My view on the strategies for choice are a little more "third way" than some people want to hear, but that's for another topic, if ever.

FDR's response to progressive demands: "I agree. Now go out and make me do it."

That said, the key thing is this: he's not some anti-choice loon like some in the General Assembly. (See here for Del. Robert G. "sometimes incest is voluntary" Marshall and here for Del. John "let's criminalize miscarriages" Cosgrove if you have any doubts.) Interestingly, NARAL doesn't characterize Kaine as either pro or anti choice. But the Lt. Governor and AG are virulently anti-choice, as is the House of Delegates. The Senate is better.

(Thus presenting another problem if Kaine is picked: he has one more year in his term, and right now the only barrier to some truly noxious shit--see below--is the Senate, which is holding so far. But that wouldn't stop them from doing things with their executive powers, not to mention get rid of all the great appointments for knuckle draggers.)

He's more like Mario Cuomo about it: there's his personal belief, and then there's upholding the law, and he will uphold the law. He's also against the death penalty, but while he's let those slated for execution exhaust every means to have it overturned, he's not stopped executions.

He unfortunately supports abstinence education, which does nothing to further the goals of unwanted pregnancy. He does, however, support contraception.

Here he is on the issue:

I have a faith-based opposition to abortion. As governor, I will work in good faith to reduce abortions by:

   1. Enforcing the current Virginia restrictions on abortion and passing an enforceable ban on partial birth abortion that protects the life and health of the mother;
   2. Fighting teen pregnancy through abstinence-focused education;
   3. Ensuring women's access to health care (including legal contraception) and economic opportunity; and
   4. Promoting adoption as an alternative for women facing unwanted pregnancies.

Too often politicians are interested in scoring political points, rather than in reducing the number of abortions. Many of the legislative proposals introduced in the General Assembly, like the ones to require unnecessary building standards for doctor's offices that perform abortions, are just political grandstanding. They encourage division and lawsuits rather than contributing to the goal of reducing abortions.

Here's Media Matters' take on it. Be sure to read the link to the Wash Post article that's embedded there.

Here's another article written while he was running for Governor.

This was his stance in 2007. The upshot? He said he'd veto legislation outlawing abortion.

Here's a summary of the anti-choice bills killed in Senate committee earlier this year.

As much as I like him, I HAVE to put it out there, but I have to give the complete picture, and many do not.

Can't hear ya, Peach!