Michael Schiavo Takes on Privacy Campaign

The man who last year won a bruising battle to disconnect his brain-damaged wife from a feeding tube is campaigning against government intrusion around the country.

The political action committee formed by Michael Schiavo _ whose wife, Terri, died after a seven-year court and political fight that reached Capitol Hill _ has raised about $25,000 and is targeting races in Colorado, Florida and Texas.

Schiavo came to Colorado on Wednesday to support Democratic candidates for the U.S. House, including Angie Paccione, who is challenging Rep. Marilyn Musgrave. Musgrave spoke last year on the floor of the House against allowing Terri Schiavo's feeding tube to be removed.

"I want to ask Marilyn Musgrave who gave her the right to speak about Terri," Schiavo said. "Who gave her the authority to bring Congress into my family decisions?"

Musgrave, who represents a sprawling district in eastern Colorado, issued a statement saying, "I have only compassion for Michael and Terri's family, and all those who have lost a loved one."

Pat Anderson, a Florida attorney who represented Terri Schiavo's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, said she found Michael Schiavo's political campaigning offensive.

"Somebody needs to tell this guy his 15 minutes of fame are up," she said.

State GOP chairman Bob Martinez criticized Schiavo's involvement in Colorado, saying he thinks most residents "were appalled to learn that Michael Schiavo is helping political candidates profit off his wife's death."