Vice Presidential Hopeful VA Governor McDonnell Modifies Abortion Stance

The Washington Post: McDonnell statements on abortion draw scrutiny, by Anita Kumar:

RICHMOND — As a legislator, attorney general and governor, Robert F. McDonnell has said he opposes abortion in all but one instance: if continuing the pregnancy would put the mother’s life in danger.

But McDonnell, a likely Republican vice presidential contender, recently said through his spokesman that he would also allow it in cases of rape and incest.

The statement has prompted many supporters and opponents to believe that he has modified one of his core political stances. Some suspect he has done so to improve his chances of being picked as a running mate for presumed Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, whose own position on abortion has shifted over time but currently makes exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. . . .