Stop the presses

It turns out that politics is behind the farce that is going on in Congress.

In a memo distributed only to Republican senators, the Schiavo case was characterized as "a great political issue" that could pay dividends with Christian conservatives, whose support is essential in midterm elections such as those coming up in 2006. . .

Republicans acknowledged that the intervention was a departure from their usual support for states' rights. But they said their views about the sanctity life trumped their views about federalism.

An unsigned one-page memo, distributed to Republican senators, said the debate over Schiavo would appeal to the party's base, or core, supporters. The memo singled out Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), who is up for reelection next year and is potentially vulnerable in a state President Bush won last year.

"This is an important moral issue and the pro-life base will be excited that the Senate is debating this important issue," said the memo, which was reported by ABC News and later given to The Washington Post. "This is a great political issue, because Senator Nelson of Florida has already refused to become a cosponsor and this is a tough issue for Democrats."

I am conflicted about the way the Schiavo case was handled and ultimately resolved by the state courts, but this is ridiculous. Congress purported to subpoena her and, when that didn' work, it passed a law that is applicable only to her. And most members of Congress undoubtedly based their votes on nothing but a cynical political calculation. I am disgusted.