Local Republicans Rescind Invite to Marshall

Local Republicans Rescind Invite to Marshall

By Desiree Parker Tuesday, February 23, 2010

After the furor surrounding a recent comment by state Delegate Bob Marshall, the James City County Republican Committee has decided to cancel his scheduled appearance at their meeting this Wednesday.

The Republican from Manassas made a comment during a press conference to oppose state funding for Planned Parenthood that caused enough uproar Marshall posted a statement on his Web site saying he regretted his “poorly chosen words.” Read the previous story here.

At the press conference last Thursday hosted by the Virginia Christian Action group, Marshall talked about cutting state funding for Planned Parenthood because the group’s services include abortion. He said: “The number of children who are born subsequent to a first abortion with handicaps has increased dramatically. Why? Because when you abort the first born of any, nature takes its vengeance on the subsequent children.

“In the Old Testament, the first born of every being, animal and man, was dedicated to the Lord. There’s a special punishment Christians would suggest.” (Listen to Marshall's statement by clicking here.)

Following the furor around the Capital News Service story on the press conference, Marshall posted a comment on his Web site, stating the CNS story “conveyed the impression that I believe disabled children are a punishment for prior abortion.”

He went on to say, “No one who knows me or my record would imagine that I believe or intended to communicate such an offensive notion. I have devoted a generation of work to defending disabled and unwanted children, and have always maintained that they are special blessings to their parents.

“Nevertheless, I regret any misimpression my poorly chosen words may have created as to my deep commitment to fighting for these vulnerable children and their families.”

James City County Republican Committee Chairman Rick Batten said he had scheduled Marshall as a speaker for this Wednesday’s meeting well before his controversial comments because Marshall has “championed the cause of protecting the 10th Amendment to the Constitution as well as protecting citizens from an overbearing federal government” for a long time. This is a big concern for many of his committee members, said Batten, which is why he thought Marshall would be a good choice.

“In light of the current circumstances, my objective to have relevant discussion on the above issues would be difficult to achieve and therefore I thought it best to rescind his invitation,” Batten explained.

He’s not sure yet whether Marshall’s visit will be rescheduled.

Local Republicans will still be meeting Wednesday at 7 p.m. in building C of the James City County government complex.

Comments

+1 #10 Guest 2010-02-26 16:17

Um, Elm, you're talking about the 2nd Amendment. The 10th Amendment is the one that was meant to preserve the right of states to enact their own legislation. Like making all abortions illegal without exception, underfunding health and education, and leaving roads in a mess. Y'know, like defenders of the 10th Amendment do.

And Marshall's remarks were specific, directed at a known target, and calculated to reinforce the failed family planning policies of the Religious Reich. I find it incredible that anyone would let him off the hook for this, and that Pogge would pretend to have not heard him.

This is the government we have to look forward to without radical reapportionment away from districts designed to protect incumbents or one particular party. Thanks to Creigh Deeds for sinking the Democrats last fall.

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+6 #9 Guest 2010-02-25 07:53

Marshall is now blaming the VCU folks for reporting his telling, unfortunate, and very off base abortion comments. How typical of those on the Far Right! Make a mistake (or ten) and then blame others in order to distract from yourself. GWB, Cheney, and Rumsfeld certainly elevated this strategy to a new level.

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+5 #8 Guest 2010-02-24 17:06

Batten said he invited Marshall because he supported his agenda... Seems Pogge and the others of Marshall's ilk, including Batten, have long been supporters of the "Complete Marshall Plan."
How dare all of them to think and act intentionally to demean and destroy the integrity of women and just walk away from their crimes.

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+2 #7 Guest 2010-02-24 15:17

The JCCRC would probably similarly rescind an invitation to Scott Brown after his jobs' bill vote in Washington earlier this week. Too bad that the party of Lincoln has become so unilateral (and intolerant & narrow-minded!) these days.

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+1 #6 Guest 2010-02-24 12:40

Is this our Republican representatives finally recognizing they HAVE a back bone? Marshall's poorly chosen words do SOUND thought out. So stand tall for your decision to cancel him.

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+10 #5 Guest 2010-02-24 09:24

Shame on the JCC Republicans for inviting Marshall in the first place. He has a long history of troubling comments towards all types of people, stemming from his extremist religious views. And when will the JCCRC disavow Delegate Pogge for her alignment with Marshall? She was present when he made his remarks, and she said NOTHING. Why didn't she speak right up there and then? She claims she didn't hear his cruel words. Are we to accept this - our delegate chooses to go to these events and then doesn't pay attention to what's going on? We can certainly do much better.

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+9 #4 Guest 2010-02-24 09:09

Well this is a good start...but unless I missed it our local delegate, Ms. Brenda Pogge, who was in attendance when the ignorant comments were made has yet to publicly condemn them. Her continued silence doesn't say much for her character.

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+4 #3 Guest 2010-02-24 08:26

Kudos to the JCCRC for their good judgment in canceling the appearance of Bob Marshall at their meeting. As basic health care becomes more expensive, family incomes shrink, and folks lose their insurance, Planned Parenthood remains the only choice many women can afford for basic gynecological care and health screenings. They perform a huge service to young women who need to prevent a pregnancy until they complete their education and secure stability that would allow them to raise a child properly. I applaud their efforts, even though I personally object to abortions in all but the most extreme circumstances. Without the efforts of Planned Parenthood to educate young women and offer them alternatives to prevent pregnancy in the first place, we would have a whole new set of problems as a community. Now that the JCCRC has made one good decision, I hope they will reconsider their blanket support for "10th Amendment Rights." Look at the dramatic increase in people "exercising their rights" to take those guns to schools (CO yesterday), Universities(la st week) and other people's homes (nearly every day in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Hampton, Newport News) to shoot up innocent people for their own deranged reasons. The social and political dynamic which led to the inclusion of the 10th Amendment in our Bill of Rights has essentially changed. This country has become a different place after the great wars and upheavals of the Twentieth Century, and the old ideas no longer apply in many cases. When you look at the weaponry the US Military now commands, a few hand guns and rifles will not make a whole lot of difference.

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+8 #2 Guest 2010-02-23 21:27

For all the negative things that I associate with the JCCRC, I commend them on this decision. Sometimes right and wrong is just too black and white to ignore.

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+2 #1 Guest 2010-02-23 20:59

Come on GOP, "stand by your man!" Maybe Pat Robertson or Glenn Beck can be your alternate? What an impressive party of NO!

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