March 24, 2014 09:12 AM UTC

Not a "lie" for Udall to claim Gardner opposes abortion for rape

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• by: Jason Salzman

(Let's be crystal clear – promoted by Colorado Pols)

The Denver Post reported Friday that senatorial candidate Cory Gardner accused the Udall campaign of lying when Udall claimed Gardner opposes abortion, even in the cases of rape and incest. The Post's Lynn Bartels reported Friday:

Gardner said he stepped forward because Udall and his allies have spent the last three weeks "distorting my record." Among the "lies," he said: claiming that he opposes abortion even in cases of rape or incest. "Mark Udall wants to run a social issues campaign. He definitely wants to run as the social issues candidate," Gardner said.

Bartels should have stated, specifically, that it was not a lie for Udall to point out that Gardner opposes abortion, even in the cases of rape and incest. That's been Gardner's position–even when asked about it outside of the context of the personhood amendment. Bob Moore of the Ft. Collins Coloradoan reported Sept. 26, 2010:

"I've been very up-front on it; I am pro-life," Gardner, a state representative from Yuma, said in an interview with the Coloradoan. When asked if he would allow exceptions for victims of rape or incest, or when the mother's life is in danger, Gardner said, "I'm pro-life, and I believe abortion is wrong."

Reporters should ask Gardner if he's had a change of heart not just about the personhood amendment, which would ban abortion for rape, but about his opposition specifically to abortion-in-the-cases-of-rape-and-incest. Gardner told The Post that his flip on personhood was based on its restriction on forms of contraception, but he has yet to explain if he's also reversed himself, specifically, on opposing abortion-for-rape-and-incest, and, if so, why.