Specter: Ease Abortion Plank

Former Republican presidential candidate Arlen Specter said Tuesday he would keep pushing to moderate the anti-abortion plank in his party’s national platform.

The Pennsylvania senator, who suspended his presidential bid three weeks ago, said he would be active on the issue during the Republican National Convention in San Diego next summer.

Specter said he thought prospects were good for relaxing the anti-abortion plank but acknowledged that removing the plank completely would be more difficult.

The GOP plank advocates outlawing abortion under all circumstances through a constitutional amendment. Specter wants to moderate the plank by making it clear that not all Republicans agree to those views.