best candidate for New Hampshire to come forward, the issues to come into focus, and the case be made as to why they should be the next US Senator from New Hampshire.  The entire post is well worth the read.