The Christian Civic League of Maine – a virulent anti-abortion organization – had a clear message for its followers about LePage’s statement that he would veto a 15-week abortion ban: don’t believe what he says.
According to the group, “A candidate’s position is more than what they say on the debate stage. Politicians are notoriously inconsistent, especially on this issue.” They went on to say that “we have decided to endorse Paul LePage as the clear choice for voters who are committed to the sanctity of life here in Maine.”
The group, which supports the goal of ending all abortion, pointed to LePage’s anti-abortion record to reassure their members that he is, in fact, anti-abortion and would support restricting a woman’s right to safe and legal abortion if elected:
“Both [candidates] may have sounded the same on the debate stage, but both of them have notably different records.
“Not only has Paul LePage given us written acknowledgement that he opposes taxpayer funding of abortion, but he has a history of pro-life statements that have been consistent with him and his administration while in office.. As the Washington Post was very quick to point out, when asked before about whether he would restrict abortion if Roe v. Wade was overturned, he had said “Let’s do it.”
“Both politicians struck a stance on the debate stage that they thought would appeal to the independent voters. But even a quick glance at their records indicates that they diverge more than they represented themselves during the debate.
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“Looking at these factors, as well as the full context of both these politicians’ careers and public service, we have decided to endorse Paul LePage as the clear choice for voters who are committed to the sanctity of life here in Maine.”
“This may be one of the only times that I am ever going to tell Maine people that they should listen to the Christian Civic League of Maine, because when it comes to Paul LePage, they are right – we all know that he will take away the rights of women in Maine if given the chance,” said Bev Uhlenhake, Vice Chair of the Maine Democratic Party. “The only way to protect women and abortion rights this fall is to say no to Paul LePage.”