Mike Gravel on Reproductive Health Issues

Senator Mike Gravel (D-AK) has been called "everyone's favorite crazy guy." Gravel's campaign calls for the dissolution of the Electoral College system, replaced with, what he calls his National Initiative.

Sen. Gravel has been vocal in his support for reproductive rights saying "Any decision on reproductive rights should remain between a woman and her doctor." Gravel supports a woman's right to choose based on the right to privacy held under the 14^th amendment in the U.S. Constitution.

On the recent Supreme Court decision banning so-called partial birth abortions, Gravel says, "I am opposed to today's ruling or any ruling that places restrictions on reproductive freedom. Today's decision authorizes federal intervention to prohibit a nationwide procedure that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has found at times to be medically necessary...There is no room for interference from politicians and judges."

Senator Gravel supports embryonic stem cell research and "believes that it is wrong to limit the advancement of science." Gravel has a flair for the dramatic — telling the Blue State Observer that opposition to embryonic stem cell research can be compared to when research on corpses was unheard of but how that research has lead to many medical breakthroughs.

According to NARAL Pro-Choice America, Senator Gravel has a "mixed record" on choice mostly due to his absence from reproductive choice related votes from 1977-1980.

Gravel discusses his health care plan: