George Allen refuses to take position on Va. abortion bill

Former Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) has refused to take a position on the controversial bill working its way through the Virginia statehouse that would require women to have an ultrasound before they could have an abortion.

The bill has caused much controversy in the state, partly because the measure would have force some in the early stages of pregnancy to undergo an intra-vaginal ultrasound. After the controversy boiled over, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) asked for the bill to be modified to exclude that provision, but the bill is still pending and will likely be come up for a vote Tuesday.

While Allen came out in favor of another bill, now deferred until next year, that would redefine "personhood" as beginning at fertilization in the state, he has carefully avoided taking a position on the ultrasound bill.

"We're not going to take a position on every bill moving through the General Assembly," said Allen spokesperson Katie Wright when asked about his stance Monday. "When we're on the road people are talking to us about jobs, the economy and gas prices."

Former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine's (D) campaign has hit Allen hard for his support of the "personhood amendment," sending out fundraising emails and holding a conference call with reporters on the issue.

Allen's campaign pointed out that it was Kaine, not Allen, who was focused on the topic. "It's hypocritical that Tim Kaine is saying he's talking about the economy when he was on his conference call pushing this issue last week," Wright said.

Still, Allen has been vocal on some social issues — just not this one. That Kaine continues to push this matter while Allen sees it as a liability no matter what he does. His primary opponent, Virginia Del. Bob Marshall (R), is one of the main forces behind the bill, and while Allen is the clear front-runner, he has to make sure not to anger social conservatives in the state.

A recent poll of Viriginia found 55 percent of voters opposing the bill, with 36 percent in support.

The race between Allen and Kaine has been neck-and-neck in nearly every poll so far, and will likely remain so from now until election day.

This post was updated at 8:14 p.m.