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« Man dies after shooting in Mattapan for city's 55th homicide | Main | Worker rescued 25 feet above Chelsea construction site » Thursday, October 12, 2006Despite endorsements, Healey campaign says candidates agree on abortionBy Andrew Ryan, Globe Correspondent The campaign of Republican Kerry Healey tried today to deflect the endorsement by three women's advocacy groups of her male Democratic opponent, pointing to abortion rights as an issue where the two candidates agree. "Kerry Healey and Deval Patrick disagree on many key issues including taxes, crime and education," said campaign manager Tim O'Brien in a written statement. "However, they share common ground when it comes to protecting and defending a woman's right to choose." Patrick picked up support today from the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund, the Massachusetts chapter of the National Organization for Women, and NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts. "Kerry Healey misled us four years ago on the current administration's commitment to a woman's right to choose," said Melissa Kogut, Executive Director of NARAL of Massachusetts, in a written statement. "With so much at stake for reproductive rights, we need a governor who will be a leader for women's reproductive freedom. Deval Patrick will be that kind of leader." NARAL officials also pointed out that the group has endorsed Republicans in Massachusetts, including William Weld in 1990 and state Sen. Richard Tisei. Healey's campaign manager noted today that she has already secured the support of Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus, a pro-choice group. Regardless, today's endorsements are a blow to Healey, who is campaigning to become the state's first female governor but has had some trouble connecting with female voters. In a Boston Globe/CBS4 poll of 525 likely voters late last month, only 23 to 24 percent of woman surveyed said they would vote for Healey, compared to 56 to 59 percent who said they would pick Patrick. The survey found that 44 percent of female respondents said they had an "unfavorable" view of the lieutenant governor. Posted by the Boston Globe City & Region Desk at 01:56 PM
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