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CLEAR Temp: 52 °F Wind: S at 5 mph Thursday, April 10, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend March 29, 2003 Abortion bill said to reveal true colors Rep. Dennis Richardson says, however, it is not true that the bill is a tool to ferret out nonsupporters By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune A bill that cleared the House this week is nothing more than a litmus test to reveal Republicans who support abortion rights, say two legislative veterans. Democratic Rep. Alan Bates of Ashland said the anti-abortion movement has used similar bills to target legislators who don’t tow the line. "There are three Republicans who didn’t make the right decision on choice and they’re all gone," said Bates, who voted against the bill. Republican Cherryl Walker, a former legislator from Murphy, said she lost in the primary because of her opposition to a similar abortion bill. "This legislation is nothing other than a way to determine who they might want to target in the next race," said Walker. House Bill 2547, which passed 34-22 on a straight party-line vote, would mandate that doctors explain to women the potential complications of an abortion, and then require a 24-hour waiting period before the procedure take place. Republican Rep. Dennis Richardson of Central Point, who won the primary against Walker, said the suggestion that the bill is merely a tool to ferret out Republicans who don’t support anti- abortion issues is not true. "Fifteen other states have this waiting period," said Richardson, who pointed out the bill doesn’t prevent abortion. "The 24-hour period gives them (women) a chance to reflect and get more information." Bates predicts the bill will die in the Senate, and Gov. Ted Kulongoski already has indicated he will veto any bills that restrict or delay access to abortion. With the bill likely to fail, Bates said the only rationale for bringing it up for a vote is to reveal how Republicans stand on the issue. Bates, a Jackson County doctor, condemned the bill before the House Thursday, saying there is already intense counseling involved before an abortion. "There is plenty of informed consent in the state for all procedures," he said. A decision to receive an abortion, he said, is a difficult one that should be done by a woman, her physician and her God. "It is not the business of the government to get involved," he said. Walker said a similar bill was brought forward in the last legislative session and was defeated with the help of her vote. "They (anti-abortion advocates) told me in session two years ago that they would get rid of me and find a candidate, and they did," she said. "I know that’s why I am not in office. They said they are going to target me and they did." And contrary to what the anti-abortion camp claims, Walker, who calls herself a moderate Republican, said she always has been supportive of abortion rights. "These bills are just being used as a litmus test," she said. Richardson said the issue of abortion instantly polarizes people and makes them blind to the potential benefits of a bill like HB2547. "There is too much heat and not enough light when talk of abortion comes up," he said. Even though Richardson takes a right to life stance, he said he does see instances in which abortion might be appropriate, particularly in cases of rape, incest or when a woman’s life is in danger. He also supports voters’ decisions in favor of assisted suicide and opposes any attempts by the federal government to usurp the will of Oregonians. While Richardson doesn’t believe the anti-abortion camp is using the bill as a litmus test, he did say the contributions made by Right to Life helped his campaign. "They will not support somebody that’s against them — that’s against life," he said. "They supported me to the extent that they were angry at Cherryl Walker." Republican Sen. Lenn Hannon of Ashland, who has voted for similar abortion bills in the past, said he’s not sure how this one will fare in the Senate. "If an issue is going to be divisive, it probably won’t receive adequate attention," he said. "The Right to Life comes in with a bill like this each session." Hannon said he didn’t know if the anti-abortion movement uses these bills to target Republicans. However, he said, "I know Cherryl’s situation was certainly impacted by Right to Life." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S