Gov. Tomblin – claiming to be pro-life – once again vetoed a bill that would make abortion after 20 weeks illegal. Currently, West Virginia is one of just 9 states that has no abortion limiting laws. In other words, a woman can get an abortion anytime up to the moment of birth for any reason in West Virginia. Ironically, most West Virginians are pro-life. But, we have elected leaders like Gov. Tomblin that claims to be pro-life but then vetoes pro-life bills. But, this story may have a happy ending after all.

A recent article reports that the West Virginia House of Delegates has overwhelmingly voted to override the Governor’s veto:

“The West Virginia state House overwhelmingly overrode a veto issued by West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin of a bill to ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy on unborn babies who studies show can feel intense pain. Tomblin, who claims to be pro-life, has twice vetoed the pro-life legislation to protect unborn babies. The House voted 77-16 (7 not voting) to override the veto of HB 2568 and the state Senate is expected to follow suit.”

I applaud our delegates for doing what is right by protecting the most innocent and defenseless West Virginians. It’s a shame that our governor doesn’t have the moral fortitude to do the same, but I hope (and pray) the State Senate will follow the House example and override Tomblin’s veto.

Where does this leave Tomblin? Well, I heartily agree with pro-life leaders that expressed their disappointment with Tomblin’s veto:

“In vetoing of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, Governor Tomblin has abandoned West Virginia’s unborn children. Governor Tomblin’s veto plays politics with the lives of unborn children. He is certainly not a pro-life governor and should no longer claim to be.” – Carol Tobias, National Right to Life President

“Governor Tomblin cannot claim to be pro-life and then veto a bill that seeks to protect unborn children who can feel pain from abortions. Unborn children who recoil from painful stimuli and who must routinely be given anesthesia when operated on will still be painfully killed in West Virginia because of the callousness demonstrated by Governor Tomblin.” – Karen Cross, National Right to Life Political Director

Tomblin’s political posturing has made his position on the issue of life very clear to this pro-life advocate. Maybe some old cliche’s will help Gov. Tomblin make up his own mind: “Actions speak louder than words.” During Tomblin’s campaign he repeatedly claimed to be pro-life. Those words are now holly and empty as he has done nothing – nada – to defend life in a state with a pro-life majority and not one abortion limiting law on the books. Tomblin can continue to claim to be pro-life all he wants, but until he shows some action that back his claim up, it will be nothing less than empty, meaningless, words.

Here’s another cliche: “If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and votes like an abortion advocate…” While his words ring hollow, Tomblin’s actions make it clear that he is in fact an abortion advocate. Here’s the bottom line, as a pro-life advocate I would do everything in my power to defend life. Even if I thought a piece of legislation might, potentially, be unconstitutional, I would sign and say “let the courts decide.” At least I would know that I did everything I could. But for someone to claim to be pro-life and then veto a life-defending bill twice signals that such a person is not pro-life, but is in fact the opposite. Is there any other rational explanation? Especially considering similar laws have been enacted in 11 other states and have withstood judicial challenge already? I don’t think so.

So we don’t have a pro-life governor. At least we know. Because there is coming a day when ole’ Earl Ray is going to run for Congress and he will try to tell us that he will be a pro-life voice for us in Washington. But, if he can’t be a pro-life voice in West Virginia, he certainly will not be a pro-life voice in Washington.