Abortion rights group releases report card on potential running mates

July 13, 2000
Web posted at: 5:49 p.m. EDT (2149 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The National Abortion And Reproductive Rights Action League, released a report card Thursday grading potential vice presidential candidates on their positions on abortion.

On the Democratic side, Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California received the highest marks, while nearly all Republicans on the list received a failing grade from the abortion rights group, which endorsed Vice President Al Gore in February.

Candidates were rated on previous voting records, commitment to Roe v. Wade -- the 1973 supreme court ruling establishing a woman's right to obtain an abortion -- as well as public statements and leadership on abortion issues.

"It is important to know the positions of the running mates -- they may one day be president," said Alice Germond, executive vice president of NARAL.

On the Democratic side, an "A" grade for supporting abortion rights was given to: Feinstein; Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois; Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts; Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut; former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell of Maine; Energy Secretary Bill Richardson; and New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen.

Sen. Bob Graham of Florida, often mentioned at the top of Gore's running mate list, received a "B" grade with the report card comment, "occasional slips mar otherwise good work."

Another top contender, Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, received a "C" grade, although the report card noted "moves in the right direction." House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt also received a "C," the lowest given to any of the Democrats.

Among the running mates reportedly being considered by Republican presidential hopeful George W. Bush, the highest mark was given to New Jersey Gov. Christine Whitman, who received a "B" for "demonstrating leadership."

New York Gov. George Pataki received a "C" grade. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, who also supports abortion rights, received a "D" grade for work that NARAL said "continues to decline."

The rest of the Republican vice presidential field received "F" grades, including: Rep. John Kasich of Ohio; former Labor Secretary Elizabeth Dole, Michigan Gov. John Engler, Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska; Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating; Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee and Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson.

The group plans to mobilize the abortion rights vote through mailings, phone banks and television commercials. No commercials are planned to detail the vice-presidential report card.