Obama Gains Edge in Virginia With Pro-Abortion Stance

Abortion has resurfaced as a fighting word in this year's election campaign -- no more so than in Virginia, where controversy over new abortion restrictions may have backfired against Republican leaders, giving Barack Obama and his Democrats a boost.

Published

8 months ago

Categories

US

Topics

US Politics, Women

People

Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Mitt Romney

Places

United States of America, Virginia

Transcript

SCRIPT: It's the first head-to-head presidential debate as Democratic voters in Virginia watch nervously. Mitt Romney comes out swinging and is the clear winner in the end, but for Chris Delta, that's far from enough to sway her vote. SOUNDBITE 1 Chris Delta (woman), Democratic voter (English, 14 sec): "I can't ever see myself voting for a Republican anytime soon considering abortion and some of the very dark age approaches and positions that the Republicans have." After widespread Republican statehouse victories in 2010, abortion restrictions passed at a record pace nationwide. In Virginia, women must now undergoe an abdominal ultrasound before a first-trimester abortion. New laws also require existing clinics to meet hospital construction standards -- possibly forcing many facilities to make costly renovations, or close down. Virginia may be a Republican-controlled state, but recent polls show Obama leads Romney in the women's vote. SOUNDBITE 2 Jessica Arons (woman), Director, Women's Health and Rights Program, Center for American Progress (English, 18 sec): ''These issues of concern to women are going to be effective in persuading independent voters. Right now, we're seeing that President Obama and Tim Kaine in Virginia both have substantial double digit leads with women over their competitors." But Republican voters say the economy should be the number one concern this election, not abortion rights. SOUNDBITE 3 Cleta Mitchell (woman), President, National Republican Lawyers Association (English, 21 sec): "The Democratic Party thinks that women think only with their reproductive organs, that we have no brains. It's so insulting! And I can't imagine that they think people will vote about contraception when our country is on the verge of a fiscal cliff." In 2008, Obama became the first Democrat to capture Virginia in 44 years - in part thanks to female voters. NATSOUND (Obama) "Hello Virginia!"" Polls show his support among Virginia women has doubled since then, meaning this crucial state could once again swing his way on election day. ------------------ SHOTLIST: FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA, OCTOBER 3, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - VAR of a Democratic debate watch party SOUNDBITE 1 EXCERPT FROM BARACK OBAMA CAMPAIGN VIDEO, UNDATED, SOURCE: OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT CAMPAIGN, EXCERPTING FROM NBC NEWS, TALKING POINTS MEMO AND OTHER NEWS FOOTAGE) **NO RESALE for non-editorial purposes** - shots from campaign ad FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA, APRIL 2, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - various shots of two types of ultrasound probes and ultrasound screen WASHINGTON, ARCHIVAL IMAGES, SOURCE: CBS **RESTRICTIONS** NO RESALE for non editorial purposes No Japan No Free over the air broadcasters in Australia No US cable news outlets, free over the air networks or stations, their websites and their mobile phone services - various shots of anti-abortion protest in front of the US Capitol building FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA, OCTOBER 3, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - VAR of Democratic voters and signs at debate watch party WASHINGTON, OCTOBER 2, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV SOUNDBITE 2 RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, MAY 5, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - Obama at a campaign rally FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA, OCTOBER 5, 2012, SOURCE: US POOL ** NO RESALE for non-editorial purposes** - Tim Kaine at a campaign rally TAMPA, FLORIDA, AUGUST 27, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - VAR cutaways of a Republican meeting - SOUNDBITE 3 RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, MAY 5, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - VAR of an Obama campaign rally with Michelle Obama