Planned Parenthood today called on Poochigian to own up to his long-held anti-choice position. Kathy Kneer, President of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California said: “Poochigian needs to acknowledge his extreme anti-choice position. He has received campaign contributions from the California Pro-Life Council and he has supported their positions 100%. Poochigian has been a consistent opponent of a woman's right to choose and would ban all abortion tomorrow if he could. He has repeatedly and consistently voted against pro-choice bills including the Reproductive Privacy Act and bills supporting Roe v. Wade. That's really out of the mainstream."
Jerry Brown's campaign also called upon Poochigian to explain why he earns 100% approval ratings and endorsements from the California Pro-life Council and other right-to-life groups. In contrast, Bruce McPherson earned 10% and Governor Schwarzenegger scored 20%. Not only has Poochigian been endorsed by these extreme anti-choice groups, but he has also received multiple campaign contributions from the California Pro-Life Council.
Brown campaign consultant Ace Smith said: "Chuck Poochigian needs to start telling the truth about why he has such overwhelming approval from pro-life groups. There is no doubt that he has received a 100% approval rating from the California Pro-Life Council and he has taken their contributions. It is strange that Poochigian waited months to respond to clear references showing that he filled out the Pro-Life Council’s questionnaire 100%. With all the past support he has received from anti-choice groups, it is clear that he has toed the line 100%.”
It is further misleading that the Poochigian campaign references a “website questionnaire.” The questionnaire is not web based. It is paper and it was sent to all campaigns. His attempts to cover his tracks are the worst form of political deception.
Chuck Poochigian is radically “anti-choice.” He has received multiple campaign contributions from the California Pro-Life Council, an extreme group dedicated to overturning Roe v. Wade. In 2002, Poochigian voted against the Reproductive Privacy Act to maintain abortion rights in California even if the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Poochigian votes “No” whenever the California Legislature implores Congress and the President to preserve Roe v. Wade (SJR 3, AJR 2, AJR 57) Poochigian received an “anti-choice” rating from the California Abortion Rights Action League for his voting record during the 2002-2003 legislative session. Poochigian supported the interest of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California less than 11% of the time between 1999 and 2005.
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