Beauprez's words on abortion bashed by black legislators

[El Supremo]

By Stuart Steers, Rocky Mountain News
August 30, 2006
Congressman Bob Beauprez was denounced by state legislators today for comments he made in a recent radio interview about black pregnancies and abortion.

"In some of our ethnic communities, we're seeing very, very high percentages of babies, children, pregnancies end in abortion," Beauprez said in an interview broadcast on Colorado Public Radio. "I've seen numbers as high as 70 percent, maybe even more, in the African-American community that I think is just appalling."

That figure was immediately challenged by black legislators, who said the rate of abortion in the black community is nowhere near that high.

"Coloradans deserve better than Beauprez's disgusting demonstration of ignorance," state Rep. Rosemary Marshall said in a statement. "Beauprez should stop trying to push his anti-abortion agenda at the expense of African-Americans."

Beauprez apologized this afternoon for his comment.

"I was wrong about the statistic I quoted in a recent interview with Colorado Public Radio and I apologize to the African American Community and anyone else who was offended," he said in a statement. "I should have verified the statistic before repeating it."

http://www.insidedenver.com/drmn/elections/article/0,2808,DRMN_24736_4956387,00.html


(I think he was thinking of the percentage of out-of-wedlock births to blacks. But still, the black abortion rate is higher than whites - just not that high.)

On edit: (Republican Bob Beauprez is running for Governor against Democrat Bill Ritter who is somewhat anti-abortion)

[orpupilofnature57]

1. They don't oppose abortion of all humans, just fetuses

[panader0]

2. I think that all people who oppose abortion should be willing to adopt

the child. Take care of the mother through pregnancy, and have a college fund set up. I, personally, do not like the idea of abortion, but I am not a woman, and a woman should be able to make the choice she feels is right for her situation.

[alternativethot]

3. yes, colorado deserves better

This guy blows me away. I'm trying to convince as many people as possible to NOT vote for him.

[niyad]

4. welcome to DU-- isn't it wonderful?? between bob and his running mate,

lamborn, musgrave and tancredo, CO has some real dingbats from which to choose. pretty sad when they can actually make betty beady look almost sane.