Cross posted at Dirigo Blue
Maine State Sen. Debra Plowman (R-Penobscot) is an unabashed opponent of abortion rights. Though I completely disagree with her position, I respect it and the passion she brings to it. I have seen her speak against abortion on the Senate floor several times, I would not call her a fanatic for the cause.
That is, until last night.
It is clear that Plowman will use any hyperbole and unverified anecdote to support her crusade against the rights of women to make their own health care decisions.
Speaking at a candidates forum on "values," Plowman got her bona fides out of the way in her opening statement, in which she pointed to her long voting record on bills that would limit access to abortion (a legal medical procedure), especially the heat she took for voting against a bill she said was sponsored by former Maine governor Jock McKernan. McKernan is the husband of Sen. Olympia Snowe, who Plowman is hoping to replace.
Then followed attacks on Planned Parenthood. In response to a question about whether Federal money should be cut to the organization, Plowman provided this story:
I love how Plowman begins with, "I have one young woman in my neighborhood," as if she is some sort of feudal lord and this woman is her chattel. But Plowman wasn't finished with Planned Parenthood:
But my favorite is this:
A cursory websearch demonstrates that there is no such requirement for graduation.
I contacted the only medical school in Maine - the University of New England in Biddeford - and received this reply from Dr. Marc Hahn, Senior Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine:
"As a modern medical school, students at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine are exposed to all aspects of women's health as part of their classroom experience, but they are not required to perform an abortion."
What is remarkable is that Plowman won her last election for Maine Senate by a 2 to 1 margin. Fortunately, she is termed out, and has no chance of returning to the Maine House.