Karen Handel: Komen gave Planned Parenthood time to organize ‘shakedown’
I’m now transcribing a pair of interviews that Karen Handel gave this afternoon on her resignation from Susan G. Komen for the Cure – one week after the breast cancer charity reversed itself on a decision to sever financial ties with Planned Parenthood.
Karen Handel, after resigning as senior vice president of public policy for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, is interviewed by members of the news media in Atlanta on Tuesday. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
Handel said nothing bad about her former employer – far from it. But in essence, she said that, by giving Planned Parenthood notice in mid-December, Komen allowed the group time to organize a national “pre-meditated” operation “that was nothing short of a shakedown to coerce a private entity to give them grants.”
Last week, Komen had said that Handel, hired as senior vice president in April, had nothing to do with the adoption of the charity’s policy. Clearly that’s not true, given her statements below. But Handel said Komen would have to explain the contradiction, not her.
Handel has quickly become the focus of pro-choice forces in the country – two years after her GOP run for governor, during which some pro-life forces in Georgia declared she wasn’t sufficiently sincere about the abortion issue.
“The irony of the this does not escape me,” Handel said. She was first asked about the reason for her resignation, which she described as voluntary:
Handel:”Clearly, I had become an incredible focal point around all this, and it wasn’t good for Komen. And what was in the best interest of the organization was for me to step aside, do this with you and let the organization move forward and re-focus on its mission.”
What was the motivation for the Komen attempt to cut Planned Parenthood grants?
Handel:”A couple things. First, back in 2010, Komen began a – long before my time – an attempted review of its grants, looking to improve the quality of its grants. In looking at that, they determined a couple of things that they really wanted to improve that would give higher impacts in the community.
“…It’s no secret that for a long time, well before my time coming to Komen, Komen was really facing a backlash out there, specific to the controversies surrounding the Planned Parenthood grants.
“That controversy started to intensify over the summer, with over a dozen – if not two dozen – Catholic dioceses around the country telling parishioners, don’t support Komen, leaving race teams, donor questions, et cetera. And I was tasked with identifying options that would allow us to move to neutral ground around this. So that we weren’t on either side of an issue that – pro-life or pro-choice, we all know there are differing positions on that.
“…Options were presented, and it was vetted at every level of the organization. The board reviewed it, and it was determined to move forward.”
How much of this had to do with your personal opposition to abortion?
Handel: “Absolutely none. I’m a professional, and when I come to Komen, my No. 1 priority is the fight against breast cancer, our mission, and the women that we serve. The only place for politics in all of this came from Planned Parenthood, when they launched this vicious, vicious attack on a great organization and perpetrated what was nothing short of a shakedown to coerce a private entity to give them grants.
“I think that all of us need to consider – this is a private, non-profit. And the last time I checked, they had every right, and indeed the responsibility, to set not only the highest criteria for quality grants, but the highest standards they can for their grantees.
“…For an outside organization to come in, in the way that Planned Parenthood did, and conduct a shakedown to force them to reverse, is absolutely outrageous.”
Did this surprise you?
Handel:“Everybody was taken aback by the fact that this was premeditated, orchestrated…. There were conversations between our organization and Planned Parenthood, letting them know about the change in the criteria and how it would affect Planned Parenthood. And Komen was under the specific understanding that, while it was disappointing, that it was not going to be a media firestorm.
“Unfortunately, Planned Parenthood chose to go another direction. Komen is a breast cancer organization. It’s not an organization that knows guerrilla campaigning and guerrilla tactics like Planned Parenthood unleashed on Komen…”
“Keep in mind that the grants for Planned Parenthood were $680,000 out of Planned Parenthood’s $1 billion. For an organization to try to purport itself as a breast services organization is simply not true. It’s abundantly clear that this was never about the fight against breast cancer for Planned Parenthood. What it was about, remains about, is the fight to advance Planned Parenthood’s agenda. And they sucked Komen into the middle of it, and they used them in all of this. It’s a disgrace.”
Like I said, more to come. Check back here in a few.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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167 comments Add your comment
Miss Priss!
February 7th, 2012
6:08 pm
Dear Goodjobkaren,
Sweetheart, step away from the day room computer and shuffle back to your room to get strapped in for the evening. Know what I mean? Plus, I’m pretty sure Jesus dislikes all that self promotion.
Blessings,
Miss Priss!
Emily
February 7th, 2012
6:09 pm
Simple minds flock to paranoid conspiracy theories like peanut butter sticks to jelly, bees to honey, flies to feces, sperm to eggs.
keldorama
February 7th, 2012
6:09 pm
For all you people complaining that SGK caved to the pressure of the liberal media…WAKE UP! This was about money, pure and simple. PP took in over $3mil in donations in the three days after this announcement was made. People on Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc. were condemning the decision to no longer fund grants to PP. The money was pouring in from other sources to protect the health of a largely underserved population. But along with it came the promise to never support Komen (or any of its affiliates again). And SGK saw their precious cash cow circling the drain.
Attack Dog
February 7th, 2012
6:13 pm
Why hasn’t Focus on the Family developed orphanages, women’s health services, and pediatric health clinics? Oh, I know. It’s because it would interfere with the free market. No?
Ant
February 7th, 2012
6:14 pm
@Mike -completely agree. People care about the sanctity of life as it relates to abortion,but when it requires paying to support that life after birth,everyone goes silent and hypocritical.
Right-wingers are stupid
February 7th, 2012
6:16 pm
http://pss.sagepub.com/content/23/2/187
If Handel had graduated from college, perhaps she would think differently. Then again, asking a Southern Redneck to think is like putting lipstick on a pig…
midtownguy
February 7th, 2012
6:16 pm
Karen failed to realize, or acknowledge, that the majority of this country is not anywhere near as far-right as Georgia. The majority of the citizens in this country are pro-choice, that percentage much higher among women. To think that a charity devoted to women’s health could cut off funding to another charity devoted to women’s health without political consequences was just plain dumb.
Atl30309
February 7th, 2012
6:17 pm
I realize all politicians lie, but it’s actually entertaining to read about Handel spewing such unadulterated BS. Trying to make Planned Parenthood the big, bad meanie in this is laughable. This all shows how totally ignorant Handle and her compatriots at Komen were in terms of understanding the power of the internet.
The Man
February 7th, 2012
6:18 pm
I commend Handel for resigning, which was clearly in the best interests Komen. But she remains a dangerous mix of ignorance and arrogance. Komen is not a “private entity”–it is a huge public charitable organization with international reach that solicits and receives funds from across the wide spectrum of Americans. It also is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt entity, which means that it needs to steer clear of all politics. It failed to do so, and it has been seriously wounded. Brinker needs to resign as well to give Komen a full opportunity to turn the page.
Real News
February 7th, 2012
6:19 pm
Why would you give privately donated money to Planned Parenthood a federally sponsered organization in the first place? Isn’t this frauld? This donated money was given to help find the cure for breast cancer in the first place. By giving it away to help Planned Parenthood the US leading abortion clinics is a injustice to the people who donated our money to help women with breast cancer. For shame on you. I will stop my annual giving to you Komen. And Planned Parenthood shame on you as well for the frauld and murder you committ. And shame on you the corrupt liberal media and the perverted democrat leches.
catlady
February 7th, 2012
6:20 pm
I continue to lose respect for Handel and Komen.
Ol' Timer
February 7th, 2012
6:24 pm
Sometimes I think the right wingers couldn’t organize a three car funeral procession.
Real News
February 7th, 2012
6:24 pm
Shame on you Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards. Ms. Richards is a democratic party activist. There’s the problem. She should resign as well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecile_Richards
Real News
February 7th, 2012
6:26 pm
catlady, and OL’Timer, How about losing respect for the murderers at planned parenthood and their corrupt liberal democrat activist Cecile Richards.
Bemused
February 7th, 2012
6:27 pm
Komen is still run by Ms. Brinker, who hired this unaccomplished, uneducated, two-faced (literally and figuratively) voter suppressionist hack. Their brand is forever tainted. There is no shortage of charities fighting cancer that deserve support more than SGK.
American
February 7th, 2012
6:32 pm
Karen Handel was as bad at her job at Komen as she was at running for Governor…She is simply out of touch and out of step with the women’s movement and the concept of social justice in our country…She simply needs to go away and quit trying to force her political and social agenda on the rest of us.
GoodJobKaren
February 7th, 2012
6:37 pm
I really pity you poor libs. You’re so caught up in your hate and stereotypes that you don’t even realize that I’m a man, haven’t made less than $400k in 10 years, yet still take the time to do the right (pun fully intended) things in life.
Real News
February 7th, 2012
6:38 pm
Planned Parenthood President Ceclie Richards worked for the crazy corrupt Nancy(inside trader) Pelosi and for the union(obama) thugs at SEIU and is the daughter of the late Democrat Governor of TX Ann Richards. Seems like once you’re in the liberal corrupt democrat family their always find a way to put you in one of these government jobs paid for by the taxpayers for life. She always has been an inside the beltway corrupt democrat activist her entire life. Do any of these people EVER earn a real living outside the taxpayers wallet / government? Now it makes sense that the government controlled ledt wing media has been on this using their force.
Real News
February 7th, 2012
6:42 pm
Bemused and American, Where is your outrage towards Planned Parenthood and it’s President Cecile Richards aswell for their corruption, waste of taxpayers money and donations, and most of all the murder of millions of unborn babies. Do you people on the left have any morals? Do you??????????????????
Real News
February 7th, 2012
6:45 pm
Speechless are we bloggers from the left wing democrats?????????
Real News
February 7th, 2012
6:47 pm
Democrats = Planned Parenthood = MURDERERS of Unborn Babies.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will crush the heads of the perverted New World Order integrationist crowd and their devilish black minions
February 7th, 2012
6:49 pm
Evil companions corrupt good morals. Awake to righteousness and sin not…for some have not the knowledge of God Almighty. This is downright shameful.
Good white people like Karen Handel and those on the staff at Komen know that Integration and Planned Parenthood are like two peas in a pod… Both provide assistance to the ignorant, especially to integrationist African Americans which provides the cover to simultaneously kill them.
On the right hand, Integration and Planned Parenthood assist integrationist African Americans with an assortment of lethal artificial i.e. man made problems at a speed of 20 mph. And on the left hand, at the opportune time, integration and Planned Parenthood unleashes upon a reign of terror and death on the innocent with little or no mercy.
When the staff at Komen and Karen Handel attempted to expose the genocidal scheme, they found integrationists African Americans and women in general hopelessly conflicted.
Evil companions corrupt good morals.
Amen?
Centrist
February 7th, 2012
6:49 pm
Handel is talking out of both sided of her mouth. Komen was CUTTING OFF existing donations to PP, and it was pre-meditated. That backlash from that was far greater than the previous Catholic backlash, and why the policy change was reversed.
The Obama administration started this crap – read here: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/07/opinion/brooks-flood-the-zone.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
WAW
February 7th, 2012
6:59 pm
Right wing social engineering ain’t doing too good
Lifelong Georgian
February 7th, 2012
6:59 pm
I’m sure that Handel was a real asset to SGK when she first began, but clearly this is a case of someone simply staying in a position for far too long. I mean, the woman was with the organization for almost 10 months….ANYONE should have seen this disaster brewing with her being entrenched for such a long period.
Georgia Peach
February 7th, 2012
7:00 pm
Karen’s comments are nothing but BS. Bottom line- This is what happens when things get “MIss-Handeled”!
Bernie
February 7th, 2012
7:00 pm
Premeditated! Shakedown! If there was anything pre-planned, it was to come from the office of the V.P. of Public Policy. The problem is that the policy she helped create and implement became a media firestorm of epic proportions. The arrogorance of her misjudgement of public support for Planned Parenthood is what brought us all to this intersection. As a direct result of this same policy, Komen will never be the organization it once was. The name will never be viewed in the same light again no matter, what action is taken at this time. shut it down, turn off the lights..start over.
clsjey
February 7th, 2012
7:04 pm
What bothers me the most is that SGK did not go to Planned Parenthood and just simply explain that by granting PP money, they were negatively impacting SGK’s ability to fundraise. They could have been honest from the start and ask to quietly sever ties in a way that was mutually beneficial. Instead, they came up with an underhanded lie to cut off funds, and didn’t even let the local chapters in on the decision. The local chapters were left to inform PP after the decision was made. When SGK was called out on their decision by the general public, they lied again. I no longer have respect for SGK and I will send my donations to another worthy cancer charity.
Dam Buford
February 7th, 2012
7:06 pm
If you don’t believe in abortion, don’t get a damned abortion.
For a group of folks who profess their disgust with government intrusions, you certainly like to pick and choose when intrusion should be obligatory on the rest of us.
Lifelong Georgian
February 7th, 2012
7:08 pm
Handel was in over her head, but that’s nothing new. I know several staff members in the Georgia SOS office that said the woman was a terror to work for during her tenure there. They used the terms “tyrant” and “clueless.” Based on what we’re hearing from SGK, at least give her credit for remaining consistent….
captguitarman
February 7th, 2012
7:10 pm
The Dem/Libs have done a great job capturing this issue and spinning it their way, but unlike Komen, they have had lots and lots of practice in the political trenches – where they are obviously very comfortable. Komen’s folks are obvously amateurs. If you look at this very carefully, and without the rhetoric, you will find Planned Parenthood doing what it always does, promoting and pushing its agenda, i.e.abortion on demand and contraception services and counseling for any and all women who want it, and for young girls, even without the knowledge and consent of their parents — and as much of it as possible paid for by the taxpayers. The premeditation charge is actually superfluous because everything they do as an organziation 24/7 is poltically premeditated.
Someone asked how could this not have all blown up with one women’s group denying funding to another over a “political issue?” Planned Parenthood is not an organization that has to deal with poltical issues, it is a political organization, which provides abortion and contracption services to women.
Yes, I know you think you know exactly where this is going, but you don’t. PP can be that type of organization, or be whatever it wants to be to promote its cause, its politics, its supporters, and to help women any way it sees fit, andGod bless. Abortion is legal in America, and I doubt that will ever change now.
The thing that just aggravates those who think abortion is a moral issue and a moral (and for some a religious) outrage is that PP’s agenda is not only to promote its cause, and to do its work, but to force those with moral and religious objections to fund their activities. Moreover, if you fund them, that is not being poltical in their eyes – you have just been blessed with their special enlightenment -but, God forbid you turn them down or ever withdraw your support, and then you are the worst kind of political, a right wing nut job who is against helping women and especially poor women. Unfortunately, this spin is working. They collect beaucoup tax dollars and demonize anyone who says it is not their God given right to collect it, or any one who withdraws support, regardless of the moral objections of those taxpayers sending it in – or for any other reason. Komen is an organization that fights breast cancer. They decided that they want their money to be more focused on their cause and not just swallowed up in to the enormous PP black hole of public and private funding that they can direct anywhere they want to direct it — with much of it for PR and lobbying to make sure the public money — including the tax dollars of those who they despise and belittle because of their moral and religious objections — never stops rolling in.
honested
February 7th, 2012
7:15 pm
Handel and the anti-choice thumpers.
Oily Taint and the birther nutcases.
Can GA get a break and develop a news story that does not make us look like Hooterville?
Karen
February 7th, 2012
7:18 pm
Poor Komen, done in by PP. Seems like the catholics wanted their way about women’s health. That church might do better at putting some effort nto stopping the abuse of children by Priests.
sheepdawg
February 7th, 2012
7:22 pm
just another gop idiot
Hillbilly D
February 7th, 2012
7:27 pm
Good object lesson here. When you give your money to a charity, make sure you know where the money is going. That’s a lot easier to do if you keep your charity dollars, local.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will crush the heads of the perverted New World Order integrationist crowd and their devilish black minions
February 7th, 2012
7:27 pm
http://www.ajc.com/news/newton-police-investigate-double-1336975.html
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/buster/atlanta-video-beating-765912
This perverted New World Order integrationist crowd and their devilish black minions put authentic men and women of God Almighty in difficult positions. How can we condemn the personal choices of the integrationist African Americans who committed the violence above when their victims are the very integrationist African Americans that supports a woman’s right to choose to murder them in the womb via abortion?
Under those circumstances, authentic men of God Almighty always remain silent and leave it to the establishment men of God Almighty and the establishment community activist. God Almighty told authentic men and women of God Almighty to do no unrighteousness in judgment, in measures of length, or weight, or quantity.
But just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall we have said the Lord who brought us out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Amen?
RGB
February 7th, 2012
7:33 pm
Congratulations to Karen Handel for standing up for her convictions and for the truth.
That an organization that purports that “Everyone Deserves a Lifetime” to align itself with an organization that effectively says: “Well, Not EVERYONE Deserves a Lifetime” really says it all.
Planned Parenthood is not the only organization capable of delivering mammograms and breast exams to women. Komen put a stick in the eye to all those who believe that indeed EVERYONE deserves a lifetime.
Congratulations again, Ms. Handel.
duke,
What a powerful post! Indeed, anti-Christian bigotry, fueled by the secular Left and the media, is at an all-time high. And the Lord is clear as to the consequences of disobedience to His will. Our pastor covered this topic last Sunday in Romans 1.
v. 27b could not be clearer: “Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.”
Sadly, some folks will find out too late what “the due penalty” constitutes.
Lifelong Georgian
February 7th, 2012
7:34 pm
Geez, Lord/Savior, getting a head start on Sunday’s sermon, aren’t you? Give it a rest, dude.
And, yes, amen…!
JWetz
February 7th, 2012
7:41 pm
Right on GaBlue!!! Love it Aquagirl!!! GoodJobKaren, I have too many words to say to you but none of them will penetrate your dense skull. One thing I will say (and you should know this if you’re a “good” Christian) IT’S NOT YOUR PLACE TO JUDGE!!!! So don’t throw around words indicating certain people are going to hell because in doing so, you’re earning your own first class ticket there!!!
Rebar
February 7th, 2012
7:45 pm
Sounds to me like the Catholic church was the one that was premeditated on this; I wonder if that occurred to Ms. Handel.
Look before I leap...
February 7th, 2012
7:47 pm
Well if we can get the MN 6th’s average IQ up over 75, then SGK may have a job for Moonbat Bachmann.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will crush the heads of the perverted New World Order integrationist crowd and their devilish black minions
February 7th, 2012
7:54 pm
In the good Ole USA, Planned Parenthood and their devilish black minions are complicit in the murder of a baby via abortion every thirty seconds.
As we speak, those babies in the womb, especially the black ones, are praying that the authentic soldiers of God Almighty will make it their personal choice to stand up for truth, stand up for justice, stand up for righteousness, and stand up for their natural right to life.
Amen?
Real News
February 7th, 2012
7:56 pm
Democrats = Planned Parenthood = MURDERERS of Unborn Babies
JWetz
February 7th, 2012
8:06 pm
Right wing nutjobs = war = death, destruction and murder….. Hmmmm, I think I’ll stay where I am.
janet
February 7th, 2012
8:08 pm
Where were all you pro life, anti abortionists when Bush declared war on a country. Then we(that’s right he went to war in our name) killed over 100,000 Iraqi civilians. Since it is a Muslim country where Birth Control is prohibited, I would assume that many of those Iraqis killed were pregnant women Oh, and don’t forget the children who were also killed.. And yet not one word from any of you…..or don’t they count because they are not Christian or don’t advance your agenda?
GreatATLGuy
February 7th, 2012
8:19 pm
See you next Tuesday, Mrs. Handel, buh-bye…. and don’t let the door hit you on the way out
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will crush the heads of the perverted New World Order integrationist crowd and their devilish black minions
February 7th, 2012
8:21 pm
Yes, innocent men, women, children, and babies are killed in scourge of war. Authentic men and women of God Almighty condemned those actions on Constitutional as well as ethics and morals grounds…
But innocent integrationist African American babies and others are murdered in our country via abortion for convenience, selfishness if you will. As we speak, over 50 million American babies have been murdered via abortion since 1973 Roe vs. Wade.
Not to mention integrationist African American women have murdered via abortion over half the black babies they should have birthed since 1973 Roe vs. Wade.
Amen?
PMom_GA
February 7th, 2012
8:24 pm
Handel said…… ““I think that all of us need to consider – this is a private, non-profit. And the last time I checked, they had every right, and indeed the responsibility, to set not only the highest criteria for quality grants, but the highest standards they can for their grantees.”
Hey there, Karen? Ummm, pssst! Guess what???!!!???
I believe that I, like any other donator, has the right and the responsibility to set criteria and highest standards for how and to whom I give donations.
SKG – you fail my criteria & standards.
Shirley Phelps Roper
February 7th, 2012
8:24 pm
Karen, come and join our church in Topeka!! You would fit right in…..
td
February 7th, 2012
8:33 pm
janet
February 7th, 2012
8:08 pm
I thought a bi partisan Congress gave Bush the authorization to enforce the United Nations resolution against Iraq?