NARAL Pro-Choice America

Fallout from Edwards' endorsement

bkrueger — Thu, 15 May 2008 10:56:42 -0400

Some of the reaction to John Edwards' endorsement of Barack Obama:

From The Fix: Former Clinton administration official describes Edwards as "troubadour of the working class," and says endorsement makes it more difficult for Hillary Clinton to argue the working class won't support Obama.

From RealClearPolitics: Edwards' endorsement was the second most important endorsement of the day for Obama. The most important was from NARAL Pro-Choice America, the first major women's group to abandon Clinton.

From The New York Times: Despite publically saying he's not interest, Edwards has privately told aides he would consider role of vice president and is interested in being attorney general.

Dole for veep?

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 13:35:11 -0400

A conservative blogger suggests U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole for vice president.

In a post on the Race 4 2008 site, Clarence Claus writes that the Salisbury Republican could be a good foil if the Democratic nominee ends up being U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Claus notes that she's served as secretary of transportation and labor, headed the American Red Cross and has a lifetime rating from the American Conservative Union of 91, an A grade from the National Rifle Association and a lifetime rating of zero from NARAL Pro-Choice America.

The Vice-Presidential candidate typically takes on the role of hatchet-man (or woman). This could be hard for Dole since she has kind of a syrupy persona, but she could attack Hillary in a way a male candidate couldn’t.

Claus says Dole would be a good pick for a Northerner like Mitt Romney or Rudy Giuliani.

In addition, Dole woudl have a former veep candidate in her corner — her husband, Bob, who ran alongside Gerald Ford in 1976.

Harris Teeter: Plan B in stock

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 13:47:13 -0400

Harris Teeter says it is company policy to stock Plan B.

Jennifer Panetta, a spokeswoman for the Matthews-based grocery chain, said that all of its stores are supposed to carry emergency contraception, though they may only have one pill in stock.

If a store runs out, pharmacists are supposed to recommend a nearby Harris Teeter and order another pill on the next truck, which could come in one or two days, depending on the location.

When taken within 72 hours of intercourse, the pill can prevent a pregnancy. A survey by NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina found that three Harris Teeter stores did not have the pill in stock despite corporate policy on multiple occasions.

Panetta said the stores have been contacted and they now have the pill in stock.

More after the jump.

NARAL campaigns for morning-after pill

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:11:10 -0400

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

bkrueger — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:43:12 -0400

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.

NARAL chief to drop in

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:01:01 -0400

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.

Perdue defends pro-choice record

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 08:56:13 -0400

Beverly Perdue defended her pro-choice record last week.

In an interview with the Charlotte Observer, the lieutenant governor, who is running for the Democratic nomination for governor, said she has raised money for state lawmakers in support of abortion rights and participated in get-out-the-vote efforts last year for Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America.

"I don't think there's been anybody who's worked harder on health care issues, including choice, than me," she said.

Perdue was responding to attacks from her Democratic rival, state Treasurer Richard Moore, that she has wavered on the issue. Moore's campaign pointed to a reduction from $1.2 million to $50,000 in 1995 in the state abortion fund for poor women when Perdue was one of the Senate's chief budget writers.

But Perdue said at the legislature "one person doesn't decide anything."