Ken Buck: Opponents rally rape and incest survivors to decry his abortion policy
Abortion is seldom a major debating point in campaigns these days -- not because it's deemed an unimportant issue, but because most people already have made up their minds on the subject.
Ken Buck.
It's an interesting twist, then, that the Campaign for a Strong Colorado, which opposes Republican senate nominee Ken Buck, is putting the topic front and center at news conferences today featuring survivors of rape and incest.
The reason, says campaign executive director Ellen Dumm, is Buck's opposition to abortion even for rape and incest victims.
"I've never in all the time I've been involved in politics -- which is longer than I care to admit -- seen a viable statewide candidate who ran and said they were against abortion even in the case of rape and incest," Dumm maintains. "Ken Buck is the first I've heard of. There may have been some fringe candidates who felt that way, but I've never heard a candidate say that in public and get elected."
Dumm also mentions Buck's past support for Amendment 62, the "personhood measure," which would apply personhood status from the first spark of life.
A graphic from the Personhood USA website.
"It's interesting that these extreme groups are back in Colorado, because we defeated virtually this same amendment, 73 percent to 27 percent, two years ago, and Colorado has been a pro-choice state since the '70s," Dumm points out. "I think people in Colorado understand that government doesn't belong in these personal decisions and that decisions and choices should be made by families."
Buck initially backed Amendment 62. In recent days, however, a Buck campaign spokesman said the candidate would now vote against the measure -- a shift that Dumm views with maximum cynicism.
"My question is, if he didn't understand what it meant, why did he tell everyone he was for it in the primary?" she asks. "It's the same amendment we voted on two years ago. It's not like it just popped up again. I don't think he's stupid; he went to Princeton. So my sense is, he's either not paying attention, or he's lying -- and I don't think Colorado women can trust him."
Dumm hopes to reinforce this message via events in Denver and Colorado Springs today featuring Emilie Ailts, a onetime victim of date rape, and Ginger Smith, an incest survivor. Page down to get the details.
Write Comment
Email to Friend
Print Article
