To the Editor:
Re “Mike Pence’s Fantasy Running Mate” (editorial, Oct. 5):
I respectfully disagree that the discussion of abortion during Tuesday’s vice-presidential debate evidenced “deeply felt and carefully considered” positions on the issue held by both Gov. Mike Pence and Senator Tim Kaine.
“Deeply felt,” I agree, but “carefully considered”? Mr. Pence’s positions on abortion, reflected in his long crusade to criminalize the safe and common procedure nationwide, hardly fit that description. To so generously characterize [sic] them, even in passing as part of an otherwise worthy debate analysis, risks normalizing positions that are brazenly unconstitutional and profoundly damaging to the lives of women.
Personally, I see no sign that Mr. Pence or his running mate for the White House, Donald Trump, have seriously weighed that damage.
DOROTHY SAMUELS
New York
The writer, a former member of The New York Times’s editorial board, is a senior fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law.
Note from KBJ: The fetus could not be reached for comment.
