Washington Senate Debate: on Abortion

Joni Ernst: Affordable access to contraception

Ernst responded that the amendment Braley referenced "would not do any of the things that he stated it would do. That amendment is simply a statement that I support life."

"I always stand with our women on affordable access to contraception," added Ernst, who stood on a seven-inch riser to put her at eye level with her opponent. "That's something that Congressman Braley has been trying to mislead our women voters on. I do believe in a woman's right to contraception."

Joni Ernst: Personhood amendment is a statement of pro-life principle

Ernst defended her support for a Personhood amendment to the Iowa Constitution. Braley attacked Ernst for supporting the measure in the state legislature, which he said would allow doctors to be prosecuted for terminating pregnancies. That amendment is simply a statement that I support life." She added that she supports "a woman's right to contraception."

Michael Baumgartner: Life begins at conception; no exceptions except pragmatism

Our question for Baumgartner, who told us today that Akin's statement was "inexcusable and stupid and ignorant"--was this: How was his position different than Akin's?

"I have empathy for the victims of rape. Rape is a tragedy. It's a terrible thing. Certainly, we need to give victims all the help we can. There is no place in politics for uttering something so ignorant about pregnancy and rape."

As for Baumgartner's own position: ""I am still a Catholic. I still believe life begins at conception. That is consistent with my Catholic beliefs. And I believe we must protect life."

He concluded: "The culture wars are not why I'm in the state senate or running against my opponent. I'm pragmatic. I objected to the expansion of abortion services, but I voted for two budgets that funded [family planning] services."

Christopher Reed: Very pro-life; no abortion under any circumstances

A: I am very pro-life.

Q: And what does very pro-life mean?

A: I do not agree with abortion.

Q: Under any circumstances?

A: Under any circumstances, life is a gift from God under any circumstances it’s granted.

George Nethercutt: Support embryonic stem-cell research with restriction

MURRAY: Embryonic stem-cell research is an extremely important area of research that provides hope to thousands of families with Parkinson’s disease, with multiple sclerosis, that scientists tell us holds tremendous potential. But they tell us that the policies that are in place today are prohibiting them from moving forward. This is another area where what Nethercutt says here is different than what he does in Washington DC. Unless he’s changed his position, in 1996, when he had the opportunity to vote for expanding stem-cell research, both in committee and on the floor of the Congress, he voted no.

Patty Murray: Nethercutt’s voted against expanding stem-cell research

MURRAY: Embryonic stem-cell research is an extremely important area of research that provides hope to thousands of families with Parkinson’s disease, with multiple sclerosis, that scientists tell us holds tremendous potential. But they tell us that the policies that are in place today are prohibiting them from moving forward. This is another area where what Nethercutt says here is different than what he does in Washington DC. Unless he’s changed his position, in 1996, when he had the opportunity to vote for expanding stem-cell research, both in committee and on the floor of the Congress, he voted no.