Virginia’s Planned Parenthood chapter announced its support of Democrat Creigh Deeds in the governor’s race while blasting his Republican opponent, Bob McDonnell, a chancy endorsement in a race in which both candidates are running to the political middle.
The reproductive health organization, which is the nation’s leading provider of abortions, cited in the endorsement the rural state senator’s “consistent voting record in favor of protecting reproductive choice, access to emergency contraception and women’s health.”
While par for the course for a Democratic candidate, Planned Parenthood’s backing is especially delicate for Deeds, who has cultivated a reputation as a moderate, even conservative Democratic legislator. The Republican will use the endorsement to paint Deeds instead as a liberal.
Deeds received the endorsement of abortion-rights group NARAL in the 2005 attorney general’s race, in which he narrowly lost to McDonnell. The group conspicuously did not endorse Tim Kaine, who went on to win the governor’s mansion.
Now, in the rematch of the attorney general’s race, Planned Parenthood painted McDonnell as an anti-abortion hard-liner.
“McDonnell is opposed to reproductive choice, even in cases of rape or incest, voted to allow pharmacists to refuse the morning-after pill and supports Bush-era abstinence-only policies that are proven to fail,” the group said.
McDonnell communications director Tucker Martin said he was disappointed in “the divisive and harsh rhetoric used by this group.”
“Bob’s [Catholic] faith teaches him that innocent life is sacred,” Martin said. “He is pro-life. He also agrees with President [Barack] Obama that discussion of this emotional and complicated issue should be marked by civility and respect.”
