Pro-Life Komen VP Quits

Karen Handel confirms that she supported the decision to cut funding
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 7, 2012 9:48 AM CST
Updated Feb 7, 2012 10:56 AM CST
Pro-Life Komen VP Quits
Karen Handel and her husband Steve leave a polling location after casting their ballots in the Georgia runoff election Tuesday Aug. 10, 2010 in Roswell, Ga.   (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Karen Handel, the Susan G. Komen VP for public policy who reportedly fueled the decision to cut Planned Parenthood funding, has resigned, according to a letter obtained by the AP. In the letter, Handel confirmed that she had supported the defunding, but said that the discussion started before she joined Komen and noted that the decision was given the green-light by those at the charity's highest levels.

"I am deeply disappointed by the gross mischaracterizations of the strategy, its rationale, and my involvement in it," Handel wrote. "I openly acknowledge my role in the matter and continue to believe our decision was the best one for Komen's future and the women we serve." The buzz that Handel might be on her way out began yesterday, when Jezebel discovered a Komen job ad for a "Director of Public Policy." Or, as Jezebel says, "Director, Senior Vice President—tomato, tomahto." The ad has since been removed, though Jezebel has a copy. (More Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation stories.)

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