AP/Boston Globe Examines Abortion Rights Positions Of New Hampshire Gubernatorial Candidates

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 20 Aug 2008 - 9:00 PDT

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The AP/Boston Globe on Saturday examined the positions of the three New Hampshire gubernatorial candidates on abortion rights and other issues.

According to the AP/Globe, both Democratic candidates -- current Gov. John Lynch and Katy Forry, a retired teacher who is challenging Lynch in the Sept. 9 primary -- said they support abortion rights. Lynch said, "I do not believe government should interfere in decisions that are best made by women, their families and their health care providers." Forry also said that when making a decision about abortion, she trusts women, not government, "no matter what age" they are.

State Sen. Joe Kenney (R), who also is running for governor, criticized Lynch for signing a measure that repealed a parental notification law that required physicians to notify by certified letter a parent or guardian of a minor who sought an abortion at least 48 hours before performing the procedure. The law was never enforced, and a federal judge declared it unconstitutional because it lacked a provision for cases in which minors' health was at risk. Lynch said that he believes parents should be involved in abortion decisions but it is not always possible and that the "health and safety of young women must not be jeopardized in those cases." Lynch also said, "I think we should continue to look for ways to encourage adult involvement and support, where possible, in these cases."

Kenney said, "Instead of fixing [the law], the liberal majority in Concord led by Gov. Lynch took the opportunity to eliminate it. They have now created a situation where girls who are seeking abortion(s) will come across the border ... to have abortions." Kenney added, "It was one of the worst decisions that a sitting New Hampshire governor has ever made" (Love, AP/Boston Globe, 8/16).

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