Abortion question divides North Carolina’s U.S. Senate candidates
By Renee Schoof and John Frank, The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The abortion question shows up the stark contrast between incumbent Democrat
Hagan supports abortion rights for women. The leading
The Republican candidates also say the state has the authority to ban contraceptives and favor a "personhood" constitutional amendment that would grant legal protections to a fertilized human egg and possibly ban some forms of birth control.
Democrats see such stances as an opportunity to continue to hammer Republicans with the "war on women" strategy that proved successful for them in the 2012 elections.
"Women, not politicians, should be the ones to make these difficult and complex decisions in consultation with their doctor, their family and their faith," Hagan said in response to questions.
The race, one of several pivotal
"There's a really large number of women in
She said that people were angry about the abortion restrictions and "galvanized in a way they've never been in the state and are paying attention in a way we've never had."
Republicans counter that voters are more concerned about the economy than they are about abortion. The health care law, in particular, "trumps everything," said
Still, the
Motivating voters
Comments offensive to many women have led to prominent stumbles by
This election cycle, Republican House and
"Republicans aren't going to sit back and let Democrats trump up this war on women and let it go unresponded to," said
"But
In July, the legislature passed a law that gives the state the authority to regulate abortion clinics as stringently as same-day surgery centers but doesn't require it. The law also allows health care providers to opt out of performing abortions if doing so is against their beliefs, and stops government insurance plans from paying for them.
And last week, he called for an appeal of a recent federal ruling that struck down a provision requiring doctors to narrate an ultrasound by describing the fetus in detail to a woman seeking an abortion. That state law was passed in 2011.
"I am pro-life, I believe all life is sacred, and I am proud that we have made real progress on this issue since I am speaker," Tillis wrote in an email. "The country is moving in our direction on this issue."
Brannon, Harris and
At an event in November, Brannon put abortion in a moral context and compared it to the end of slavery. "I believe in my heart of hearts what our country went through because people had different color pigment versus the babies in the womb is the same exact battle," he said.
At a
In subsequent interviews, the candidates said even if
"We'd be eager for them to run against birth control, because it would be completely out of line with our state," said Planned Parenthood's Johnson.
Hagan's record
Hagan's voting record makes her views on abortion clear.
She voted against an unsuccessful amendment in 2012 by Sen.
The
The new health care law allows religious organizations to opt out of covering contraceptives.
Hagan said that states should not be allowed to ban contraceptives, "just as they should not be allowed to ban any other safe, approved medication."
She also opposed a bill by Sen.
Tillis and Harris have said through spokesmen that they would have supported the bill. Brannon has said he supports any legislation that would end abortion.
Hagan has also opposed efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, noting that the organization provides preventive care for both women and men.
"Women's health should never be a political football," she said. "We need to be focused on creating jobs and getting our economy back on track, not legislating women's access to care."
Hagan's support
Hagan's top contributor in her
Abortion receives no mention on Hagan's campaign website, under "women's issues." It cites her support of equal pay, reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, and "measures that increase women's access to preventive care, and stopped insurance companies from charging women more than they charge men."
The last part is a reference to the new federal health law, although the website doesn't mention it by name. Hagan's support for the Affordable Care Act sent her poll numbers tumbling.
Risky issue
In a September
In a midterm election, even a small increase in turnout can be important in a close race, said
But the issue carries risks for both sides.
"Any strategy by Republicans or Democrats to use abortion to rally the troops could always backfire and rally more opposition troops," Fernandez said.
Schoof: 202-383-6004
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