Friday, November 18, 2005

Blouin vows he won't support abortion restrictions

Blouin vows he won't support abortion restrictions

I'm wary. But if this holds true this is the biggest news of the campaign and the whole ball game changes.

Mike Glover reports:

Mike Blouin, known for his anti-abortion views, told The Associated Press that if he is elected, he will not support any new restrictions on abortion.

"Regardless of the U.S. Supreme Court's future actions regarding Roe v. Wade, I would not sign any legislation to further restrict or expand access to abortion in Iowa," said Blouin, the state's former economic development director and a former congressman from eastern Iowa.


That statement sounts drafted, vetted, and stamped. Continuing:

While Blouin said his beliefs are "at the very heart of who I am as a person, I also understand that our laws must be acceptable to and enforceable within society."

Among the five current Democrats seeking their party's gubernatorial nomination, Blouin was the only one to hold anti-abortion views. The others are pro-choice, though they have in the past supported minor restrictions.


Still not great; I don't like that "or expand" line, and I'd prefer to see the word VETO in there somewhere. But Glover's smart enough to know a good lead, and he quotes this initial react:

Judy Rutledge, of Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa, found Blouin's position interesting: "It might help some with the issue. I've never heard him make that statement before."

Rutledge said the shift likely came under pressure.

"We are glad to see him changing his mind," she said. "He must be feeling the pressure from pro-choice Democrats."


Now let's hear a similar "clarification" from Chet Culver on capital punishment...

No comments: