10-07-98 Abortion Advocates Eye Candidates

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Abortion rights advocates hope to stunt anticipated GOP gains on Election Day by targeting congressional candidates who shun their anti-abortion records.

``Our goal is not to allow anti-choice forces to increase their numbers in Congress,'' Kate Michelman, president of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, told reporters at a news briefing Tuesday, one month before the Nov. 3 elections.

The trend in election years when the president isn't on the ballot is for the political party not in the White House to pick up seats in Congress. This year, the Republican Party is expected to boost its majorities in both Houses, and many of its members oppose abortion.

Mindful of that history, NARAL is targeting about 60 House and Senate races in what Michelman acknowledged is an uphill fight to block any gains by abortion opponents.

The political arms of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, meanwhile, announced plans Tuesday to spend more than $1 million on voter education and campaign contributions to congressional candidates who favor abortion rights and family planning.

Michelman said pro-choice voters were fooled in 1994, the year Republicans won control of Congress, when they unwittingly cast ballots for anti-abortion candidates who purposely went ``underground'' by minimizing or hiding their records on the issue.

She said the tactic was being used again this year by candidates across the country, including Rep. Linda Smith, R-Wash., a staunch abortion opponent who wants to unseat Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. Murray supports abortion rights.

``If these candidates can convince voters that they pose no real threat to a woman's right to choose ... they can mask their true opposition to reproductive choice until after the election,'' Michelman said. ``They are banking on this strategy to get them the numbers they need to pursue their real agenda in the next Congress.''

Opponents challenged her contention.

``I think Ms. Michelman's frustration is that these candidates are getting elected,'' said Carol Long Tobias, director of the National Right to Life Committee's political action committee. ``They campaign on issues that most of the voters agree with them on.''

Jim Troyer, Smith's campaign spokesman, denied she was ducking the issue.

``Linda Smith has been a very passionate advocate for life,'' he said, adding that ``she has been and will continue to be.''

NARAL also is on the airwaves in New York with an ad spotlighting the anti-abortion record of Republican Sen. Alfonse D'Amato, who is being challenged by Rep. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., an abortion rights supporter.

Advertising in other races is planned, but Michelman said voter education efforts were being hampered by the focus on President Clinton's personal troubles, limited finances and a complacent pro-choice electorate.

She also noted the nearly 100 votes on abortion and reproductive issues since the GOP takeover of Congress and predicted they would continue in the Congress that convenes in January.

``As soon as Congress comes back into session next year ... we will see renewed aggressiveness and a renewed legislative assault on reproductive choice,'' Michelman said.

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