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FRONT ROYAL, Va., May 20 /Standard Newswire/ -- Pro-life leaders with ties to Arizona have endorsed former Congressman J.D. Hayworth in the race for the U.S. Senate--a seat currently held by John S. McCain III, who is seeking a fifth term. Douglas R. Scott, Jr., president of Life Decisions International, was the first executive director for Arizona Right to Life (ARL). Jay A. Nenninger has served as president and executive director of Arizona Right to Life.

"I have had the great pleasure of working with J.D. Hayworth for more than a decade," said Scott. "No one in public office has been a more enthusiastic supporter and true believer when it comes to our efforts to protect preborn children." But Scott did not use such glowing words when speaking about McCain. "Convincing John McCain to support our initiatives has always been a major chore. He views the Pro-Life Movement as an unpleasant but unavoidable pain in the neck. McCain defends preborn human beings to the minimum degree necessary to keep from losing the votes of pro-life men and women." Scott said that, unlike McCain, the Pro-Life Movement has "been able to count on J.D. Hayworth every time."

"It is wonderful that J.D. Hayworth is running for the Senate," said Nenninger. "Mr. McCain has supported pro-life legislation only after being dragged kicking and screaming. J.D. Hayworth, on the other hand, has been with us without fail and without wanting to consider the 'political fallout' before committing." Nenninger noted McCain's support of embryonic stem cell experimentation, saying it is "anything but pro-life."

Oddly, the ARL Political Action Committee (PAC) has endorsed McCain. The decision has resulted in intense criticism and even some resignations. "I have served on the board of AZ Right to Life for over four years, and its associated PAC for almost that long. No longer," wrote Rachel Alexander upon her resignation from the PAC. It should be noted, however, that Hayworth has been endorsed by six former ARL officials, including executive directors, presidents and even PAC directors.

Some have suggested that a $5,000 donation to the group by McCain may have influenced the decision. (McCain is praised for the donation at least twice on the ARL website.) KGOV's Bob Enyart refers to himself as "a fan" of ARL and he hopes the group "gets its act together," but he wrote that the endorsement "is a black mark on the 30 plus year legacy of pro-life leadership. The pro-life citizens of Arizona might just be better served by a new organization, unadulterated by political ties and financial donations from the people it may endorse." A commentary in Lighthouse blog, which covers Arizona politics, suggested that ARL's problem is that it "continues to have less than adequate leadership at the top."

"It would be impossible for any person with an intact conscience to turn a blind eye to Mr. McCain's voting record and lukewarm support when deciding whom they should support," Scott said. "One may offer up any excuse or justification he or she desires, but there is no way that anyone who truly cares about human life, born and preborn, could support the reelection of McCain when a candidate with a significantly more pro-life voting record is in the race." Scott said members of the ARL PAC who did what he called "clearly the wrong thing" should "be ashamed."

Scott urged pro-life voters to ask themselves a question. "If Barack Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi had to choose between McCain and J.D. Hayworth, which candidate would they prefer?" Nenninger agreed with Scott's assessment. "Sending J.D. Hayworth to the Senate would be a great way to show Obama, Reid and Pelosi that Arizona backs true conservatives who value life."

Life Decisions International (LDI) is dedicated to challenging the Culture of Death, concentrating on exposing and fighting the agenda of Planned Parenthood. LDI's chief project is a boycott of corporations that fund the abortion-committing giant. To learn more about Planned Parenthood, please click here.