pet connection

I’m not a single-issue voter. As much as I care about animals, and about issues such as puppy mills, chaining, disaster response and horse slaughter, I would never vote for a candidate who had nothing going for him or her in my view except for support of humane legislation. It would sway me if I were on the fence, but vote against everything else because of animals? Sorry, but no.

That’s why I read with interest a piece from the Wall Street Journal on efforts by the HSUS to rally the votes of animal-lovers in support of its endorsed candidates:

For the first time in its 50-year history, the Humane Society is trying to elect candidates to Congress who support its animal-welfare agenda. After a series of mergers with other animal-welfare groups, the Humane Society counts 10 million Americans as members, an average of 23,000 in each of the 435 House districts. That’s more than twice the membership of the National Rifle Association, which is considered one of the most effective single-issue campaign organizations.

More important, the Humane Society’s motivating issue — the promotion of animal welfare — resonates with the white suburban women who could be the key block of voters who decide this election.

The Humane Society isn’t campaigning for just one political party. Sen. Rick Santorum, a Republican from Pennsylvania, won its support this year for championing federal funding for animal-protection programs. Virginia Republican Sen. George Allen was endorsed for introducing legislation to require bitter-tasting antifreeze to discourage pets from lapping up spills.

Here’s a link to the whole piece, but it’s only good for seven days, sorry.

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