AD WATCH - Beyer and Gilmore

Another in a series of examinations of the accuracy of political advertising

Candidate: James S. Gilmore III (R)

Election: Nov. 4, Virginia governor

Producer: St. Mary's Associates, St. Mary's, Md.

Time: Two 30-second commercials

Visual: Gilmore in blue sweater and open collar shirt talks into the camera. A second spot features flashing red hazard lights around the name of Democrat Donald S. Beyer Jr. and "politician" followed by allegations of Beyer flip-flops.

Audio: Gilmore, in the first spot: "My opponent's not being honest with you on the very personal matter of abortion. The truth is, the Supreme Court has spoken. No one's going to ban abortions and Don Beyer knows that. Let me tell you where we do differ. As governor, I won't ask taxpayers to pay for abortions. I won't support late-term abortion. And I'll make sure parents are involved whenever a minor child needs to face the terrible decision that abortion involves." Narrator: "Honesty, integrity, character, Jim Gilmore for governor."

Analysis: Gilmore answers Beyer's accusation that the GOP nominee is extreme on abortion by returning to his attack on Beyer's character. In two paired commercials, Gilmore plays good cop and bad cop. In person, he delivers a straightforward defense of his position. The other spot points out that in 1989 Beyer favored parental "notification and consent" proposals to require minor girls to inform a parent and get permission before obtaining an abortion, then flip-flopped. Beyer now says he opposes a consent law, which Gilmore supports. Beyer backed Virginia's notification law passed last winter and says that the abortion debate has gotten more detailed since 1989, when he says the terms "notification" and "consent" were used interchangeably. By focusing his remarks on what the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled, Gilmore tries to deflect Beyer's allegation that Gilmore is extreme in personally opposing abortion after three months of pregnancy, even in cases involving rape or incest.

Candidate: Donald S. Beyer Jr. (D)

Election: Nov. 4, Virginia governor

Producer: Shrum Devine & Donilon, Washington

Time: 30 seconds

Visual: Garish red and yellow graphics accompany accusations that Republican James S. Gilmore III is extreme in his opposition to abortion, while Beyer is shown outdoors talking with women.

Audio: Narrator: "Who will protect a woman's right to choose? Jim Gilmore wants to make abortion illegal after the first eight weeks of pregnancy, even in the cases of rape and incest. Jim Gilmore. Outlaw abortion after eight weeks even in cases of rape and incest. Don Beyer is pro-choice. He trusts the women of Virginia, not the politicians to make this most personal and difficult decision. Beyer. The only choice for a Virginia that respects a woman's right to choose. Don Beyer. Building the best Virginia."

Analysis: Gilmore has said he personally believes an abortion is a matter between a woman and her physician during the first "eight to 12 weeks" of pregnancy. After that, the GOP nominee believes it should occur only in cases to save the life of the woman. Gilmore's position would represent a sharp restriction from current law. But Gilmore says that as governor he would have no power to counter the constitutional guarantee of abortion rights and would support no unconstitutional law. Gilmore, though, has prolonged the debate by saying he would support further restricting abortions on teenage girls by requiring them to obtain a parent's consent. Gilmore then suggested that a measure to require an adult woman to notify her husband before having an abortion was worth considering. The Republican then backed off that statement and said he does not support a spousal notification requirement.

© Copyright 1997 The Washington Post Company

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