Virginia has taken a shellacking over the past week as attention shifted to the General Assembly’s effort to pass several anti-abortion bills. One, called the Personhood Bill, would define life beginning at conception. The other, known as the ultrasound bill, would required women who want to get an abortion to first get a transvaginal ultrasound.
Proponents say the ultrasound will determine gestational age and perhaps prevent some abortions. Opponents, who grew louder and louder over the past few days, said the procedure was way too invasive, as it involves inserting an 8 inch probe into the woman.
This has led to great debate on the cable news networks, protests in Richmond, and ridicule on Saturday Night Live and Comedy Central.
But, perhaps most striking is a poll from our Richmond newsroom, the Times Dispatch, and Christopher Newport University, which showed that Virginians opposed the ultrasound bill 55% to 36%.
Until recently, Gov. Bob McDonnell had expressed support for the “concept” of the bill. But, today he did an about face, issuing a statement that he could only support the measure with significant amendments. The House of Delegates listened and quickly amended the bill to make the vaginal ultrasound optional, not mandatory.
McDonnell hasn’t yet taken a stand on the Personhood Bill, however Virginians have. In the same poll, they opposed that measure 52% to 41%.
I wonder how those polls results will impact the chances of this bill becoming law.
Posted by Jay Warren at 10:32 PM. Filed under: main •
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