Terry McAuliffe Dodges Reporter’s Question After False Abortion Claim

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Sep 19, 2013   |   5:29PM   |   Richmond, VA

Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe was caught dodging a reporter’s question after inventing a false power he claimed he would have as governor to keep unlawful abortion clinics open.

As one blog noted today:

With recent news that Terry McAuliffe has no idea the power of the governor’s office when it comes to regulating women’s clinics, it is no wonder that when McAuliffe was asked about abortion regulations in Virginia, he responded, “It is a beautiful day out today.”

The Washington Times has more information on the false claims:

Democrat Terry McAuliffe is telling supporters that as Virginia governor he would issue a “guidance opinion” that would exempt existing abortion clinics from complying with strict new health and safety standards. The only problem: State officials say there is no such thing as a guidance opinion and that governors have no such formal authority.

Mr. McAuliffe said last week that he plans to take the action to keep 18 remaining centers open after abortion clinics in Fairfax City and Hampton Roads announced that they would shut their doors as a result of the standards.

He said that just one of the centers that remains open meets the requirements and they all would close if he doesn’t act.

“But I will issue what’s called a guidance opinion by mid-March,” he said in a video captured and distributed by Women Speak Out Virginia, an affiliated political action committee of the national Susan B. Anthony List. “I can give a guidance opinion to the Board of Health to grandfather in those remaining clinics to keep them open. That’s why this election is so important, and I will do that.”