Abortion takes center stage

Sept. 02--While welfare, health care and education were hotly debated Friday night, abortion discussions took center stage at the Nuart Theater in Moscow among CrossPolitic Live hosts and Idaho Republican governor candidates Lt. Gov. Brad Little and Dr. Tommy Ahlquist.

Idaho Republican governor candidate and Congressman Raúl Labrador had a schedule conflict and did not attend.

"What I'm wondering about is what about the 1,400 unborn babies that are murdered in Idaho every single year?" asked Toby Sumpter, pastor of Trinity Reformed Church and one of the three hosts of CrossPolitic, a Christian show and podcast that mixes faith, culture and politics. "Which one of you will tell us tonight that you will do everything in your power to defend them from the feds?"

Ahlquist said he would sign a bill to ban abortion.

"I will support any legislation passed to protect the sanctity of life," Ahlquist said.

Little said he would need to read the bill before making a decision.

A questioner from the audience, state Sen. Dan Foreman, R-Viola, said that according to Idaho law, abortion is murder, but other state code says an individual will not be prosecuted for having a legal abortion.

Foreman asked the two candidates for their point of view on taking the abortion issue to court, even the Supreme Court, if necessary.

Little responded by saying Idaho has done that many times and the new U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch will make a difference. Ahlquist said there is nothing wrong with Idaho taking the lead against abortions and fighting it in the courts, especially with the new Supreme Court justice.

Both candidates discussed problems with welfare.

Little said one of the issues is individuals who use welfare do not have incentives to get off it when they are able.

Sumpter said he offers individuals opportunities to work at his church, but they decline the offer since they have welfare checks sent to them so they do not need to work.

Ahlquist recited a story of one woman who the government assists with housing and food to help her get back on her feet, "but there is no incentive for this young woman to get off right now. That's wrong."

Little said he is the strongest candidate for governor since he has a background in the entire state of Idaho serving as lieutenant governor.

Ahlquist said his record in medicine, business and job creation makes him the right choice.

Idaho has, Ahlquist said, "a great heritage. We got great values, but we are ready for a fresh approach to how we're doing this."

Both candidates were asked which presidential candidate they voted for. Ahlquist said he wrote in Marco Rubio, U.S. senator from Florida. Little said he voted for Donald Trump.

"I can list off 30 things that are way better today than they were a year ago as a result of the change in administration," Little said of Trump.

He said Trump's Twitter use and the attention it receives masks many good things being done that positively impact Idahoans.

Garrett Cabeza can be reached at (208) 883-4631, or by email to [email protected].

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