AP/Louisville Courier-Journal Examines Abortion-Rights Views Of Kentucky Gubernatorial Candidates

The AP/Louisville Courier-Journal on Monday examined the abortion views of Kentucky gubernatorial candidates Steve Beshear (D) and Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R). Fletcher, who opposes abortion rights, has said that abortions should be illegal except in cases of rape, incest or when the pregnancy endangers the life of the pregnant woman. "I caution everyone to think about the innocent life involved regardless of the situation," Fletcher said, adding, "The real premise is I believe in the sanctity of life."

Beshear, who supports abortion rights, opposes the procedure after the first trimester but has said decisions about abortions should be left to families, not the government, the AP/Courier-Journal reports. "As governor, I'm going to do everything I can to limit and reduce the number of abortions while respecting the law of the land," he said, adding, "What I want to do as governor is to take steps that will reduce and limit the number of abortions by addressing the main causes that women get abortions," he said.

Beshear said many women who undergo abortions are those without good jobs, who feel like they would not be able to support children or even pay the medical costs of delivering infants. He said the solution is to provide more job security and better health care for women. "That in and of itself will do more to reduce the number of abortions in this state," he said, adding, "That will help make abortion a last choice for somebody instead of a first choice."

Fletcher has said that Beshear is attempting to conceal his abortion-rights position. According to the AP/Courier-Journal, two polls released over the past week show Beshear leading Fletcher by double digits (Alford, AP/Louisville Courier-Journal, 9/24).

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