Shannon O'Brien on Abortion

Former State Treasurer; Democratic Challenger MA Governor

History of protecting women's right to choose

O'Brien, as a state legislator, had a strong pro-choice voting record in both the House and Senate. She voted to protect the accessibility of abortion services for all women; helped ensure passage of the Clinic Access Bill; supported efforts to create buffer zones around abortion clinics; and co-sponsored legislation to create funding for abortion counseling for victims of rape and incest. Source: Campaign website, www.ObrienGabrieli.com "Choice/Abortion" Sep 17, 2002

Changed her mind on abortion in 1990s

O'Brien defended changing her stance on abortion while she was a state lawmaker in the 1980s, when she opposed the practice except in cases of rape, incest or danger to a woman's health. She said voters could trust she would not change again because she had a "decade-long record in support of a woman's right to choose."

O'Brien said she changed her mind about abortion after listening to other women. "I determined that health included a woman's being able to control her own body," she said.

Source: Kevin Rothstein, The Patriot Ledger Apr 2, 2002

Will continue strong record of support for choice

Shannon supports a woman's right to choose, and as a state legislator, had a strong pro-choice voting record for eight years in the House and Senate. Shannon voted to protect the accessibility of abortion services for all women; helped ensure passage of the Clinic Access Bill; supported efforts to create buffer zones around abortion clinics; and co -sponsored legislation to create funding for abortion counseling for victims of rape and incest. Source: Campaign web site, ShannonObrien.com, "Issue Briefs" Feb 16, 2002

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*Other governors on Abortion:*		*Shannon O'Brien on other issues:*
AK Frank Murkowski AL Bob Riley AR Mike Huckabee AZ Janet Napolitano CA Arnold Schwarzenegger CO Bill Owens CT Jodi Rell DE Ruth Ann Minner FL Jeb Bush GA Sonny Perdue HI Linda Lingle IA Tom Vilsack ID Dirk Kempthorne IL Rod Blagojevich IN Mitch Daniels KS Kathleen Sebelius KY Ernie Fletcher LA Kathleen Blanco MA Mitt Romney MD Bob Ehrlich ME John Baldacci MI Jennifer Granholm MN Tim Pawlenty MO Matt Blunt MS Haley Barbour	MT Brian Schweitzer NC Mike Easley ND John Hoeven NE Dave Heineman NH John Lynch NJ Jon Corzine NM Bill Richardson NV Kenny Guinn NY George Pataki OH Bob Taft OK Brad Henry OR Ted Kulongoski PA Ed Rendell RI Don Carcieri SC Mark Sanford SD Mike Rounds TN Phil Bredesen TX Rick Perry UT Jon Huntsman VA Tim Kaine VT Jim Douglas WA Christine Gregoire WI Jim Doyle WV Joe Manchin III WY Dave Freudenthal	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty