Virginia governor no longer fully supports ultrasounds before abortions

[RandySF]

RICHMOND — Gov. Robert F. McDonnell is backing off his unconditional support for a bill requiring women to have an ultrasound before an abortion, focusing new attention on one of the most controversial pieces of legislation in Virginia’s General Assembly this year.

Until this weekend, McDonnell (R) and his aides had said the governor would sign the measure if it made it to his desk. McDonnell, who strongly opposes abortion, will no longer make that commitment.

But delegates and governor’s staff were scheduled to meet Tuesday night to strike a compromise after learning that some ultrasounds could be more invasive than first thought, according to two officials who were aware of the meeting but not authorized to speak about it publicly. Many of the bill’s supporters were apparently unaware of how invasive the procedure could be, one of the officials added.

The Virginia legislation has become part of the broader national debate over reproductive rights and has drawn attention to McDonnell, a rising star in his party and a possible vice presidential contender. The legislation has been the topic of cable news shows, was part of a “Saturday Night Live” sketch and drew protesters to Richmond on Monday.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/virginia-governor-no-longer-fully-supports-ultrasounds-before-abortions/2012/02/21/gIQARIxBSR_story.html?wprss=rss_politics

[Warren DeMontague]

1. For all the shit about the vaunted power of the "values voter", when the Pro-Choice MAJORITY in this

country is roused to action, believe me, people take notice.

[DearAbby]

2. RETREAT!

I wonder how his prospects to be VP for Pope Pious Santorum I is now?

[Ship of Fools]

3. I hope he is made to own this for the rest of his political AND personal life.

"...how invasive the procedure could be"? What part of trans-vaginal ultrasound
do they not understand? Oh, I get it -- a lame attempt at saving face.

Screw these jokers and the money they rode in on. I'm going back to bed. Wake me when
this nightmare is over.

[pepperbear]

4. those who "weren't aware of how invasive the procedure could be" might have asked a woman...

But wait, what would they know?

[Scootaloo]

5. Don't let them crawl back under the rocks

Drag them out and stomp the shit out of them.

[CTyankee]

9. My sentiments entirely!

I wanna see these guys twist slowly, slowly in the wind...

[malaise]

12. +1,000

Let them own it

[tsuki]

6. McDonnell wants to be the GOP VP. He does not care how

invasive Rape by Instrument is.

[Surya Gayatri]

7. Huumm, getting a little blowback, is he?

His own wife may have thrown some of the china at him, or maybe, à la Lysistrata, she went on strike in the conjugal bedroom. SG

[Happyhippychick]

8. How about I shove an ultrasound wand up your butt and then you can decide how invasive it is?

Or, as another poster before me so eloquently stated, ASK A WOMAN.

[CTyankee]

10. I love this thread!

[HopeHoops]

11. Well, I am just SO shocked.

[Bandit]

13. So he doesn't sign it, it still goes into effect unless he vetoes it.

It just goes into effect without his signature...It certainly does not stop the bill from becoming Law. I believe even if he were to veto it there are enough Republicans in both houses to override his veto..The ONLY advantage for him is when running for VP he can say he did not sign that bill..He is on record for supporting such a bill though so he can wink and grin his way through it..

[malaise]

14. It hasn't passed yet n/t

[Bandit]

16. I heard on Rachel last night it had passed both Houses and was on his desk.

[Demonaut]

18. yup, I think he was watching her show..or someone on his staff was

[Javaman]

15. See what happens when you put a giant spot light on their stupidity?

good things happen.

[Retrograde]

17. Translation: VA governor wants to be Romney's veep

and is not going to let a little thing like ethical consistency get in the way.