Iowa Pro-Life Group Backs Gov Candidate Nussle After Abortion Clarification

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Sep 7, 2006   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Iowa Pro-Life Group Backs Gov Candidate Nussle After Abortion Clarification Email this article
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
September 7
, 2006

Des Moines, IA (LifeNews.com) — After a few days of confusion where Republican candidate Jim Nussle stands on the issue of abortion, the congressman has clarified his position on abortion and indicated he is firmly pro-life. That prompted the state’s pro-life organization to give Nussle its endorsement in the November election.

Nussle had come under question in recent days after a candidate survey made it appear he had a different position on abortion than what people had long understood.

On Thursday, Nussle cleared up the matter saying he backed a ban on abortions in all cases unless necessary in extremely rare cases to save the life of the mother.

Nussle said a survey question he answered previously was an attempt to show that he would also be happy if the state legislature made some abortions illegal on its way to prohibiting virtually all of them.

Democratic rival Chet Culver attacked Nussle, claiming the congressman had flip-flopped on the issue, but Iowa Right to Life endorsed the gubernatorial candidate saying he’s been pro-life all along.

In a statement Iowa Right to Life provided LifeNews.com, executive director Kim Lehman said Nussle answered the group’s survey 100 percent pro-life — including a question on signing an abortion ban in Iowa if Roe v. Wade is overturned.

"Our question was point blank to include the first trimester," Lehman said.

"We commend Congressman Nussle for his long-standing pro-life record. Without hesitation, the Iowa Right to Life Committee State PAC endorses Congressman Nussle for Governor," Lehman added.

"We believe the survey fiasco is an example of why many candidates refuse to fill out surveys," Lehman explained.

"Unlike Chet Culver, Jim Nussle continues to try to serve all organizations by filling them out," she told LifeNews.com. "Clearly, mistakes can happen and it is very surprising that after so many years of service and consistency for the right to life, the press and the public could so quickly cast stones."

Lehman said pro-life voters should not be confused about the candidate they should support. She noted Culver’s candidacy has the backing of Planned Parenthood but Jim Nussle has a long-standing pro-life voting record and would sign pro-life legislation into law as the state’s governor.

Related web sites:
Iowa Right to Life – https://www.irlc.org