The pink sneakers are back.
Republican Sens. Susan Collins (ME) and Lisa Murkowski (AK) may have drawn the ire of conservatives for their "no" vote on the effort to repeal Obamacare, but they drew admiration from some Democrats and Planned Parenthood advocates. One infamous liberal Democrat was particularly inspired by the GOP senators' rebellion.
Remember Wendy Davis?
The Texas state senator and failed gubernatorial candidate who became notable for her 11-hour filibuster against a pro-life bill in 2013 that would ban abortions after 20 weeks, explained that Collins and Murkowski encouraged her to keep challenging her male colleagues.
"These two women are some of the most courageous politicians I have ever had the privilege to observe," Davis wrote in an op-ed for The Hill.
LifeNews pointed out that Davis appeared to be especially inspired by Collins's and Murkowski's dedication to protecting Planned Parenthood funding. Murkowski had written a letter to an Alaskan constituent in June in which she said was "committed" to maintaining the funding. Following her own "no" vote, Collins explained in a letter that Planned Parenthood funding was a major factor for her decision to torpedo the Republican bill.
Collins elaborated on that point during a sit-down interview with CNN anchor Dana Bash.
"The issue of family planning services, cancer screenings, and women care probably does resonate with us more than it does with our male colleagues, and to me it was so unfair to single out one Medicaid provider and say to women in particular, ‘You can't choose which health care provider you want to go to,'” she explained.
No wonder Davis was so inspired by their "courageous leadership."
I doubt Davis would have penned such a glowing piece if Collins and Murkowski had voted yes.