Jan 19 Senate Election - Vote at the High School

However you feel about the candidates, please vote!

Quote :

Abortion key issue in US Senate race
BY JIM HAND SUN CHRONICLE STAFFThursday, January 14, 2010 1:48 AM EST


Both sides make appeal to base

When Martha Coakley had a chance to ask Scott Brown a question during their U.S. Senate debate, she did not quiz him on unemployment, health care or the two wars the country is engaged in.

Instead, she pressed him on an anti-abortion amendment he offered to a bill in 2005.

The next day, leaders of women's groups held a news conference criticizing Brown's record on issues involving women. He responded by having his daughters hold a news conference defending him.

Why spend so much time and energy in the closing days of the campaign on an issue that does not appear on the priority list of issues when voters are polled?

Because women make up an important segment of Coakley's base of support and anti-abortion voters are a key to Brown's base, both candidates need to motivate them to vote in Tuesday's special election, political analysts say. "A good deal of her money and a good deal of her support comes from liberal women's groups who are pro-choice. That is part of her base, indeed a good part of her base," said Michael Kryazanek, a professor of political science at Bridgewater State College.

A poll commissioned by The Boston Globe showed Coakley has a 54 to 30 percent lead over Brown among women, but other polls show Brown's supporters are much more motivated to vote.

As part of the get-out-the-vote effort, the Service Employee's International Union has launched an ad campaign criticizing Brown on abortion and other charges.

Conversely, Brown is being heavily supported by Massachusetts Citizens for Life.

In the past, Brown has been a moderate on abortion issues and the group has not always supported him. But now, the group leadership says it can count on Brown to be a solid anti-abortion vote in Congress.

They said they have been providing volunteers to do a lot of phone bank work.

At issue is an amendment Brown offered in the state Senate in 2005.

The amendment would have allowed medical personnel in hospitals with a religious affliation to refuse to administer emergency contraception to rape victims.

The victims would have been referred to another hospital under the amendment, which was soundly rejected by the Senate and drew criticism at the time from both Democrats and Republicans.

During Monday's debate, Coakley pressured Brown on the amendment. He tried to deflect the criticism by saying he was proud to support the larger bill he tried to attach the amendment to. The dualing news conferences came the next day.

"Time and again, Scott Brown has shown that he is willing to compromise for political gain the health and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable women in Massachusetts. And this includes victims of sexual assault," said Andrea Miller of the abortion-rights group, NARAL.

"My dad would always stand up for the rights and needs of rape victims. He's kind, understanding and he's a very compassionate father," daughter Ayla Brown said at her news conference.

Meanwhile, the Globe poll found that voters consider health care, the economy, taxes and providing political balance the top issues in the campaign.

Good catch- updated TY.

Answering machine is off and ignoring those nasty little automated campaign calls until we get this over with...

I do recommend that people check out the January 8th debate;

1/8/10 US Senate Debate

Thanks for the link Dave. You make it easier to stay informed.

My wife and I voted today around 10:00am. The traffic and parking at the high school was out of control. If this is as good as it gets - a single polling place may be convenient for the town workers - but - dangerous for town voters.

I agree, Tom. I have also heard that the current superintendent is not happy with this arrangement.

I went after school and it was pretty busy. The parking near the entrance was all full. Between trying to back out of a tight space in the rain with people walking behind your car, it's a pain. The smart people parked further away, put their hoods up and walked a bit. I will do that next time.

Inside was very orderly.

There was also a surprise H1N1 clinic in the school library today - who knew?