Abortion, an issue used to rally political activists during the primaries but one that rarely presents a high profile during a general election campaign, has suddenly become the focus of a very public and personal spat in California's contest for governor.
Democratic nominee Gray Davis pushed the issue to the forefront when he began airing a statewide television ad touting his pro-choice stance--the first time in memory that a single-issue pitch has been made on the sensitive and polarizing subject.
Republican nominee Dan Lungren, smarting at what he considers a misrepresentation of his record in the Davis ad, responded over the weekend with an abortion ad of his own, even as he blamed Davis and reporters for stirring up the issue.
In his ad, Lungren accuses Davis of making a "personal" attack when Davis noted accurately--in his ad--that Lungren in Congress sponsored legislation that would have outlawed abortion even in cases of rape and incest.
Asked Sunday to explain what part of Davis' ad comprised a personal attack, Lungren refused.
"My ad stands for itself," the attorney general said.
Asked again to explain the reference, he retorted: "You can figure it out. I say it in there, and that's what I've said. My statement stands."
Lungren's campaign manager, David Puglia, said later that by bringing up the congressional vote, Davis was implying that Lungren does not now support allowing exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother.
"Gray Davis needed to be called on his misrepresentation of Dan Lungren's beliefs," Puglia said, a characterization sharply disputed by Davis' campaign.
The sudden focus on abortion reflects two simultaneous, if colliding, strategies in the governor's race: Each candidate believes that, in whole or in part, the abortion issue can be helpful to his chances of election. Davis, to guarantee his victory, needs the votes of young women, who are the most vociferous supporters of abortion rights but are not always the most dependable voters. Lungren has cast the issue as one in which strong personal beliefs and character come to the fore--a recurring theme in his campaign.
And the focus this year also underscores that abortion has not been a hot November issue for years, because the gubernatorial candidates were like-minded.
