Abortion

N.C. Senator Feels Backlash on Abortion Vote

The Republican who had himself excused is facing serious criticism.

When North Carolina overrode the governor’s veto on a 24 hour waiting period and mandatory ultrasound bill, there was literally one man responsible for the passage.  Republican Sen. Stan Bingham had voted against the bill originally, and rather than vote against it again, or abstain from voting, he had himself excused from the vote, bringing down the number of senators needed to override so that it could pass with all Republicans voting for it.

Now, Bingham is feeling the heat for his vote. 

Via the Winston Salem Journal:

[B]y the time the override measure came to a vote Thursday, Bingham had walked out of the Senate chamber. “I can’t vote for that bill; that’s all there is to it,” Bingham, who represents Davidson County, told the Greensboro paper.

Talk about trying to have it both ways. It rarely works, and it sure didn’t work in this case. Bingham, known for his independent thinking, basically allowed his fellow Republicans to push him into sitting out that vote. We’d have had more respect for Bingham if he had voted for the override. At least he would have taken a stand, one way or the other.

As it is — and make no mistake about it — Bingham is responsible for the override passing.

When he walked out of that chamber, he sacrificed his conscience. He turned his back on thousands of women, making a terrible, personal decision all the harder.

Will having it both ways work, or just make everyone unhappy with him?