2016 Vice Presidential prospects: on Abortion

Tom Vilsack: Informed consent is government telling women what to do

Tom Vilsack: Vetoed requiring info about abortion risks and alternatives

He also ridiculed a bill that would protect pregnant women and their unborn children--such as Laci Peterson and her son Conner--from acts of violence. It would have allowed two charges for two deaths such as the charges Scott Peterson faced in that case. "I'm not quite sure why we're doing this other than this is the political season and it's time for political bills," Vilsack said. House lawmakers voted 63-36 in favor of the bill, while members of the state Senate backed it on a 33-19 vote.

Tom Vilsack: Personal choice includes taxpayer funding

Vilsack appeared to back the abortion funding. "We should not be in a position to interfere in that very difficult and personal choice, and the relationship between a woman and her doctor," he said. "If that's what this legislation does, obviously, I'm going to have deep concerns about that."

Vilsack has raised money to promote abortion and was one of four governors to lend his name to a NARAL fundraising letter opposing President Bush because of his pro-life position.