Florida Democrats were in the unusual position Friday afternoon of praising Governor Charlie Crist for his veto of HB 1143 the bill that included the controversial provision requiring an ultrasound for a pregnant woman in her first trimester, yet simultaneously criticizing him as being a phony when it came to the governor saying he is a supporter of abortion rights.
Democratic Senate candidate Kendrick Meek called the veto a "no-brainer" because he said it violated the rights of women, and emphasized his own voting record on choice, which he said was 100%, as did others who participated in a conference call, such as South Florida state Senator Nan Rich.
Rich said she was pleased with the veto but said HB 1143 " should never have seen the light of day in the first place," and said it was "appalling" that the Legislature had to deal with it at all, considering the myriad of problems the state has to contend with.
Nancy Soderberg, the former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in the Clinton administration and a Jacksonville resident, said on the conference call that it was important for voters not to be fooled by "last minute conversions," adding that "we don't want a Johnny-come-lately" when it comes to abortion rights for women.