NARAL campaigns for morning-after pill

A state pro-choice group is fighting for the morning-after pill.

NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina is targeting three pharmacies in Forsyth, Mecklenburg and New Hanover counties that do not stock emergency contraception.

The pill, a heavy dose of hormones, can prevent pregnancy when taken within 72 hours of intercourse.

Some pro-life groups oppose the drug, arguing it is a form of abortion. According to a survey by NARAL, 20 percent of hospitals and 40 percent of pharmacies in North Carolina do not provide the pill.

"We find that kind of outrageous," said Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, at a fundraiser in Raleigh's Oakwood neighborhood today.

The group is targeting pharmacies at Harris Teeter grocery stores, which are supposed to stock the pill under corporate policy, according to NARAL organizers. Its campaign includes sending letters to pro-choice women who live near the pharmacies.

Among 60 guests at the fundraiser were Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, Schools Superintendent June Atkinson, state Sen. Janet Cowell and Reps. Grier Martin and Deborah Ross.

NARAL may help bid against Dole

A national pro-choice group may get involved in next year's U.S. Senate race in North Carolina.

Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said today that the group may donate money and run ads against Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole if her Democratic opponent has strong pro-choice credentials, reports Ryan Teague Beckwith.

"We might get into that race, once we know who the person is who's running against her," said Keenan, who was in Raleigh's Oakwood neighborhood for a fundraiser.

State Sen. Kay Hagan of Greensboro and State Rep. Grier Martin of Raleigh, two Democrats considering the race, both have ties to NARAL's North Carolina chapter.

"We would be thrilled with either candidate," said state director Melissa Reed.

Read more after the jump.

NARAL chief to drop in

Nancy Keenan has pretty good timing.

With a debate raging in the Democratic gubernatorial primary over who is most pro-choice, the timing of the visit of the national NARAL chief couldn't be better, Rob Christensen reports.

Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, will be in North Carolina next week. She wil attend a luncheon in Greensboro on Monday and a lunch Tuesday at the Raleigh home of  Billy Brewer and Jo Anne Sanford, the former chairman of the state Utilities Commission.

In recent weeks, Lt.  Gov. Beverly Perdue and state Treasurer Richard Moore, the Democratic candidates for governor, have been arguing over who has a better record protecting women's abortion rights.

NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina is not endorsing either candidate.

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