Former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown is at odds with the New Hampshire GOP over the “personhood” amendment that it adopted as part of its party platform at a state convention over the weekend.
The New Hampshire Journal website reported that Elizabeth Guyton, a spokesman for Mr. Brown, who is running to unseat Democrat Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in the Granite State, said her boss does not support the changes.
“Scott Brown is pro-choice and will protect a woman’s right to choose,” Ms. Guyton said, the website reported.
The changes made to the New Hampshire GOP’s platform put it more in line with party’s social conservatives, including new “Family” plank that says the party will “Support the pre-born child’s fundamental right to life and personhood under the Fourteenth Amendment, and implement all Constitutional and legal protections.”
Mrs. Shaheen criticized the decision of “Scott Brown’s Republican Party,” saying it calls for all abortions to be banned, even in the case of rape and incest.
“The message from Scott Brown and his Republican Party is disturbing, alarming and clear: They believe they should make the decisions about birth control and health care for women in New Hampshire and around the country,” she said in a statement posted on her campaign website. “They are dangerously wrong, and by signing on with Tea Party extremists, they’re showing just how irresponsibly out of touch they are with the needs and rights of women.”
The New Hampshire Journal reported the changes to the party platform will kick in next election cycle.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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