Va. Gov. Candidate Deeds Attacks Opponent On Antiabortion-Rights Views

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 12 Aug 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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Virginia gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds (D) on Monday attacked his opponent's record of pushing to restrict abortion rights, saying that state Rep. Robert McDonnell's (R) long history of introducing antiabortion-rights bills shows that he has the wrong priorities for the state, the Washington Post reports. The Women for Deeds event, which was attended by female activists and policymakers, was the first of three this week where Deeds will discuss McDonnell's legislative history on abortion rights.

Deeds said that McDonnell -- a Roman Catholic who opposes abortion rights in all cases except to save the life of the woman -- has spent a majority of his time in public office "single-mindedly advancing his anti-choice agenda." According to the Post, McDonnell successfully sponsored bills requiring a 24-hour waiting period before an abortion, parental notification for minors seeking the procedure and banning abortions later in pregnancy (Helderman, Washington Post, 8/11). Deeds said that McDonnell "could have spent that time advancing resources" for issues such as public education and job creation. "Instead, he spent all that time working to chip away your right to choose" and "focused on a narrow ideological agenda rather than moving Virginia forward," Deeds said. He added that if he is elected governor, "I will trust you to make your own decisions about your own lives. I believe it is up to a woman, her family, her doctor and her spiritual adviser or whomever she chooses to consult with to make [the] decision" on whether to have an abortion (Abruzzese, Washington Times, 8/11).

Message Marks Shift From Earlier Campaigns

Neither former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner (D) nor current Gov. Tim Kaine (D) "made such an early, high-profile foray" in the topic of abortion rights during his gubernatorial campaign, the Post reports. Deeds' approach could help energize the Democratic base and detract from McDonnell's campaign messages focusing on education, jobs and transportation, according to the Post.

Tucker Martin, McDonnell's spokesperson, said the bills regarding parental consent and abortion later in pregnancy were "overwhelmingly supported by Virginians and their elected representatives." Martin said that Deeds "consistently opposed these measures, putting him way out of the mainstream on this issue" (Washington Times, 8/11). According to the Post, McDonnell said the bills he has advocated for are "common-sense provisions." He added that while he considers himself a "pro-life legislator," he would uphold federal and state laws regarding abortion rights (Washington Post, 8/11).

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