Uh-oh. A “pro-life” Catholic Democrat from Michigan just announced he’ll vote for Obamacare. He’s been rumored to be doing so for a while but now it’s official. He says it’s ok because he’s still pro-life. He tells the New York Times that he studied for the priesthood so he knows that the Senate bill doesn’t fund abortions -which, of course, is a lie.

This is a big boost to Democrats effort to pass Obamacare- just hours after that nutter Kucinich announced his approval of the bill.

Kildee gives a statement to the New York Times:

“For those who know me, I have always respected and cherished the sanctity of human life. I spent six years studying to be a priest and was willing to devote my life to God. I came to Congress two years after the Hyde amendment became law,” Mr. Kildee said in a statement. “And I have spent the last 34 years casting votes to protect the lives of the unborn. I have stood up to many in my party to defend the right to life and have made no apologies for doing so. I now find myself disagreeing with some of the people and groups I have spent a lifetime working with. I have listened carefully to both sides, sought counsel from my priest, advice from family, friends and constituents, and I have read the Senate abortion language more than a dozen times.”

He added, “I am convinced that the Senate language maintains the Hyde amendment, which states that no federal money can be used for abortion.”

Mr. Kildee is a close ally of Representative Bart Stupak, Democrat of Michigan and a leader of the House pro-life caucus, who sponsored an amendment adding tighter abortion restrictions to the House health care bill in November.

Kildee just sold out the pro-life cause. He can say whatever he wants. He’s lying. He sold his integrity for some career goodies.

Kildee then throws out there that the healthcare bill is actually very pro-life. And maybe it’s you crazy pro-lifers who aren’t really pro-life.

“We must not lose sight of what is at stake here — the lives of 31 million American children, adults, and seniors who don’t have health insurance,” he said. “There is nothing more pro-life than protecting the lives of 31 million Americans. Voting for this bill in no way diminishes my pro-life voting record or undermines my beliefs. I am a staunch pro-life member of Congress-both for the born and the unborn.”

Bad day for our side.

Barbara Listing, President of Right to Life Michigan said “I can’t say I’m too surprised. There’s been reports that he was undecided which most likely meant he was going to vote this way.”

Listing said Kildee had not been endorsed by RTL michigan for the past two election cycles because of Kildee’s vote in favor of ESC and fetal tissue research.

She said, “We never considered him a “Stupak pro-life’Democrat.”

But she believes that despite pro-lifers disappointment she believes Kildee’s seat is in a safe Democrat district.

“If he feels so strongly about his faith he should listen to what the bishops and cardinals are saying, not what the Speaker is saying,” said Listings. It’s more important for him to follow his Speaker rather than his constitutents…or his faith.”