"I also look forward to working with my fellow pro-life colleagues to protect the sanctity of life, beginning with the passage of Rep. Joseph Pitts' Protect Life Act and Rep. Christopher Smith's No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act."

"Johnson goes on to highlight Upton's votes for cloning, embryonic stem-cell research, and the abortion drug RU-486. Johnson also points out Upton's record on the unborn victims' of violence act:

During the Administration of President George W. Bush, one of the major pro-life debates in Congress was over this question: If, during commission of a violent federal crime, a criminal attacks a pregnant woman and kills her unborn child, does that crime have one victim, or two? Polls showed that about 80% of the public said "two victims," but Mr. Upton's answer was "one victim" - he twice voted for the Lofgren Substitute, which would have codified the doctrine that such a crime has only one victim"

"Throughout his career in the House, Mr. Upton has been a strong defender of Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider."

Finley points out that Upton says he's a conservative and votes with the GOP leadership nearly 100 percent of the time.  Well, to quote my mechanic, "there's your problem right there."

It is the duty of conservatives to be conservatives first, and unfortunately, Upton is a Republican first, who is not conservative, even though he uses words like cut and chainsaw.

Upton's record clearly shows he is liberal, and many people I know would call him a RINO, but the idea that he is being considered for the Chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee after all that has come to light is unreal.

Rep. Doc Hastings of Washington has suggested this week that the Energy Committee be enveloped by his Resources Committee for many reasons, which would moot the rejection of Upton altogether.

According to the Houston Chronicle, there are four "contenders to the top Energy job- Reps. Fred Upton of Michigan, John Shimkus of Illinois, Cliff Stearns of Florida and Barton" of Texas.  Barton is term-limited by the House's own rules, but is seeking a waiver from his colleagues to run again.  Barton made news  during the BP oil spill this summer, when he apologized to BP for the government's "shakedown."  Barton was immediately back-handed by the leadership and was forced to apologize for his comments lest he lose his committee seat on the Energy Committee.   But, Barton's comment was right by conservatives like Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin, who denounced the leadership for reprimanding Barton.  It is believed Cantor and Boehner forced him to apologize, and they are still in charge.

Incidentally, Barton has a 94% rating from the American Conservative Union, Shimkus has an 88% rating,  Stearns has a 94% rating and Upton, a 72% rating.