Group aims to lure new Democrats

Idaho Democrats now have a organization that will oppose abortion, capital punishment and euthanasia.

Kootenai County Clerk Dan English, the county’s only elected Democrat, recently launched Democrats for Life of Idaho. The statewide chapter is part of the Democrats for Life of America organization.

“It’s for people within the Democratic Party who are interested in those issues,” said English. “My point isn’t to convert people to pro-life but rather provide a legitimate forum to talk about and support these issues.”

English said abortion is often an issue that alienates people from the Democratic Party and this group might make abortion opponents feel more comfortable as Democrats. The state chapter is looking for board members and donors.

Representatives for the state Democratic Party and Kootenai County Republicans said the pro-life group alone will not likely cause people to become Democrats.

“I don’t think it will hurt the Republicans because there are just too many other issues that separate the parties,” said Ron Vieselmeyer of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee.

Vieselmeyer said he supports any group that espouses what he considers to be pro-life values, but he hopes this isn’t a “political ploy” to get Democrats more votes.

State Democratic Party Executive Director Maria Wegg said there are already a lot of Idaho Democrats who oppos abortion. She isn’t so sure this new caucus will attract new Democrats.

“Folks have said to me, ‘If it weren’t for one or two issues I would consider myself a Democrat,’ ” Wegg said.

All but about nine states have chapters of Democrats for Life of America, which aims at taking steps to reduce abortion. It supports the 95-10 Initiative, which has a goal of reducing abortion by 95 percent in the next 10 years. English said that means providing more support to adoption services, counseling and contraception.

For more information on the state chapter, go to www.idahodemocratsforlife.com or call English at 665-0610.