It seems that ever since Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination, every facet of the right-wing movement has tried to make their mark on the nominee. Everyone from the Judicial Confirmation Network to the Family Research Council have made their views known. However, for a single issue organization opposing abortion rights, this nomination might have made them feel like they would be on the sidelines, since Judge Sotomayor has an almost non-existent record on abortion.
But that hasn’t stopped Operation Rescue from pulling out all the stops. And then some.
Today, in a press release, Troy Newman, president of Operation Rescue, brings new meaning to the term “grasping at thin air.” The release, titled “Senators Considering Sotomayor Should Take Notice of Delays in Florida Born-Alive Baby Killing Case”, outlines the criminal prosecution of an abortion clinic worker from Florida.
The criminal trial of Belkis Gonzalez, who was charged with two felony counts related to the death of a baby born alive during a botched abortion in Hialeah, Florida, in 2006, has been delayed. Just two days before the scheduled July 9th trial date, a new prosecutor, Gail Levine, was assigned to the case, prompting Judge John Thornton to reschedule the trial to begin on October 9, 2009 at 9:00 AM.
Not once does the release mention Sotomayor, until the final paragraph in which Newman goes above and beyond in trying to tie together the prosecution of a Florida man and Judge Sotomayor:
“This is what happens when prosecutors and even judges allow their personal feelings about abortion to interfere with justice. This case should be a lesson to Senators who are considering the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. Sotomayor has shown a similar inclination to allow her personal beliefs to trump the rule of law. That kind of partiality only leads to injustice.”
In no way is Sotomayor linked to tthe prosecution of Gonzalez nor does the headline in any way accurately reflect the content of the press release. But that hasn’t stopped Newman and Operation Rescue from trying to brand Sotomayor in a way that fits their organization’s agenda.
