Here was the backdrop (click for enlarged pdf view):
NOW2a.jpg
Playing a spy of the spy game, The Interim reporter Samantha Singson infiltrated the NOW event to hear about Bader’s infiltration of the NRLC event….


Singson reported on it in the upcoming October issue, but here’s an excerpt from LifeSiteNews.com:

Bader’s opening salvo to the crowd was, “People! This is not a marginal group of crazies!”…
Bader spoke of how she had registered for the convention under a false name to observe the proceedings….
Three things really struck me about Bader’s presentation:

  • They underestimate pro-lifers. Believing in the stereotype of a movement dominated by old white men and subscribed to by marginalized, zealous, religiously motivated, uneducated “church ladies,” Bader couldn’t quite keep the surprise out of her voice when she reported that those at the NRLC Convention were “smart, educated, beautiful and articulate.”
    In Bader’s own words, “This just isn’t what you always heard the ‘anti-choicers’ were like.”
    Bader also expressed amazement at the level of organization and professionalism exhibited by the NRLC convention hosts, its speakers and its participants. Passing around the 100-page convention program for the audience to look at, Bader pointed out the number of sponsors, as well as the quality and the variety of topics that were being addressed.
    Comparing her 1992 NRLC convention experience to 2007, Bader was shocked by how savvy the pro-life side had become. She sternly warned her audience that the pro-life movement’s leaders were “covering all their bases” by not just filling people’s head with the rhetoric, but equipping them by providing information on lobbying, organization-building, political campaigning and youth outreach.

  • They’re intimidated and feeling marginalized. Detailing the NRLC presidential forum, which was attended in person by three Republican presidential candidates, NOW New York staffers shook their heads and asked, “Why aren’t we getting presidential candidates to address our annual conference?”
  • Discussing some of the movement’s current efforts, Bader was appalled by the “chipping away of Roe” through legislative action and media campaigns on mandatory sonograms, the partial-birth abortion ban, informed consent and fetal pain.
  • They are struggling to articulate their argument. Bader stated that “even NARAL doesn’t use the ‘A-word’ anymore. Part of what we need to do is talk up the social good that abortion is. Abortion is a moral good and a social good.”
    Seeming to be heartened by the positive response from the crowd, Bader pumped and loudly proclaimed “It’s abortion and it’s good!”

  • Encouraging report about us, Eleanor. Thanks.
    [HT: moderator jasper]

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