Bo and Dara Wilkerson, the parents of 2 year old Bethany Wilkerson, who appeared in a television ad supporting SCHIP, and who are already being attacked by the right, sat down and talked with Keith Olbermann last night on Countdown. The Wilkersons, like the Frosts, are another down to earth, working class family making a modest living and whose only motivation for allowing their child to appear in the ad was to tell Americans about their successful experiences in the SCHIP program.
When asked about the attacks from the right for quitting a job that provided health insurance, Mrs. Wilkerson explained that she didn't become pregnant for several years after losing her benefits and that once Bethany was born and her heart condition was discovered, it made it impossible for her to get insurance for her because of a pre-existing condition, which is a major issue for millions of Americans who CAN afford private insurance. The most ironic note of the segment? Mrs. Wilkerson is a Republican. One presumes she's less than thrilled with her party now.