Abortion

Michigan Democratic Rep. Bart Stupak says it's been "living hell" leading the fight against Senate abortion language. Wonder how he feels now that he's lost the nuns.

The Catholic nuns, in a rare split with the bishops, believe the Senate language does the job -- and they don't want the abortion fight to hold up health reform that would cover 32 million Americans and crack down on insurance company abuses. Just a few days after the Catholic Health Association announced its support of the Senate health bill, a coalition of 59,000 Catholic nuns sent a letter to lawmakers encouraging them to pass the Senate health care bill. The letter was signed by the leaders of more than 50 Catholic women's orders and organizations.

The fear is that a big turnout among African-American and Latino voters for Obama might give Prop 8, the same-sex marriage ban, a crucial boost. Some polling shows broader support for Prop 8 among such voters than in the electorate as a whole. The dynamic also might boost Prop 4, the California initiative to require parental notification before an abortion is performed on a minor.

The governor has now taken positions on 10 of the 12 measures on the ballot. (He's neutral on Propositions 6 and 9, both of which have to do with crime). He's no on Prop 8, the same-sex marriage ban, and yes on Prop 4, which would require that a parent or guardian be notified before a minor has an abortion. The full list here via the Sacramento Bee.

A new poll from the Public Policy Institute of California shows three November ballot initiatives -- Prop 4 (parental notification before a minor has an abortion), Prop 8 (ban on same-sex marriage) and Prop 11 (redistricting reform) -- with less than majority support. Prop 11's supporters issued a statement last night saying the poll was good news, as it showed the measure leading 38 percent to 33 percent. I suppose that depends on one's definition of good news.