I was wondering about that myself

From the Miami Herald, Aug. 28

Castor stand on abortion derided

By Beth Reinhard

U.S. Senate candidate Betty Castor's support for some abortion restrictions prompted a few activists and elected officials Friday to question her endorsement by Emily's List, a fundraising group for pro-choice candidates.

Most who voiced concerns are allies of Castor's opponent, Peter Deutsch.

During a debate Thursday, Castor said she opposed a late-term procedure that critics call ''partial-birth'' abortion -- unless a woman's health is in danger. She also said she supports laws requiring minors seeking abortions to notify their parents unless they are rape or incest victims.

Abortion rights activist Marge Head said she would not vote for Castor. ''I feel like I have been hoodwinked,'' she said.

State Sen. Debbie Wasserman Schultz -- whose congressional bid received an Emily's List endorsement -- also questioned the group's backing of Castor. Wasserman Schultz, Deutsch's former legislative aide, said: ``My impression was that you had to be pro-choice without restrictions.''

Not true, said Joe Solmonese, chief executive officer of Emily's List. The organization is comfortable with the restrictions that Castor supports. ''Betty Castor supports the fundamental of Roe v. Wade,'' he said.

It's reassuring that while right-wing fanatics work ceaselessly to chip away, restriction by restriction, at the right to choose, Betty's got a grasp of the fundamentals.