http://mydd.com/story/2005/12/13/194157/36#comment_top MyDD Interview with Michael Schiavo by Matt Stoller Michael Schiavo just started a PAC called TerriPAC to hold politicians accountable for putting "their own political agenda ahead of our basic rights." *Michael is a former lifelong Republican. Matt Stoller: Michael, a lot of us were horrified watching the intrusion of the government into the private life of your family. *At what point in your 15 year journey did politicians begin to see political advantage in intervening in your family's private and painful lives? Michael Schiavo: The political circus officially began in 2003 when Governor Bush got together with some legislators and decided their political needs should overrule my private family decisions and the decisions of Florida courts. The politics became national when their efforts in Florida didn't work. Matt Stoller: In today's news media climate, the tragedies of a single family are getting pushed into all of our lives. You experienced this from the other direction, as an entire nation was thrust into your own tragedy. What was that experience like, and what thoughts about the news media did you come out with? Michael Schiavo: Nobody should have to endure the spectacle that we went through. But we decided early on that what was important was to care for Terri and be with her, and fight for her instead of fighting with the media. I didn't seek this spotlight and I never asked for this fight. I do realize it must have been hard for the media to be fair when I (or my family) didn't actively seek the spotlight like others did. *I did, though, hope for more balance and fairness from some in the media. And less of the blanket access that some used to deliver their biased and political statements. What was most disheartening was it seemed that one side of this issue used willing allies in the media as a weapon to deliver misleading information designed to attack me personally, create fear, generate outrage and compound the spectacle. * Matt Stoller: I see from your website that you were a life-long Republican before this episode. *There are many Republicans who were horrified by what happened to you and your family. *Many of them believe that this episode was a mistake, or an outlier, in other words, that it is not representative of what the Republican Party really stands for. *Do you agree? *Has the Republican Party been taken over by extremists? *What message do you have for moderates who still think they have a home in the Republican Party? Michael Schiavo: No, I don't agree that what happened to me and my family was either a mistake or an "outlier." The politicians, most of whom were Republicans, knew exactly what they were doing. There was even a printed memo from a U.S. Senator's office spelling out how to take political advantage of me and Terri. Even just a few days ago, Republican Congressman Chris Shays said what the Republicans did to my family was an "embarrassment" and said it was "designed to give Tom Delay a platform." So, I believe it was a plan - a design. Interfering with families' rights to make private, personal decisions shouldn't be any politician's platform. There are many good Republicans - where I work, in my family and all over the place. And many of them were sickened by what they saw their party doing to the rights of individuals and families. But the people leading the Republican party in Washington D.C. and in Florida today aren't like the Republicans I know. The leaders of that Republican party are, in my opinion, out of touch, mean spirited and very selfish. To do what they did just so they can win re-election is the lowest kind of politics. And it cost them the support of at least this Republican. I have gotten hundreds of letters and emails from other Republicans who agree with me and many of them have joined me in leaving the party. My message to moderate Republicans is: Pay attention. Learn what these people are doing in your name and with your votes. That's why I started TerriPAC. People have to know what's going on. Matt Stoller: Who do you hold most responsible for this political pandering, by name? Michael Schiavo: I don't think any one person is responsible. Many, many public people acted irresponsibly to turn my tragedy into a political issue. But I remember the actions of a few people. George Bush, Senator Bill Frist, Tom Delay, Rick Santorum and Jeb Bush are some of the names I won't forget any time soon. Matt Stoller: You have experienced the right-wing slime machine first-hand. *Now that you are advocating for political change, you will experience it again. *What attacks do you expect? *What is your strategy for fighting back, and how can Americans help? Michael Schiavo: I am sure their PR machine will continue to call me names, try to intimidate me and attack my character. My strategy has always been to take the high ground and respond directly. I'd love for people reading this go to www.TerriPAC.org, sign up on our email list, make a donation and learn how their Representatives acted when they had to choose between the rights and privacy of families and basic politics. Matt Stoller: Justice Sunday III takes place on January 8 in Philadelphia, headed by Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, James Dobson of Focus on the Family, and Rev. Herbert Lusk of the Greater Exodus Baptist Church. *The Family Research Council has already produced an ad on 'activist judges'. *What are your thoughts on this gathering of right-wing leaders? Michael Schiavo: I find it interesting that a gathering called "Justice Sunday" is so deeply interested in ignoring our laws. And I welcome their ads. I think most people respect judges and the rule of law in our communities and their attempts to replace judges and laws with televangelists and politicians will frighten many Americans. Matt Stoller: What are you hoping to accomplish with Terripac? Michael Schiavo: I want people to join me in holding the politicians accountable who put their own political careers before our fundamental rights to privacy. They took a painful and most private situation and made it into a political card game. I want TerriPAC to be a force for positive change in this country. Our leaders need to learn a lesson from what happened to me and my family and they haven't. I hope Americans who watched those politicians in action will help TerriPAC raise money. We will use that money to directly engage these politicians on their own turf, during their elections and remind their voters about what they did, what they said and how they voted. We won't just engage the politicians who sold-out to political pressure, we also want to support the leaders who should tremendous courage on this issue. But it's an issue and a fight that's too important to do nothing. Matt Stoller: Thank you, Michael, for all you are doing.
