by Chris Bodenner
Karen Handel, the Komen executive behind its decision to nix funding to Planned Parenthood, resigned today – and went straight to Fox News:
Handel told [Megyn] Kelly that it is "absurd" to suggest she was the main force behind the foundation’s altered funding policy, adding that policy changes were carefully vetted. "Last time I checked," she continued, "private, non-profit organizations have a right and a responsibility to be able to set the highest standards in criteria on their own, without interference, let alone the level of vicious attacks and coercion that’s occurred by Planned Parenthood. It’s simply outrageous."
No surprise that Handel refused a severence package, which would have kept her from talking about the controversy in public. Weigel envisions her Palin-esque future as Fox contributor, bestselling author, and White House aspirant. One of the reasons Handel isn't already a governor is because she wasn't perceived as pro-life enough during her 2010 campaign:
[Gubernatorial opponent Nathan] Deal repeatedly attacked Handel over a 2005 vote she took while serving on a metro Atlanta county commission to give more than $400,000 to Planned Parenthood, though not for abortion services. The Georgia affiliate of Planned Parenthood said the money went to a downtown clinic for services such as cervical cancer screenings, testing for sexually transmitted diseases and birth controls.
Ta-Nehisi strikes the right chord on Handel's departure. And Balloon Juice doesn't realize that her exit will only empower her. Expect a big Facebook post from Sarah Palin, who endorsed Handel in 2010 and who never passes up a good culture war. What's even more troubling is that the abortion issue reaches another flashpoint just as Super PACs are getting ready to rumble for the general election. Will we see versions of this awful ad from 2008 that basically accused Barack Obama of leaving babies on the floor to die? If the nominee is Romney – a Republican with less-than-credible pro-life credentials – it's easy to see conservative Super PACs wanting to sharpen a contrast with Obama along those lines.
Previous coverage of the Komen controversy here, here, here, here and here.