Is ARNOLD Pro-Life?

As Kash reports, the California voters pitched a shut-out at the polls yesterday. Among the various Propositions that I voted no on was Proposition 73:

Should the California Constitution be amended to require notification of the parent or legal guardian of an unemancipated, pregnant minor at least 48 hours before performing an abortion on the minor?

The Attorney General summary read:

Amends California Constitution, defining and prohibiting abortion for unemancipated minor until 48 hours after physician notifies minor’s parent/guardian, except in medical emergency or with parental waiver. Mandates reporting requirements. Authorizes monetary damages against physicians for violation.

During the Sunday night debate that I mentioned, Governor Schwarzenegger declined his invitation to debate and sent Tom Campbell as his a surrogate. The moderators – who were excellent – asked the Mr. Campbell about Proposition 73 only to be reminded that they had agreed not to ask him to give his views. We learned that Schwarzenegger’s surrogate apparently was against Proposition 73 but he did not wish to publicly disagree with the governor.

Tom McClintock – who normally is about as straightforward with his rightwing views as it gets – did show. Even though I might disagree with McClintock on most issues, I have a lot of respect for conservatives who are typically honest. But McClintock’s defense of this proposal struck me a a bit misleading. He and I share a couple of things in common. We both have teenage daughters and we both would hope our daughters would consult their parents on such issues. McClintock kept worrying that someone who “take” his daughter to an abortion clinic. I bet his daughter is a lot like mine – no one takes her where she does not wish to go. If McClintock did not get the issue, a moderator asked him directly – does he want the government to intervene in his family life. McClintock says he is a libertarian so one would think he would not wish to have the government to intervene in these matters. So want did this normally straight talking conservative do? He danced around the question.

I would say this dancing was pathetic but compare his dancing to Schwarzenegger’s wanting to have it both ways. Schwarzenegger pretends to be pro-choice but he supported Proposition 73. And when invited to discuss this issue on the eve of his own call for an election, he sends a surrogate who refuses to even entertain the issue.

Meanwhile, hat tip to Brad DeLong for his summary of the various Propositions including why the LA Weekly News also opposed Proposition 73.