New Jersey Gov. Christie Speaks At Anti-Abortion Rally
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Gov. Chris Christie told anti-abortion activists gathered on the Statehouse steps Monday that they have an ally in him.
"You will know that you have someone sitting in that office who understands this issue, who appreciates it. You have today and you have for the rest of my life an ally," the Republican told a crowd of a hundred or so shivering activists who came out despite temperatures in the teens.
But Christie, the first anti-abortion governor in New Jersey since the 1973 landmark U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision legalized abortion, urged abortion opponents to "speak calmly and clearly and forthrightly for the idea that this is an issue whose time has come."
The rally was one of many across the country to protest Saturday's 38th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision.
The executive director of New Jersey Right to Life, a grassroots organization that says it's dedicated to protecting human life, called Monday's rally and the governor's support "historic."
"It energizes the movement to know that the highest official in New Jersey is with us," executive director Marie Tasy said.
Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, who favors abortion rights, did not attend the rally, which was just feet outside her office.
At the rally, the governor repeated a story he has told before: how hearing the heartbeat of his unborn daughter, the second of his four children, nearly 15 years ago had a profound effect on him.
"It was at that moment that it became clear to me that being on the sidelines on this issue was not something that I could live with and that I needed to speak out in favor of the very simple idea that that child is a life which deserves protection," he told the crowd, which cheered and chanted "right to life" as he spoke.
Christie, a rising GOP star who's often mentioned as a presidential contender, used to favor abortion rights. In a July 1996 article by The Record of Bergen County, Christie is quoted as saying he is "pro-choice" but opposes late-term abortions.
On Monday, Christie, who is Catholic, invoked the Declaration of Independence in saying that all life deserved to be protected.
"Our founders said we should stand for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," he said. "Without life, there cannot be liberty nor the pursuit of happiness."
Headlining the rally marked a notable turn for Christie, who has been open about his abortion views but not overly vocal -- usually only discussing the topic when asked.
His abortion remarks come as Democrats continue to criticize him for cutting money for family planning from the state budget. He cut $7.5 million from this year's budget for 58 clinics specializing in women's reproductive health.
The bill to restore the funds specifies that no state money would be used for abortion services but would be used for things like low-cost birth control, breast exams and Pap smears.
However, Planned Parenthood, which performs abortions, would be eligible for money to help with non-abortion services. Because of that, those who oppose abortion object to the funding.
"There is nothing objectionable to the governor's personal stance against abortion, but his use of his office to promote an anti-choice agenda is troubling," said state Sen. Barbara Buono, D-Edison, who was among those pushing Christie to restore the funding. "By aligning himself with the far right in this debate, he is leaving millions of New Jersey women by the wayside."
(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
