Gov. Scott Walker (R-Wis.) and the Democratic-aligned group EMILY's List are now trading a pair of ads on the issue of abortion and mandatory ultrasounds in this closely watched race.
The subject of the ads, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel explains, is a law Walker signed in July 2013: "It required women seeking abortions to get ultrasounds and mandated that doctors performing the procedure must have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of where they do their work." The section on admitting privileges — which would close down two out of the four clinics offering abortion in Wisconsin — is being held up in a court challenge.
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Walker's response ad features the governor himself, talking to the camera, and describing the law as a protection for women: "I'm pro-life. But there's no doubt in my mind the decision of whether or not to end a pregnancy is an agonizing one. That's why I support legislation to increase safety and to provide more information for a woman considering her options. The bill leaves the final decision to a woman and her doctor." --Eric Kleefeld
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