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Anti-abortion group rips state GOP chairman

By Lynn Bartels, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published June 17, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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A Colorado anti-abortion group that wasn't allowed to set up a display table at the state Republican convention blasted party chairman Dick Wadhams on Monday, saying he is trying to drag the party "to the left."

Colorado Right to Life President Joe Riccobono warned Republicans that by shunning their conservative base, they're headed for "another election catastrophe in November."

"Wadhams has moved U.S. Senate candidate Bob Schaffer to the liberal middle and he's trying to drag the Colorado GOP to the left," said a news release from the organization.

Wadhams, who is Schaffer's campaign manager, found the charge laughable.

"I've never been accused of being a closet liberal," he said. "That would come as a big surprise to my Democratic friends."

Wadhams called the organization a "very small fringe group."

Colorado Right to Life is one of two state anti-abortion groups that have questioned Schaffer's commitment to their movement. They accuse Schaffer of refusing to take a position on the "personhood" initiative because it might cost him votes. The ballot measure would define a person as a human being from conception.

"Any organization that publicly attacks the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate is not going to be allowed to buy table space (at the convention)," Wadhams said.