This is the communication I received by e-mail on Texas Alliance for Life letterhead: On November 15, we hand-delivered a candidate survey to the office of each of the three candidates for House Speaker. The survey has 10 short questions on issues important to pro-life Texans, including issues regarding overturning Roe v. Wade, partial-birth abortion, public funding for embryonic stem cell research, and public funding for Planned Parenthood. This is the same survey that was sent to all candidates for Texas Senate and Representatives in the Primary Election and General Election. Both Warren Chisum (R-Pampa) and Ken Paxton (R-McKinney) responded within a day and gave answers consistent with the positions of Texas Alliance for Life. The current Speaker, Joe Straus (R-San Antonio), did not respond. * * * * Straus stated his position on abortion in January 2009 in a letter to House leaders. It read: “As you know I believe in the sanctity of life. I am consistent with existing restrictions on abortion including parental notification/parental consent. I believe exceptions should exist for rape, incest and harm to the life of the Mother. That said, I fervently hope abortion is the rarest medical procedure conducted in 2009 and beyond. “In terms of the work before us in the Texas House, I will look to elected House Members for thoughtful policy guidance on this important subject.” Straus has made it clear where he stands. He has support in the pro-life community. Having staked out his position, he was wise not to venture into angels-dancing-on-the-head-of-a-pin issues.