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As Rachel Maddow noted in her segment above, it looks like Indiana Gov. Mike Pence may be set to follow in Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's shoes and take over the title of Governor Ultrasound if he ends up supporting this bill that just passed his state's Senate.

Indiana Bill Would Force Women To Undergo Two Transvaginal Probes To Take A Pill (UPDATED):

A medication abortion pill, officially known as RU-486, is the earliest available abortion option for a woman. A patient could be as little as one week pregnant and take the pill to terminate. But despite the incredibly early stage at which the pill is administered, a new bill proposed in the Indiana State Senate would require women to undergo a transvaginal ultrasound before they are permitted to simply swallow the medication.

Indiana’s effort follows a sweeping national trend to mandate the medically unnecessary and invasive procedure as a way to create barriers to abortion access. And theirs goes a step further, by also forcing clinics that administer the pill to meet all of the same requirements as a surgical abortion clinic: [...]

UPDATE: Indiana’s bill is actually twice as invasive as most forced ultrasound bills, the Huffington Post reports. The version that advanced out of a Senate committee today would require women to undergo two transvaginal probes — before and after taking the abortion pill. There’s no medically necessary reason to require an ultrasound after an abortion procedure, since women can simply take a blood test to see whether their hormone levels have returned to normal to verify that they are no longer pregnant.

Time for your weekly podcast with our own Driftglass and Bluegal, otherwise known as The Professional Left, or soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Driftglass. Enjoy the podcast and have a great weekend everyone.

Link for the podcast: Harold Ford Jr. shows that Math is Hard!

You can listen to the archives and listen to the archives free with no downloads at http://professionalleft.blogspot.com/ and you can also make a donation there if you'd like to help keep these podcasts going.

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Tea party favorite Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) said Sunday that he was unlikely to support the new budget deal because it doesn't strip all funds for Planned Parenthood.

The last-minute deal between House Republicans and Democrats aimed to slash over $38 billion from government spending levels.

Pence argued on ABC's This Week Sunday that those cuts alone weren't enough.

"From what I know, it sounds like [House Speaker] John Boehner got a good deal -- probably not good enough for me to support it," he told ABC's Christiane Amanpour.

"Let me explain. I'm pro-life. I don't apologize for it. I also think it's morally wrong to take the tax dollars of millions of pro-life Americans and use it to fund abortion providers."

"You know the federal funds don't do that?" Amanpour pointed out.

"They tried to make this about women's health," Pence said of Democrats. "It wasn't about that. Planned Parenthood's clinics focus mainly on abortion."

Pence's statement is similar to a claim made by Sen. John Kyl (R-AZ) last week.

"If you want an abortion, you go to Planned Parenthood, and that's well over 90 percent of what Planned Parenthood does," Kyl said.

The truth is that in 2009, 96 percent of the organization's activities were dedicated cancer screenings, STD or STI testing, counseling and education, or pregnancy testing and prevention.

"What was clear here, this administration, and liberals in Congress were willing to shut the government down to continue to fund abortion providers in this country," Pence added.

The Indiana Republican made it clear in a recent speech on the House floor that it was Republicans who were willing to see the government shut down if Democrats didn't "respect our values."

"If Democrats here in Washington would rather play political games and shut down the government than support our troops, defend our treasury, and respect our values, then I say, 'Shut it down,'" he said.

"It's time to take a stand. We need to say to liberals, 'This far and no further,'" Pence told a tea party rally last week. "And if liberals in the Senate would rather play political games and force a government shutdown instead of accepting a modest down payment on fiscal discipline and reform, I say, 'Shut it down.'"

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Mike Pence made no secret of where his priorities are when it comes to governing. Pandering to the extremists in the religious right comes before the reproductive health of women, especially poor women and he'd prefer to shut down the government to funding Planned Parenthood. Just shameless.

Media Matters Political Correction has more -- Would Rep. Pence Shut Down The Government Over Planned Parenthood Funding? "Of Course":

This morning on MSNBC, Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) restated his commitment to his moral crusade against Planned Parenthood, once again letting down the Americans who voted for Republicans in hopes they would focus on job creation. There's no clearer evidence of the GOP's misplaced priorities than Pence's declaration today that "of course" he would be willing to "hold up this entire budget" — which would result in a government shutdown — over the defunding of Planned Parenthood.

WILLIE GEIST (CO-HOST): Are you willing to hold up this entire budget over defunding Planned Parenthood?

PENCE: Well— well of course I am. I think the American people have begun to learn that the largest abortion provider in the country is also the largest recipient of federal funding under Title X, and they want to see that come to an end. I think there's a broad consensus in this country, regardless of where you stand on the subject of abortion, there's a broad consensus for decades now opposing public funding of abortion and abortion providers. ... We're going to dig in and we're going to fight for the principle that taxpayers should not have to subsidize the largest abortion provider in the country, namely Planned Parenthood of America.

And as they noted, or course Mike Pence is lying here:

The funds Planned Parenthood receives through Title X go to family planning and health services other than abortion — things like pap smears and birth control. Pence's defunding efforts have nothing to do with separating federal tax dollars from abortion funding, since they're already separate; his amendment will undermine the ability of Planned Parenthood to provide any services because they also provide abortions — a much more radical objective.

Perhaps that's why he's had to manufacture the "broad consensus" he claims support him; in fact, a majority of voters oppose cutting off federal funding for Planned Parenthood. Being willing to shut down the government in the name of a rather meaningless moral crusade is such an extreme position that co-host Joe Scarborough (a former Republican congressman) incredulously asked Pence to clarify — twice.

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It looks like the teabaggers and their big rally planned this week was pretty much a bust with turnout with maybe a couple of hundred people showing up for it, but that didn't stop Rep. Mike Pence from doing his best rah-rahing of the crowd in support of shutting down the government if they don't get their way with no compromise on budget cuts they're demanding that are going to do enormous damage to our economy once and if they're enacted.

I just hope these fools in the crowd cheering for him that are on Social Security or Medicare or receiving unemployment insurance look forward to their checks not showing up if the likes of Pence get their wish. Of course Pence was trying to claim on every network he appeared on after he made these remarks that he didn't really want the government to shut down for political gain, but I'd say it's pretty obvious that's true after watching this display by him playing to his base and hoping no one else would notice that he was literally cheering on a shut down here, with the support of the crowd.

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Someone needs to ask Chris Matthews to read this report from Media Matters before he allows wingnut Marjorie Dannenfelser back on Hardball again to tout Andrew Breitbart's latest hit job on Planned Parenthood.

A Refresher Course On Andrew Breitbart's Dishonest Tactics:

Andrew Breitbart's website Big Government is promoting heavily edited videos produced by anti-abortion rights activist Lila Rose and falsely claiming that the video proves that Planned Parenthood engages in systemic criminal activities. Below, Media Matters reviews the dishonest tactics used in the past by Andrew Breitbart, James O'Keefe, and other Breitbart associates....

Here's more from Right Wing Watch on Dannenfelser -- Right-Wing Leaders Hail House Vote to Strip Planned Parenthood of Funding:

The amendment to block funding to Planned Parenthood passed by a vote of 240-185, achieving a long-held goal of Religious Right groups that vehemently oppose the healthcare organization. During the debate, House Republicans frequently touted the hoax videos produced by the extreme group Live Action and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) even pledged to go after Planned Parenthood’s non-profit status.

Taxpayer funding of abortion is already barred under federal law, and this new amendment would stop Planned Parenthood from receiving funds to provide the medical services which comprise the vast majority of the group’s work, like cancer screenings, tests for sexually transmitted infections, and family healthcare.

But an amendment devastating women’s healthcare is a reason to celebrate for anti-choice leaders and their allies in Congress: [...]

Marjorie Dannenfelser, Susan B. Anthony List:

Ending taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood is a non-negotiable,” said SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. “It must be a top priority in the Continuing Resolution battle. Taxpayers have strongly rejected their complicity with Planned Parenthood in the sex trafficking of underage girls. Pro-life America demands that our leaders in the Senate step up and take on this fight and that the House leadership holds its ground. Americans have spoken and the time to defund Planned Parenthood, a habitual and unapologetic ally of those who deal in the exploitation of minors, is now. This is a black and white issue and we will accept nothing less than the total defunding of Planned Parenthood in the Continuing Resolution.

And Rebecca Traister made many of the same points Rep. Diana Degette did here about what this attack on Planned Parenthood really means; defunding health care services for poor women -- This is what "pro-life" means?:

House Republicans just cut off funds for abortions -- and breast exams, cervical cancer screenings and STD testing

Continue reading »

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I guess it's safe to assume that Sarah Palin is definitely going to run for president since Bill Kristol has predicted she won't on this week's Fox News Sunday. Kristol's other predictions; Haley Barbour's racist past won't hurt him and neither will Newt Gingrich's infidelity. Bloody Bill also thinks that Newt Gingrich and get this... Mike Pence are going to be formidable candidates. Yeah, that intellectual powerhouse Mike Pence.

I guess Kristol thinks formidable means you're really good at mindlessly reciting Republican talking points ad nauseum because Mike Pence doesn't know how to do much else.

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Sen. Jim DeMint and Rep. Mike Pence made an appearance on John King's show with their latest set of demands on extending tax cuts for the rich.

So much for Pence's previous inadvertent admission that they didn't work.

GOP's DeMint and Pence Tout Permanent-Tax-Cuts-For-All Bill:

A pair of prominent Republicans -- one from the Senate, the other from the House – on Thursday called for a permanent extension of tax cuts at all income levels, just as a vigorous floor debate was under way about Democratic legislation to extend tax relief for just the middle class.

"Sen. Jim DeMint and I are introducing legislation that will ensure that no American, small business owner or family farmer will see a tax increase on Jan. 1, 2011, 2012, 2013 and beyond," said Indiana Rep. Mike Pence.

DeMint and Pence introduced the bill before Thanksgiving, but started promoting it Thursday. They want an up-or-down vote on all the tax cuts at the same time, a permanent end to the estate tax and a fix for the alternative minimum tax. The duo told reporters that uncertainty about future tax rates is stifling economic recovery.

"The economy is waiting to roar back in this country," DeMint of South Carolina said, "and the fact that we have waited this long to even address the issue tells you that the people running this government don't understand how business works."

Transcript below the fold via CNN.

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Mike Pence apparently decided that Rep. John Shadegg shouldn't be the only Republican coming on Morning Joe this week and showing the American public just whose interests his party is looking out for.

Rep. Pence: The Best Thing For The Unemployed Is Tax Cuts For Millionaires:

Unemployment benefits expired for millions of jobless Americans at midnight, marking the first time in four decades that Congress has failed to provide benefits with so many Americans out of work. Republican lawmakers who blocked an extension of benefits maintain that the country simply cannot afford to spend $12 billion on the unemployed, even as they fight to secure permanent tax cuts for the richest two percent of Americans, which will heap hundreds of billions on to the deficit.

On MSNBC's Morning Joe today, Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) said that while he is "deeply sympathetic" to the plight of the unemployed, "we've got to make the cuts necessary to offset those costs." During the interview, Pence claimed that Republicans are "anxious to support" struggling Americans, "particularly in the holiday season." However, asked whether he would accept a compromise that paid for unemployment benefits by allowing tax cuts to expire only on income over $1 million, Pence insisted that the jobless are better off swallowing tax cuts for the very rich than receiving immediate relief.

Pressed further on his priorities by Time's Mark Halperin, Pence awkwardly joked that he's "not good at chess," before falling back on his talking points. "I think the minimum that we have to do right now for Americans that are struggling in unemployment in this economy is make sure that no American sees a tax increase," he said.

HALPERIN: If your leaders came to you and said, "We have a deal with the White House. We're going to extend unemployment benefits, but the tax cuts for the people making over a million dollars a year will not be extended, but that helps to pay for it," would you take deal? Would you vote for that package?

PENCE: Look, I think the worst thing you could do for people that are struggling in this economy and looking for a job is raising taxes on any American. We don't wanna help with one hand and take away with another.

HALPERIN: Would you rather extend the tax cuts for every American, including those making over a million, or have the unemployment benefits extended if that's the choice?

PENCE: [Laughs] Yeah, good. This isn't a corner, but I feel the paint. You know? I'm good, nice move. I played chess with my son the other day and I lost, so, you know, I'm not good at this chess thing. [Laughs] Let me tell you, I think the minimum that we have to do right now for Americans that are struggling in unemployment in this economy is make sure that no American sees a tax increase.

And as Steve Benen pointed out after watching this exchange:

To fully appreciate the stupidity of the display, it's worth watching the video. The printed words just don't do it justice.

Watching this morning's exchange, I'm reminded of something Matt Yglesias wrote last year about the Indiana congressman. "Mike Pence is a moron, and any movement that would hold the guy up as a hero is bankrupt," Matt explained, adding, "I would refer you to this post from September about the earth-shattering ignorance and stupidity of Mike Pence.... [I]t's really staggering. In my admittedly brief experience talking to him, his inability to grasp the basic contours of policy question was obvious and overwhelming."

Remember, Pence is not only thinking about a presidential campaign, in September, he won the Family Research Council's Values Voter presidential straw poll.

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I caught this interview live and was wondering if Chris Jansing was auditioning for a spot on Fox here, since she allowed Mike Pence to rattle off one Republican talking point after another unchallenged. As usual, Media Matters does that job for her.

Rep. Pence Inadvertently Admits Bush Tax Cuts Did Not Work:

Today, Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) made a startling admission: the Bush tax cuts did not work. "I think it's fair to say, if the current tax rates were enough to create jobs and generate economic growth, we'd have a growing economy," he said. "It's not working now."

PENCE: Jim DeMint and I are offering legislation on Capitol Hill today to say, look, let's make all the current tax rates permanent, uh, and then let's start to work from there toward putting in place the kind of policies that'll really get this economy moving again. You know, I think it's fair to say, if the current tax rates were enough to create jobs and generate economic growth we'd have a growing economy. It's not working now. Let's at least give some certainty there and then we'll fight for more tax relief.

[...]

When Republicans pushed through the original Bush tax cuts, which sunset at the end of the year, they made all sorts of lofty promises. They boasted that the tax cuts would increase revenues, create jobs, and grow the economy. As a depressing reminder of a different time, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) actually argued that "the surplus will pick up" thanks to the stimulative effect of the tax cuts. Instead, we got exploding deficits, lethargic job creation, and "the slowest average annual growth since World War II." Worse yet, as the New York Times' David Leonhardt points out, that's "true even if you forget about the Great Recession and simply look at 2001-7."

And here's more from Steve Benen:

This isn't a subjective question open to debate; we tried a policy and we can evaluate its results. In this case, Republicans said Bush's tax policy would produce wonders for the economy, and they got exactly what they wanted. We now know, however, that the policy didn't generate robust growth, didn't create millions of new jobs, didn't spur entrepreneurship and innovation, and certainly didn't keep a balanced budget.

And now, as the failed tax policy is set to expire, what's the new Republican message? That this policy must be extended at all costs, and anyone who disagrees is putting the economy at risk.

They not only say this with a straight face, the argument in support of a policy we already know didn't work manages to scare a whole lot of Dems.

Pence finished up the segment with some equally incoherent comments on DADT -- Pence: Wait For DADT Study Results, But Keep It In Place Forever