Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Laura Woodhead - Talk Radio News Service

Conservative religious leaders paid tribute to recently deceased Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) Wednesday, while simultaneously rallying against health care reform efforts.

"When [Kennedy] faced a serious health problem he did not go to England, he did not go to Canada, he did not go to a country that has a government plan. He sought treatment in the country that he believed had the best treatment available, and that is America," said Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women For America, during a news briefing at the National Press Club. "That is a lesson that we can take from Ted Kennedy."

Ken Blackwell, Senior Fellow at the Family Research council, added that while he has tremendous respect for the Senator, he was "in sharp disagreement" with Kennedy's views.

In regard to health care reform, an issue that Kennedy has been a figurehead for, the speakers struck a different tone.

Mathew Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Council, said that it was imperative that health care legislation be prevented from passing if it does not protect the sanctity of human life.

"The Government must protect human life. Life... is not to be weighed on a cost benefit scale," Staver said. "Any health care policy that destroys our freedom and does not respect human life is unacceptable."

As alternatives to the public option, the Freedom Federation advocates TORT reform, making health care more affordable while insuring the "protection of tax payers consciences," said the Chairman.

Joining Staver was Bishop Harry Jackson, an outspoken pro-life advocate, who objected to President Obama's use of progressive ministers to convince the country that reforming health care is a moral obligation.

"What we are experiencing now is the lowest kind of partisan based politics. Trying to invoke religious privilege instead of standing high and having a real moral high mark," said Jackson.

The Bishop said that Obama was using precisely the tactics President George W. Bush was criticized for when he was accused of using the religious right as "foot soldiers" for his policies.

"It seems like the progressive ministers have gone down an even more devious and worse path," Jackson added.