The National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League has launched a television-ad campaign to expose the anti-abortion views of Republican presidential hopefuls Elizabeth Dole and Texas Gov. George W. Bush.
The ads began airing this week in New Hampshire and Iowa and will be presented to a news conference in Washington, D.C. today. New Hampshire and Iowa were chosen as target areas because those states will host the first primary and the first presidential caucuses, respectively. NARAL President Kate Michelman has said that the ads will show the candidates’ opposition to abortion rights by using actual statements that they have made.
Dole is known to oppose abortion rights but has declined to discuss her position since entering the presidential race. Bush has stated that he eventually wants to outlaw abortion, but will instead fight for gradual, incremental restrictions to abortion because Americans’ “hearts are not right” and because “America isn’t ready” to outlaw abortion. Bush does support bans on late-term abortions and parental consent requirements.
Michelman accused both candidates of hiding their anti-abortion views to gain political power. “George W. Bush opposes a woman’s right to choose. Elizabeth Dole opposes a woman’s right to choose. But they both know they must communicate more moderate views in order to be elected.”
