Handel to Deal: GRTL Leaders Have to Go

Written by Karen Handel

Karen Handel today called on opponent Nathan Deal to join her in demanding the resignation of two top Georgia Right to Life executives in the wake of a second incident of disgusting and hateful comments – this time using the son of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin in their continued attacks against Governor Palin and her endorsement of Handel.

In a news story in Politico this week, GRTL PAC Executive Director Melanie Crozier attacked Palin's endorsement of Handel and went so far as to say that "[Palin] has a son with Down's Syndrome, and under Karen Handel's laws, Handel would have felt like it was ok to go in and abort that child."

"This is a cruel and revolting lie and shows just how low GRTL leaders are willing to go for a political attack," Handel said. "I am deeply offended, and I can only imagine how offensive these callous remarks are to Governor Palin and her family – and to all Georgians."

Handel, who is pro-life, does not and has never held any belief that could remotely be construed as supporting the act Crozier describes.

"My little sister was born with a rare, life-threatening medical condition – one that few, if any, babies at that time had ever survived. It took miraculous, experimental neonatal care to save her and years of surgeries to ensure her the best that life can offer," Handel said. "My parents knew that she would likely be born with a health issue that she would likely not survive, but they chose life. In doing so, they gave me a sister whom I love more than I could ever express – a wonderful young woman who has enriched my life beyond measure. GRTL's assertions that I would eversupport what they claim are outrageous, untrue, and way, way over the line."

This is the second time a GRTL leader has stepped over the line in personal attacks against Karen. In June, the group's President, Dan Becker, called her "barren" and "infertile" because Karen and husband Steve were unsuccessful in their decade-long attempt to have children.

"What this group's leaders are doing is morally wrong. Their comments and their attacks are offensive and cruel. More importantly, these two individuals are setting back the pro-life cause that I so firmly support," Handel said today. "I ask Nathan Deal to join me in calling for Becker and Crozier to resign or be removed from the board of GRTL, so that this organization can be honorable once again."