Deeds supports women’s abortion rights
Creigh Deeds, the Democratic candidate for governor of Virginia, hopes to strengthen his support among women, at least those in Northern Virginia and other more liberal areas of the state, by stressing his support for abortion rights—an issue that presents a stark contrast with his Republican opponent, Bob McDonnell.
At the kick-off Women for Deeds event Aug. 10, Deeds said, “I believe it is up to a woman, her family, her doctor, and her spiritual adviser to make the decision [about whether to have an abortion.] My opponent believes government should make this decision.”
The event, at the Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, drew about 100 Deeds supporters, including former Virginia first lady Linda Robb, Del. Vivian Watts, state Sen. Toddy Puller, Del. Kristen Amundson, and state Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple.
Deeds insists he is in the mainstream on this issue. He says he is a long-time supporter of women’s rights to seek abortions and have access to birth control, while McDonnell sponsored 35 bills to restrict women’s right to choose.
Deeds says he didn’t expect abortion to be a top priority in the campaign and is only addressing it now because McDonnell is making it a campaign topic after both candidates earlier vowed to avoid social issues.
Amundson told the crowd “it’s not just about abortion. It’s about birth control. It’s about denying people factual information” in pharmacies. She blasted McConnell for denying women the right to an abortion even in cases of rape and incest.