Dr. Warren Hern takes on Bill Ritter

A little over a month ago, I received a couple emails from Dr. Warren Hern, explaining his opposition to Democratic candidate for governor Bill Ritter. Hern believes that a pro-life Democratic governor would set the women's rights movement back even further than a pro-life Republican governor.

Hern popped up in the Rocky Mountain News today. The article states that "Dr. Warren Hern delivered a lengthy statement on Ritter's candidacy in the Capitol Building on Monday, a day after the 33rd anniversary of the Roe. vs. Wade decision. 'Although I want to see a Democrat returned to the governor's office in Colorado, I will not accept this at the cost of the loss of freedom of access to safe abortion services for Colorado women,' he said. Hern said Ritter's views on the issue represent 'a historic step backward' for the Democratic Party."

Ritter is "personally against abortion. But he has said that if elected governor, he would 'oppose any effort that would seek to criminalize women or their doctors over this issue' and that he would 'enforce existing laws, including Roe. vs. Wade.'"

Hern is a thoughtful advocate for women's rights, but I don't agree that Ritter would be more injurious to the pro-choice movement than, say Marc Holtzman. If you don't like the candidates, affiliate with a party and work to get better candidates. Don't ruin the country out of spite on election day.