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Saturday, January 28, 2006
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Here's an article from the Rocky Mountain News, written by Kathryn Wittneben is the new executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado, detailing her views on why candidates must express their views on Pro-Choice/Pro-Life issues [January 28, 2006, "Why candidates must let voters know their positions on choice"]. She writes, "The issue of women's reproductive rights and health care has never been more important in Colorado. This November, voters will be electing a new governor and state legislature. If Roe v. Wade is overturned or gutted by the U.S. Supreme Court - which is quite likely - these officials will decide whether Colorado will support a woman's right to make her own reproductive choices or whether the state will revert to its old 1967 criminal abortion statute.
"The increasing politicization makes it extremely difficult for women to make informed decisions about their own reproductive health without government interference. And for the nearly 1 million women in Colorado of childbearing age, this is not a political decision but a life-altering one.
"A woman's right to control her reproductive destiny, like other fundamental rights derived from our Constitution, is not 'just another issue.' Rather it is a fundamental freedom that can no more be set aside, ignored or compromised than other civil rights.
"Voters need to know whether their political candidates support women's reproductive rights and health care. NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado wants to ensure that women have the right to a legal, safe abortion; at the same time we are working to make abortions rare by helping to decrease unintended pregnancies. Our goal is to ensure that abortions are legal, safe and rare. As voters decide who to support in the upcoming elections, it's important to know where candidates stand on these issues."
Category: Denver November 2006 Election
11:09:36 AM 
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Here's a overview of the governor's race from Peter Blake [Rocky Mountain News, January 28, 2006, "Blake: Madden poised to run for governor if Hick takes a pass"]. He writes, "...if the Denver mayor decides to stay put, Madden herself will probably jump in. There's never been a woman governor in Colorado but Madden likes to point out Gail Schoettler came very close - within a mere 8,000 votes - of defeating Bill Owens for the open seat in 1998. Her biggest negative, she concedes, is the fateful "D-Boulder" that follows her name in legislative stories...
"Former Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter has a huge lead over Rep. Gary Lindstrom in the Democratic race so far. But Ritter is anti-abortion and, oddly, has already chosen a fellow Denverite, Barbara O'Brien, as his running mate. O'Brien supports education vouchers, which may appeal to many Republican and unaffiliated voters, but cuts the team's chances for the party nomination. Madden describes herself as a 'social libertarian.' By her definition that means 'government needs to stay out of your life unless you've done something wrong or you're requesting help.' It doesn't include backing vouchers. She described herself as a believer in 'the right to privacy,' which means she's not only pro-choice but fearful of 'homeland security' laws and practices that are used as an excuse to snoop on American citizens. Madden said Lindstrom has told her he'd withdraw if she or Hickenlooper get in, meaning it would remain a two-way Democratic race. House Speaker Andrew Romanoff and Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald have already ruled out the contest. If Hickenlooper gets in the race, Madden would likely run for re-election, since the term-limits law allows her two more years in the House. She said she'd have to move quickly if Hickenlooper says no. She hopes to raise over $1 million in hard dollars for the campaign, but conceded it will be soft money that determines the outcome."
Category: Denver November 2006 Election
11:00:42 AM
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© Copyright 2006 John Orr.
Last update: 2/1/06; 7:37:33 AM.
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