This is great news. As an animal lover, I can certainly see how the Humane Society has tremendous political potential. From the WSJ:
For the first time in its 50-year history, the Humane Society is trying to elect candidates to Congress who support its animal-welfare agenda. After a series of mergers with other animal-welfare groups, the Humane Society counts 10 million Americans as members, an average of 23,000 in each of the 435 House districts. That's more than twice the membership of the National Rifle Association, which is considered one of the most effective single-issue campaign organizations.
More important, the Humane Society's motivating issue -- the promotion of animal welfare -- resonates with the white suburban women who could be the key block of voters who decide this election.
Good. But how do they distance themselves from Animal Rightists?
Coturnix makes a good point. Here in Arizona the Humane Society has been backing a proposal which would require pig farmers to give pregnant pigs cages large enough to turn around in. Not all pigs, just pregnant ones. The opposition is running full page adds in the paper misleading voters with the headline that PETA is the big supporter of the proposition. The animal rights extremists will always be used against any animal welfare candidates or proposals.