Politicians love the spotlight - however, republican Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia is wishing that it was not aimed at him this week.
While Gov. McDonnell has carefully crafted a message about his Conservative Republican values which focuses on economic issues rather then social issues - this week's controversy over the Virginia ultrasound "Rape Bill" may have tarnished his hopes for National office.
This goes to prove that in the complex climate of today's political scene being anti abortion does not always pay - even for conservatives.
Having retired for the military and recently winning the Governorship of Virginia, McDonnell, according to the New York Times , has been considered a possible Vice Presidential candidate on a conservative bid for the White House this year.
Unfortunately for McDonnell, his anti-abortion stance is acting as a double edged sword now.
As a conservative Republican McDonnell has always been anti - abortion, so when state Republicans began working on the bill requiring ultrasound imaging before a woman could have an abortion he said he supported it.
When opponents of the bill pointed out that this would require most women to have a vaginal ultrasound, which requires inserting a sonogram wand internally, McDonnell had to back down.
"Mandating an invasive procedure in order to give informed consent is not a proper role for the state," the governor said in the statement.
This boosted his credibility with Pro Choice groups - but has weakened his position in the Republican Party.
"Any hope he had of getting on a national ticket went out the window," said a Republican strategist told the New York Times asking that his name not be used. "He's the guy who pulled the plug on this and among conservatives; he's going to be suspect."
What this sort of conundrum shows is that taking a stance to limit women's reproductive freedom through coercive measures does not pay.
If you stick with it you lose the middle ground of moderates and the left. If you back down you lost the confidence of conservatives and the right.
Travernise, Sabrina "Getting Name Recognition the Hard Way" in The New York Times February 24, 2012. Page 9 A. [http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/25/us/bob-mcdonnell-governor-of-virginia-gets-name-recognition.html?ref=abortion]
Ibid.
Travernise, Sabrina "Governor of Virginia Shifts Position on Abortion Bill" in the New York Times February 22, 2012. page A1. [http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/23/us/governor-of-virginia-calls-for-changes-in-abortion-bill.html?ref=abortion]
While Gov. McDonnell has carefully crafted a message about his Conservative Republican values which focuses on economic issues rather then social issues - this week's controversy over the Virginia ultrasound "Rape Bill" may have tarnished his hopes for National office.
This goes to prove that in the complex climate of today's political scene being anti abortion does not always pay - even for conservatives.
Having retired for the military and recently winning the Governorship of Virginia, McDonnell, according to the New York Times , has been considered a possible Vice Presidential candidate on a conservative bid for the White House this year.
Unfortunately for McDonnell, his anti-abortion stance is acting as a double edged sword now.
As a conservative Republican McDonnell has always been anti - abortion, so when state Republicans began working on the bill requiring ultrasound imaging before a woman could have an abortion he said he supported it.
When opponents of the bill pointed out that this would require most women to have a vaginal ultrasound, which requires inserting a sonogram wand internally, McDonnell had to back down.
"Mandating an invasive procedure in order to give informed consent is not a proper role for the state," the governor said in the statement.
This boosted his credibility with Pro Choice groups - but has weakened his position in the Republican Party.
"Any hope he had of getting on a national ticket went out the window," said a Republican strategist told the New York Times asking that his name not be used. "He's the guy who pulled the plug on this and among conservatives; he's going to be suspect."
What this sort of conundrum shows is that taking a stance to limit women's reproductive freedom through coercive measures does not pay.
If you stick with it you lose the middle ground of moderates and the left. If you back down you lost the confidence of conservatives and the right.
Travernise, Sabrina "Getting Name Recognition the Hard Way" in The New York Times February 24, 2012. Page 9 A. [http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/25/us/bob-mcdonnell-governor-of-virginia-gets-name-recognition.html?ref=abortion]
Ibid.
Travernise, Sabrina "Governor of Virginia Shifts Position on Abortion Bill" in the New York Times February 22, 2012. page A1. [http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/23/us/governor-of-virginia-calls-for-changes-in-abortion-bill.html?ref=abortion]
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