Gross wants waiting period for abortions

Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Gross wants a mandatory waiting period for women seeking an abortion, and parental consent before a minor can get an abortion. Both would be changes in state law. Earlier this year, Gross said he supported current Iowa law on abortion, but his aides say he was misunderstood and just referring to the compromise that lets state money be used to finance abortions for poor women who’re the victims of rape or incest, or whose lives are endangered by their pregnancy. The matter came to light when Gross filled out a Christian Coalition survey, but Gross campaign spokesman Eric Woolson says Gross has been clear from the start on his pro-life stance. Gross’ earlier statement that he supported current abortion law came when he was being questioned on an Iowa Public Television program. Woolson says “someone” is injecting abortion as a “wedge issue” into the race to take the focus off Democrat Governor Tom Vilsack’s shortcomings. Woolson says Iowans are more concerned about the economy, and changing abortion laws would be difficult. Vilsack has twice vetoed bills which would have forced women seeking an abortion to be given pamphlets about things like adoption and child support to read during a 24-hour-waiting period.