Nevada Democrats have their own abortion battle

Monday, July 8, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

When it comes to the abortion issue, Nevada Democrats say no news is good news.

Nevada's 27-member delegation to the Democratic National Convention next month in Chicago hopes the party can avoid the unwanted media attention Republicans have created for themselves by squabbling over abortion.

Pro-choice Republicans, who represent the minority in the GOP, want to water down tough anti-abortion wording in the party platform, a philosophical guideline few people pay attention to until a divisive issue like abortion makes it front-page news.

Some anti-abortion Democrats, who are in the minority in their party and are still smarting about being silenced at the 1992 convention, have threatened to raise a ruckus. At least 30 anti-abortion House Democrats are urging party leaders to modify the party's strongly pro-choice position.

However, two anti-abortion Nevada delegates, Gov. Bob Miller and Sen. Harry Reid, expect the issue to remain low key at the convention.

"I've never politicized something as personal as the abortion issue, and I don't intend to at the convention," Miller said. "I haven't been approached by anyone on the subject. I don't intend to make it an issue one way or the other."

Reid says anti-abortion supporters should have a chance to be heard, although, like Miller, he doesn't plan to make an issue out of it.

Abortion became an issue at the 1992 Democratic convention when former Pennsylvania Gov. Robert Casey was denied a chance to defend his anti-abortion position.

Democrats, trying to avoid a replay of that incident, are urging convention organizers to provide an open microphone.

"Anybody who has a stand on the issue ought to be able to talk about it," Reid said.

Sen. Richard Bryan, who is pro-choice, said he encourages those with an opposing viewpoint to speak.

"The Democratic Party is overwhelmingly pro-choice, but those with a different view should have an opportunity to express their view on the floor of the convention," he said.

Even ardent anti-abortion advocates in Nevada acknowledge that Democrats have been more savvy than Republicans in downplaying the issue.

Janine Hansen, president of the anti-abortion Nevada Eagle Forum in Sparks, said pro-choice Democratic Party leaders have overshadowed what she suspects is a large percentage of anti-abortion Democrats among rank-and-file voters.

"I know there are a lot of pro-life Democrats because a lot of them crossed over and voted for (former President) Reagan," Hansen said.