Late yesterday evening, the platform deliberations finally drew to a close after nearly 12 hours of “ayes” and “nayes” for Day Two of the full committee meeting.

Early in the day, an amendment adding language reaffirming the Mexico City policy (which prohibits funding of organizations that promote or provide abortion as a method of family planning) coasted through to adoption . . . and there were no objections or modifications whatsoever to the language on Freedom of Conscience (which was drafted with AUL assistance).

But the rumors we reported here on the blog before the lunch break about possible amendments to the language on stem cell research proved to be true.

Very late in the day, a pro-life ally advanced an argument which opened the door to embryonic-destructive stem cell research. The amendment offered would have undermined the section’s clear language banning embryonic stem cell research. As you can imagine, the discussion became pretty intense.

(During the debate, Dan kept in touch with delegate allies via Blackberry. A great use of technology — texting isn’t just for teenagers!)

I’m very happy to report to you that after significant back-and-forth among the delegates — which was punctuated by an adjournment to a side conference in a hallway where the delegates standing up for a strong ban were “encouraged” to give way — the final language remained firm on an unequivocal ban on embryonic-destructive research and experimentation.

We can take deep satisfaction tonight in knowing that the platform recommended to the party by the committee will be a strong pro-life document. We all owe a debt of gratitude to the pro-life delegates who worked so hard to ensure the pro-life message of the party remained strong.

Next step: The full party will vote on this platform on Monday night at the start of the GOP convention. Once again, your AUL team will be there and we’ll report back to you with our on-the-scene observations.

Before that happens, however, we’ll have the announcement of Senator McCain’s vice presidential pick. That announcement is slated for noon on Friday; I’ve been invited to a Conservative Leaders’ luncheon and briefing here in Minneapolis at 1:00 that same day. That timing is not coincidental, of course, so stay tuned — I’ll report back to you about that event on Friday evening.

As you know, AUL is focused on promoting life in both parties, encouraging them to be dedicated to life.

Please do take a moment and let a friend know about AUL. Thank you so much for coming alongside and partnering with us in defending life in law.

I’m writing to you from Minneapolis, where we spent a very full day yesterday participating in the deliberations over the GOP platform. Dan McConchie, our Vice President & Executive Director, is here with me and together we focused on two subcommittees — one on Crime and Values, which included a section on the Sanctity of Life; and another on Health Care, which included sections on Rights of Conscience of health care workers and Stem Cell Research.

I’m so pleased to be able to report to you that each of these sections was strengthened through the excellent work of dedicated pro-life delegates. Working with them, we had the opportunity to suggest language which was, in one instance in particular, adopted in its entirety.

This has been an extremely valuable trip and we so appreciate your support which makes efforts like this possible. We ran into Ann Stone, the national chairwoman of Republicans for Choice, and others who argue that the platform language needs to change, but in the end, the changes that were made moved in the direction of defending life.

Late yesterday afternoon the subcommittee deliberations concluded and the full committee convened to consider the recommended changes. That meeting wore on into the evening, and finally concluded just before moving to review the sections on Health Care which include important life-related sections. The committee takes those sections up this morning.

Your AUL team will be there once again, providing support in the fight to maintain a strong pro-life statement in the Republican platform.

As you know, AUL is focused on promoting life in both parties. So while the platform deliberations advance here in Minneapolis, we co-sponsored a dinner Tuesday evening in Denver with Democrats for Life, honoring pro-life defenders in the Democratic party.

We’ll be back at the Minneapolis Convention Center again this morning for more action on the platform . . . and then next week, we’ll also be attending the GOP convention.  Be sure to check this blog for updates on the action where we’ll be posting regularly.

And most of all, thank you again for your support. Please tell a friend about AUL by forwarding this post . . . and then take a minute to leave a comment and tell us what you are thinking during this political season.