Abortion debate question leaves Va. GOP candidate for governor struggling

[Judi Lynn]

Abortion debate question leaves Va. GOP candidate for governor struggling for answer
By BOB LEWIS
Associated Press Writer
September 14, 2005
McLEAN, Va. -- Gubernatorial candidate Jerry Kilgore declined to provide an answer during a debate grilling about whether he would outlaw abortion if the Supreme Court paved the way for such a law.

Republican Kilgore, a former attorney general, and Democrat Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine clashed in a debate Tuesday. Kilgore, a steadfast abortion foe, was the object of laughter during a painful cross-examination by NBC's Tim Russert, the debate moderator.

Incumbent Gov. Mark R. Warner, a Democrat, is prevented by the state constitution from seeking a second consecutive term. Kilgore and Kaine are locked in a tight race to succeed him.

The host of NBC's "Meet the Press" had explained that a U.S. Supreme Court with new conservatives appointed by President Bush might reverse its 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling legalizing abortion. If that happens and the General Assembly passes a bill outlawing abortion except for cases of rape or incest or to save the mother's life, Russert asked Kilgore, would he sign it into law?
(snip/...)

http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/virginia/dp-virginiagovernor0914sep14,0,1812372.story?coll=dp-headlines-virginia

[ernstbass]

1. Kilgore (GOP) is ahead in the polls currently

but it's tight. Kilgore has some negative ads which are very effective.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. A GOP candidate running negative ads? NEVER!!

:sarcasm:

[ernstbass]

3. I wish Kaine would go negative

[AlCzervik]

4. Watch the video!!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2005/09/13/VI2005091301465.html?referrer=emaillink

[elsiesummers]

8. The video is great! Thanks.

The Dem is so articulate.

The Republican is not ready for Tim Russert.

Disregarding his political positions, the Republican sounds like a dummy. I don't understand this current trend of the Republican party running incompetent people. It's odd. It's like all the idiots are rising to the top of the pack. Even if I disagree with everything Orin Hatch has to say, you can tell he's no fool. It's sort of like the new leadership (the younger rising star types) in the Republican party have been implanted with faulty chips. Maybe it's too much Fox News (I have a Republican friend who can't argue his party's points intelligently because he is unaware of the opposing viewpoints. Maybe Bush has set a precident of stupidity at the top.


Separately, being someone who lived much of my life in VA (parents still there) - Kilgore has a more Southern accent than many (most?) Virginians - he doesn't sound mid-Atlantic to me, more deep South than even Southern VA. His accent doesn't ring true, regionally. I find that surprising.

[LeftyDarthBrodie]

16. I think that regular right wing voters

find politicans who can't speak the language appealing because they feel that the politican is then like them and can't grasp the language they want to be made our "national" language.

Just my guess on this.

[napi21]

9. I'm no Russert fan, but he did GREAT on that debate!!!!!

"That's a hypothetical question!"

That was great control Tim!

[AlCzervik]

10. that was damn good and quick thinking there by Russert.

[blackcatpgh]

12. goddamn!

thanks for the link, that was hilarious! that motherfucker sounded like a robot: "work within the parameters..culture of life...work within the parameters...culture of life...work within the parameters...culture of life...work within the parameters...culture of life...work within the parameters..." he knows his talking points, that's for sure.

[Judi Lynn]

15. Thanks for the video link! He's as dumb as mud. Good grief.

There's NO COMPARISON between the candidates. The only reason in the world anyone would vote for Kilgore is simply because they want to control the entire world through the Republican agenda.

They don't undertand all that control of other people isn't good for anyone.

[shawn703]

5. I don't understand us Virginians

We have a very popular Democratic governor right now (Warner), the GOP candidate comes off as an idiot in the debates, yet it still looks like he could win this election.

[davidinalameda]

6. this is the same state that elected George Allen

and you question your fellow citizens?

:shrug:

[demnan]

7. Good Point

there's no bigger ass in Congress than George Allen. He's in the Santorum category.

[Jacobin]

11. republicans starting to run away from getting what they asked for

it would be funny if it weren't for all the poor women who won't be able to travel to a blue state if the need arises.

[The_Casual_Observer]

13. These rw bastards don't really want to outlaw abortion

They only want talk about/promise to do it.

[MarsThe Cat]

14. I am Pro-Choice, BUT-

I can understand the viewpoint of those abortion foes who believe that a fetus is a human life, and therefore abortion is murder. ( i said that i understand the argument, NOT that i agree with that line of thought)

HOWEVER- I find that "except in cases of rape or incest" to be TOTAL BULLSHIT and ENTIRELY INDEFENSIBLE.

either the fetus is a human life or it isn't- if it IS, then the fact that it was the result of an act of rape or incest has absolutely NO BEARING on the value of that life.

The "Except in cases of rape or incest" people are disgusting cretins- MUCH WORSE, morally speaking, than those who would seek to ban abortions in ALL cases.

[Bridget Burke]

18. Yes, if abortion is murder, there should be no exceptions.

(Not that I think it is.)

Of course, the exceptions would leave loopholes. The cheerleader did NOT have unprotected sex with the quarterback--she was attacked by a pervert who leaped out of the bushes!

[tkmorris]

19. Excellent, and undermentioned, point

Life is life. Of course in practice a Neocon places far less value on the life of a poor inner city child than it does on the child of a wealthy businessman, so the concept that all life is not equal is consistent for them.

Welcome to DU Mars! :hi:

[williesgirl]

17. I live in VA and my attention has been focused on the Gulf Coast

tragedy along with some family illness issues. This has spurred me on to regain my footing since the election is getting close. I'll be making a donation to the Kaine campaign shortly. He does, however, need to get his act together on the important issue of the death penalty. He's been all over the board on that from what I've heard.