Erickson abortion story detailed, documented
The woman who claims that GOP congressional candidate Mike Erickson got her pregnant and paid for her abortion has now detailed those claims in a series of interviews with the Oregonian - including documentation. From the O's long, detailed front page story:
Her story is backed up by medical and other records, and the accounts of two friends, one of whom was with her at the abortion. Their story conflicts directly with Erickson's version.He agrees that he gave Tawnya $300 for medical help, and a ride to a doctor's office near Lloyd Center, but said he didn't know she was pregnant or planned to get an abortion. He said he doesn't think he saw her again after that day. ...
Tawnya, now 34, recalled sitting with Erickson in his new Mercedes that January, parked across from the abortion clinic.
"I was bawling so hard I couldn't speak. He looked so sad. He looked like he cared," she said.
"I asked him, 'Are you sure you don't want a baby?' " she said. "He shook his head. I opened the door, got out bawling and crossed the street and walked up to the clinic."
Erickson, 45, said he dated Tawnya "for a couple of months." He told The Oregonian he didn't remember many details about their relationship, including where they met or when they dated. He said she betrayed no emotion during the car ride.
"Did I pay for an abortion? Absolutely not," Erickson said.
Writing separately, the O's Jeff Mapes offers this political analysis - and how it affects Kurt Schrader, the Democratic candidate to succeed Darlene Hooley:
If Republican Mike Erickson were a typical congressional nominee, he'd be under terrific pressure to drop out of the race after this morning's story in The Oregonian.Reporters Janie Har and Steve Mayes provide ample detail for the charges first made just days before the May primary that Erickson - who has made political hay out of his opposition to legalized abortion - provided money for a girlfriend to get an abortion.
The Oregonian's account clears up any lingering doubt about whether there was an abortion and provides further corroborating evidence for the woman's story. ...
While Republican chances of taking the 5th District seat that Hooley is vacating have now dimmed considerably, Erickson still has the wherewithal to force Democrat Kurt Schrader and his allies to put serious resources into this race and advertise heavily.
Help Kurt Schrader fight back against Erickson's millions. Donate to Kurt Schrader today.
Discuss.
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June 23, 2008
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10:30 a.m.
Jun 23, '08
If Ericson stays in, Schrader wins. He can not get high Republican support, let alone independents and Dems with this out there. The question is what happens if he does drop out? Mannix was soundly rejected by his party. Who else and will they have a chance to raise money if they get a late start?
Jun 23, '08
Erickson is like a lot of other Republicans. He thinks he's exempt from the morality he wishes to impose on everyone else because, well, he's special. We see this over and over.
12:53 p.m.
Jun 23, '08
Rather like a talk show host or SNL writer, I sure hope to hell Erickson stays in...otherwise what am I going to do with all this OTHER juicy crap I've got, on what Erickson has done during his short but eventful life? Taking down Smith is a necessity, but exposing all the dirt on Erickson was going to be a far more entertaining romp.
Eric, don't listen to the media, your Republican wacko base, and pretty much every independent or Democrat who's disgusted to hear about this special episode of callousness and hypocrisy. Stay in the race--we need you, buddy!
Jun 23, '08
Even I, a more conservative-leaning person, believe Erickson lied, and that he should drop his bid. I just published a post on the subject on my blog.
Jun 23, '08
Erickson, the Roger Jepsen of Iowa.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Jepsen
The reporter who broke the story which ended Jepsen's career was a friend of a friend.
That is part of how Tom Harkin was elected to the US Senate--someone I had a chance to meet when I was a 1984 Dem. National Convention delegate.
There is a dandy article about a state convention to decide whether or not to replace Jepsen on the ballot which I heard about at that convention and someone finally found for me, made a copy, and sent to me.
Anyone who has time to do that sort of library research in a library which has NY Times 1984 archives would enjoy reading it. Written by Steve Roberts, as I recall.
Jun 23, '08
You guys just don't get it. Erickson is secretly courting the pro-choice vote.
Jun 23, '08
If Erikson drops out what is the Oregon law on replacing someone on the ballot. Would the Republicans be able to or do they just get to try and push their own write in candidate?
Jun 23, '08
If he drops out, the Republicans get to nominate someone in his place. But they can't force him out - only Mike Erickson can drop out.
Now, to be fair to Erickson, the GOP voters in the 5th District knew exactly what they were getting when they voted for him. It's not like this came out after the primary. They saw all of this, and they voted for him anyway.
He shouldn't succumb to the pressure to drop out. He won fair and square.
Jun 23, '08
Mike is a sleazebag. But he might be right. Was he the father of the aborted baby?
But Tawnya is also a sleazebag. And a gold digger. Doing Mike while she was still living with her ex-boyfriend. Maybe even SHE did not know who the real father was. But obviously, the deadbeat boyfriend didn't have any money, so she went after the guy with money.
Riddle me this, which loser is bigger: 1) Mike 2) Tawnya 3) the ex boyfriend
3:51 p.m.
Jun 23, '08
"Mike is a sleazebag. But he might be right. Was he the father of the aborted baby?"
I don't think that question has even been addressed. Mike is fucked for PAYING for the abortion, no matter who the father was. Cause you see, Mike's trying to make his bones on being AGAINST abortion. PAYING for one, tends to create a counter-message, if you know what I mean...
while voters in CD5 knew about the allegation, they didn't have the woman herself contradicting Erickson and providing documentation to back up parts of her claim.
Jun 24, '08
Mike is a sleazebag. But he might be right. Was he the father of the aborted baby?
Oh yeah... it's much more preferable if Erickson is just some guy who goes around aborting other people's unborn children.
9:32 a.m.
Jun 24, '08
Riddle me this, which loser is bigger: 1) Mike 2) Tawnya 3) the ex boyfriend
Wow, that's a tuffy. Here's an easier one:
Which one of 'em is running for public office as a moral crusader?
<hr/>Also, FYI, this one's up on Huffpost, linked back to the story on the O.....
12:30 p.m.
Jun 24, '08
But Tawnya is also a sleazebag. And a gold digger. Doing Mike while she was still living with her ex-boyfriend. Maybe even SHE did not know who the real father was. But obviously, the deadbeat boyfriend didn't have any money, so she went after the guy with money.
Tawnya isn't the one running for office on the alleged "family-values" platform. And its pretty sleazy to come over here to BlueO to sully her, frankly.
It does nothing to excuse Erickson in any way. So there's no other reason to post that stuff unless its to retaliate against Tawnya. Sleazy.
Jun 24, '08
Tawnya, if you're reading this, I want you to know that I (and probably many other people here) admire your courage, independently of whatever politics surrounded your decision. To speak truth to power -- and on such a scale as this! -- is no small task, and that it concerned a very personal experience for you made it even tougher, I'm sure. But speaking out like you did takes a strong character, and I think that quality transcends party lines or political maneuvers.
<h2>Thank you for your example.</h2>