Thrasher and Conservatives Hope Crist Will Sign Ultrasound Measure

Gov. Charlie Crist is hinting that he may veto a measure passed by the Legislature in the last days of the session requiring ultrasounds be performed for pregnant women considering abortions in the first trimester.

Conservatives are contacting the governor, encouraging him to sign the measure. Florida Right to Life and Florida Family Action, a group affiliated with the Florida Family Policy Council, are asking their backers to contact the governor.

Florida Republicans are also helping that the newly independent governor signs the measure.

It is a positive thing, said RPOF Chairman John Thrasher, a state senator from St. Augustine. Thrasher said the measure would protect women and unborn children. I hope the governor will evaluate it on the merits and not on politics.

Crist has stood on both sides of the abortion issue. When he ran against Bob Graham in 1998, Crist said he was pro-choice, but he drifted toward pro-life positions as his career progressed.