Also in the “good news” column this morning…
Karen Handel, the charity’s vice president for public policy, told Komen officials she supported the move to cut off funding for Planned Parenthood, though she said the discussion started before she arrived and was approved at the highest levels of the charity. A person with direct knowledge of decision-making at Komen’s headquarters said Handel was a driving force behind the move to cut the funding.
… A person with direct knowledge of decision-making at Komen’s headquarters in Dallas said the grant-making criteria were adopted with the deliberate intention of targeting Planned Parenthood. The criteria’s impact on Planned Parenthood and its status as the focus of government investigations were highlighted in a memo distributed to Komen affiliates in December.
According to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of repercussions, a driving force behind the move was Handel, who was hired by Komen last year as vice president for public policy after losing a campaign for governor in Georgia in which she stressed her anti-abortion views and frequently denounced Planned Parenthood.
… Anti-abortion activists in Georgia praised Handel’s decision.
“I commend her for it,” said Daniel Becker, president of the Georgia Right to Life.
He said the organization still had concerns about Handel’s belief that women who are raped or victims of incest should be allowed to seek abortions. [SFGate]
