CNN’s Dana Bash repeatedly pressed Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom on abortion Monday night as he refused to give a straight answer.
Bash questioned Newsom about where the line should be drawn for abortion legalization. Newsom discussed Republicans allegedly lying that Democrats allow abortion up to and after the moment of birth.
“It’s up to you, to women, who have to bear that responsibility uniquely and distinctively. And it’s a canard, it’s a political frame. It’s total B.S. and it’s exactly where they need to go because they know they’ve gone too far,” Newsom said.
“But there has to be some—well, let me just talk about your state of California. As you well know, there’s a law in the books that preceded you that says that you can have an abortion up until viability—24 weeks. Is that something that you support personally?”
“That’s a statute in the state of California. That said, there was a constitutional amendment that we placed on the ballot that has some nuance in it. So that’s an area that’s being adjudicated and public opinion, and likely will be adjudicated,” the California governor said.
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California voters passed a proposition to enshrine a “right to abortion” in the California constitution in November, five months following the overturn of Roe v. Wade. The state continues to only limit abortion access after viability, at which point a baby can survive outside of the womb. (RELATED” Chris Christie Visibly Angers ‘Morning Joe’ Hosts After Saying Late-Term Abortions Should Be Banned)
“Is it the government’s role then, I know you said it’s up to women,” Bash said.
“It’s not our role to make that decision,” Newsom said.
“So there should be nothing on the books?” Bash pressed.
“This is a canard, this is a false flag. This is where they need to go in order to get out of the mess they created,” Newsom repeated. “Because they don’t believe in fundamental choice and freedom for women. They don’t. Carry it full stop. And this whole issue is a political issue and so with respect, I’m not surprised that Donald Trump is saying this. This is exactly what you’ll hear everyone say next week at the Reagan Library, and at the end of the day, those examples are so extreme, so rare, when you have literally viability issues that are so personal and painful.”
“Others have said it more eloquently, after you’ve picked out the name of the baby, then you’re forced to make this terrible decision at the end of the term, and to exploit that for political purposes offends,” he continued.
Bash attempted to clarify whether Newsom believes the federal or state governments should have involvement in abortion restrictions. Without directly answering her question, Newsom said no one supported late-term abortions and accused former President Donald Trump of lying for political purposes.
Several Democratic-led states have legalized abortion without a gestational limit. New Jersey, Colorado, Alaska, New Mexico, Oregon, Minnesota and Vermont all do not restrict abortion at any point throughout the pregnancy, according to The New York Times.
Many prominent Democrats, including former White House press secretary Jen Psaki and Democratic Minnesota Sen. Al Franken, received backlash for attempting to debunk Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ claim that the party supports abortion up to the moment of birth. Conservatives pointed to Franken’s state legalizing abortion up to the moment of birth and former Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam advocating for abortion at and after the moment of birth during an appearance on a podcast.