Gore Expressed Opposition to Abortion in 1987 Letter : Issues: Senator wrote to a constituent, saying he viewed the procedure as ‘arguably the taking of human life.’ But he denies his position has changed.

Designated Democratic vice presidential candidate Al Gore, who now professes to be strongly in favor of abortion rights, expressed opposition to abortion as recently as 1987, saying he viewed it as “arguably the taking of human life.”

In a letter to a constituent in Tennessee, Gore voiced strong support for legislation that blocked federal funding for abortion. The Times obtained a copy of the letter on Monday from a source who declined to be identified.

When questioned about his apparent change of position, Gore flatly denied that his stance on abortion had ever changed. He added: “There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind as to which ticket is the pro-choice ticket in this campaign.”

Both President Bush and his running mate, Vice President Dan Quayle, are opposed to abortion rights, even though Bush favored it earlier in his political career. Asked for comment, a senior Bush-Quayle campaign official said that the President “has had the same position for the past 12 years.”

In his 1987 letter, Gore told an anti-abortion constituent that he supported a bill offered by Rep. Henry J. Hyde (R-Ill.), which prohibited the use of federal funds for abortions except when the life of the mother would be endangered.

“Its goal, which I share, is to reduce the outrageously large number of abortions which currently take place,” he wrote.

“During my 11 years in Congress, I have consistently opposed federal funding of abortions. In my opinion, it is wrong to spend federal funds for what is arguably the taking of a human life. Let me assure you that I share your belief that innocent human life must be protected and I am committed to furthering this goal.”

Gore acknowledged that he has long opposed federal funding for abortions on grounds it would use scarce tax dollars to perform a controversial medical procedure. But he has said he would not be opposed to spending federal money for abortion under a comprehensive national health care program.

Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton sought Monday to minimize his past differences with Gore on the abortion issue, indicating the vice president would have to conform to his views since he is running at the top of the ticket.

“I don’t know that there’s a measurable difference,” Clinton told reporters. “We may have some differences, but he’s clearly pro-choice and that’s important to me. I don’t think there’s a significant difference.”

Asked how they would work out their differences, Clinton replied: “We’ve got to get together and I’ve got to hear him out and we’re going to discuss it and then I’ll decide.”

During his tenure in the House between 1978 and 1985, according to the National Right to Life Committee, Gore voted with abortion rights opponents in more than 80% of the instances that the issue arose. He also voted against exceptions for rape and incest to the ban on federal funding.

In 1984, according to the Congressional Quarterly, Gore also voted for an amendment to a civil rights bill that would have defined the word “person” to include unborn children from the moment of conception.

Clinton himself currently supports abortion rights with a provision for parental notice in the case of abortions performed on minors. But the Arkansas Gazette reported last year that Clinton’s professed support for abortion rights was virtually unknown in his home state at the time he proclaimed it in a speech to the National Women’s Political Caucus at the outset of his presidential campaign.