Keep her in Kansas

February 11, 2009 12:35 am

IN 2005, Time named Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius one of the na- tion's best. Governing Magazine did, too. She cleaned up the $1.1 billion debt she inherited when she became governor in 2002 and is known for her management skills. For eight years, she was Kansas' State Insurance Commissioner, a post in which she dealt daily with health issues. Now, she's in the running for secretary of health and human services in the Obama administration. Really, what's not to like?

Plenty. Despite her skills, Ms. Sebelius would be one of the most divisive nominees President Obama could pick. For along with her adept administrative abilities comes one of the most radical pro-abortion records of any governor.

Ms. Sebelius, who claims she is "personally opposed" to abortion, has vetoed legislation establishing such moderate measures as parental notification, informed consent, and waiting periods. The latest measure to get the ax was one that would have given women the chance to see an ultrasound of their babies before an abortion.

The governor also has an oddly close relationship with George Tiller, a Wichita doctor who brags on his Web site that he has performed more than 60,000 late-term abortions since 1973. He's now facing trial for 19 counts of performing illegal abortions. A major contributor to Democratic campaigns, Mr. Tiller has been fêted at the governor's mansion.

Ms. Sebelius, who is Roman Catholic, has run afoul of her church over the abortion issue. Archbishop Joseph Naumann has forbidden her from "presenting herself for communion" until "she makes a public repudiation" of her support for the lethal procedure.

From an administration bent on "unity of purpose over conflict and discord," a nod to Ms. Sebelius for HHS secretary would be nonsensical. Gallup notes that only 35 percent of Americans approved of Mr. Obama's decision to release funds for overseas abortions. But this nomination? "Conflict and discord," thy name is Sibelius.