I feeling a little bad about a commentary I wrote earlier this week that totally offended Senate candidate Jim McNeely concerning his stance on abortion.

I read the West Virginians for Life questionairre and his response to it caught my eye.  Jim was the only person who responded who was marked as believing life began at birth.

At birth?  I went crazy.  So, I ripped him.

Mr. McNeely sent me a legalistic comment that was posted for a couple days asking for my comments to come down.  My response was also posted which basically said, “no.”

But, then Mr. McNeely sent me a regular email and we had some correspondence and, well, now I’m feeling a little bad that I said he was in favor of whacking babies a day before they are born (it was an exaggeration of course).

Anyway, the short story of it is that I came away from our emails with a feeling that Mr. McNeely is a decent guy who obviously seems to… well.. not want to kill babies a day before they are born.

And, while I hope that Senator Caruth beats him like a drum (figuratively, not literally) and I suspect should McNeely get through the primary, he will, I still feel bad that I ripped him like I did. 

I’ve offered a rebuttal response (as I do anyone who feels they were horribly offended).  He may or may not take me up on the offer.

Mr. McNeely’s response to the “life” question was legalistc.  But, one thing he will quickly learn, when he is asked whether he is pro-life or pro-choice, the minute you get to about five words on that answer, both sides quickly distrust you. 

So, while I didn’t take the comments down (I never do, unless I feel I was in complete factual error… right, never), I am feeling a little bad and thought I’d express it.