So Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-Ohio) voted for the health care legislation and says that he’s pro-life even though the legislation includes taxpayer funded abortion. Pro-life groups did a good job of spreading awareness about the problematic aspects of the legislation before the final vote; so its content, at least on major pro-life issues, is no secret. And no one took the executive order seriously since it has no binding power.

Driehaus isthreatening the president of the Susan B. Anthony List, Marjorie Dannenfelser, with acriminal statute that could mean jail time for taking out ads that publicize his vote. It now goes to the Ohio Elections Commission for a vote. In the meantime, the billboard ad won’t be displayed.

You can see Dannenfelser explain her positionhere, and here’s a copy of thebillboard in question.

Unless I’m missing something, this is petty beyond the pale. His vote is public record and anyone has a right to praise or criticize him for its implications. It should definitely be part of a reasonable conversation as to whether he’s suited for office or whether one should vote for him.

Update – I missed this in yesterday’s news, but the ACLU issupporting SBA List. Strange bedfellows but I’m glad to see some rational unity on the matter.