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Arkansas Right to Life endorses Hutchinson Wednesday, Aug 30, 2006 Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas' leading anti-abortion group endorsed Republican Asa Hutchinson for governor Tuesday. Arkansas Right to Life said its choice of Hutchinson was in appreciation for his strong stand for protecting unborn children. Hutchinson, a former congressman and Bush administration official, faces Democrat Mike Beebe, the state attorney general and former state senator, in the Nov. 7 general election. "Protecting the sanctity of human life is not a Republican value or a Democrat value; it's an Arkansas value," Hutchinson said in a release that followed the endorsement at a news conference at the Pregnancy Help Center in Fort Smith. "It's important that the next governor respect the views of Arkansans, and be firm in his commitment to defending life." Rose Mimms, the executive director of Arkansas Right to Life, said Beebe failed to respond to her request for a meeting with him and did not answer the group's candidate questionnaire. "He's not been forthcoming on his position. He's all over the place. We know where Asa stands," Mimms said. Beebe campaign spokesman Zac Wright said the Democrat's position on abortion has been firm. He personally opposes abortion, supports efforts to decrease the number of abortions and supports "sensible restrictions" such as ban on partial birth abortions and a law requiring parental notice for minors, Wright said. "The only exceptions he supports are for rape, incest and health of the mother. In those circumstances, he believes it is a decision between a woman, her doctor and God," Wright said. "He does not believe Roe vs. Wade should be overturned." Hutchinson said the landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide should be overturned. Mimms also noted Hutchinson's 100 percent pro-life voting record in Congress and 100 percent score on her organization's questionnaire. Hutchinson also has participated in the group's annual March for Life event several times and has spoken at anti-abortion events, she said. |
