CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS ATTORNEY GENERAL : Lungren Accused of Doing About-Face on Abortion

Democratic state attorney general candidate Arlo Smith on Thursday accused Republican opponent Dan Lungren of flip-flopping on the abortion rights issue in order to boost his chances in the November election.

“He has changed his views on abortion to save the life of his political career and onlyfor that reason,” said Smith, an abortion rights advocate, during a press conference in the lobby of the downtown Million Dollar Theatre.

In a joint radio appearance this month, Lungren, a staunch abortion opponent, said that, because of society’s lack of support for crime victims, he would support the right to abortion in cases of rape, incest or threat to the mother’s life. While in Congress in 1987, Smith pointed out, Lungren co-sponsored a proposed “right to life” constitutional amendment that would have banned abortions, except in cases in which the mother’s life was threatened.

In reaction, Lungren’s camp issued a two-page statement blasting Smith for ducking a joint radio talk show appearance in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Lungren’s statement made no mention of the abortion issue.

When asked for further clarification, Lungren press spokesman Dave Puglia said that, as acongressman, Lungren voted consistently against public financing of abortions. Puglia said that the recent radio statement was nothing new, since Lungren has supported abortion in cases of rape or incest during Congressional floor debates.

When asked how that squared with Lungren’s co-sponsorship of the constitutional amendment, campaign manager Brian Lungren said, “Lungren’s record is clear on the issue of abortion. There has never been any change. We have answered the question.”

Janet Carroll, legislative director for the California Pro-Life Council, said Thursday that her organization has no problems with Lungren’s stance. The council, she said, occasionally supports legislation that restricts abortions except in cases of rape, incest or threat to the mother’s life. “We support what it is politically possible to get. . . . If you’re out to save lives, you save as many as you could save. We have no doubts or qualms about Dan Lungren.”

Lungren has repeatedly sought to downplay the abortion issue, saying it takes up only a minuscule portion of the attorney general’s time. Smith has countered that it could become a major issue at the state level if the U.S. Supreme Court eventually dilutes abortion rights.

At his press conference, Smith stood beside a makeshift marquee that his campaign aides had altered to read, “The Two Dans.”

“It stars Dan Lungren, the quick-change artist,” Smith said.

” . . . The protagonist in this story has suddenly changed his view.”

Also speaking was California Abortion Rights Action League board member Joanie Parker, who said: “To trust Dan Lungren on abortion rights is like believing Saddam Hussein is spreading democracy through the Middle East.”

Meanwhile, the Lungren campaign Thursday released the results of a poll conducted for Lungren between Aug. 2 and Aug. 9. Statewide, Lungren led Smith 38% to 35%, with the poll having a three-point margin of error.