August 26, 2014 12:15 PM UTC

Will the real Both Ways Bob please stand up?

• 11 Comments
• by: ProgressNow Colorado

(Skip to 4:10 in the video below for the quotes in question – Promoted by Colorado Pols)

As women across the country celebrate Women's Equality Day, ProgressNow Colorado demands that Bob Beauprez tell the truth about his opposition to a woman’s right to choose–even in the case of rape and incest. Beauprez claims his hard line opposition to abortion is his "personal" view, but during his last run for governor, Beauprez clearly stated he would sign an abortion ban into law with no exception for victims of sex crimes.

"It's time for Bob Beauprez to end his war on women: a woman has the right to make her own personal, private medical decisions, including victims of rape and incest,” stated Amy Runyon-Harms, Executive Director of ProgressNow Colorado. "It's shocking that in 2014 we are still having a debate about something so basic."

In an interview broadcast this past Sunday–transcribed below–Beauprez said, "I respect that different people have different opinions than me and I respect the law of the land which is very clear and as Governor I will enforce the law of the land…for me personally the only exception is life of the mother–that's me personally."

Yet in 2006, Beauprez said he would sign a bill that outlaws abortion, even in cases of rape and incest. (Denver Post, October 20, 2006)

"Beauprez's record shows that he would let the government interfere with decisions that should be left to a woman, her family and her doctor," said Runyon-Harms. "Beauprez supported federal Personhood legislation, and said in his last run for Governor that he would sign a bill outlawing all abortions, even in cases of rape or incest. Once again, Both Ways Bob is saying one thing to women, while his record demonstrates otherwise."

Transcript of Beauprez’s interview from KDVR Fox 31 this past Sunday, August 24, 2014:

Starting at 4 minutes 10 seconds:

Stokols: In terms of just the policy, do you believe in exceptions, that there should be exceptions made for the health of the mother or in the cases of rape and incest?

Beauprez: Well, here is where I’ve always been. I respect that different people have different opinions than me and I respect the law of the land which is very clear, and as Governor I will enforce the law of the land. For me personally the only exception is life of the mother–that’s me personally. But again I respect the fact and will be a Governor who respects the fact that our laws provide differently.

Stokols: But personally in cases of rape and incest you don’t believe there should be an exception only in life of the mother?

Beauprez: Personally I’m life of the mother.