Abortion: Kerrey, Fischer call each other 'extreme' Continued from Page 1 doesn't think exceptions should be made for victims, of either rape or incest. Fischer has the backing of the state's largest anti-abortion group, Nebraska Right to Life. She also is being supported by Americans United for Life, a Washington, D.C., group that sent out a direct mail piece this week accusing Kerrey of "extreme" abortion views. In addition, the Susan B. Anthony List - another antiabortion group - has launched $40,000 in radio ads against Kerrey in both Omaha and Lincoln. Kerrey rejects the idea that support for abortion rights is "extreme." In fact, he argues that Fischer's opposition to abortion for rape victims is the "extreme" position in the race. "If a woman is raped, the government is going to prevent her from aborting her pregnancy? There is nothing moderate in position whatever,"* said Kerrey. "This is a very difficult question for women, and I trust women to make it." Fischer said she has always opposed abortion, but she acknowledges that her views have changed over the years. When she first ran for the Legislature in 2004, she said she believed exceptions should be made for victims of rape and incest. filled the Nebraska Right However, in 2012, when she to Life questionnaire, Fischer made it clear that she no longer supported those exceptions. In •staking out that position, Fischer finds herself at odds with Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who backs the exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother. "Over the years, I personally reflected on my position on the life issue and reaffirmed my commitment to protect life," said Fischer, who noted in a written statement that she believes life begins at conception. She also said that if she is "extreme," then so are two other prominent Nebraska politicians, both of whom do not support exceptions for rape or incest victims: Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson and Republican Sen. Mike Johanns. She called Kerrey the race's extremist because of his past opposition to the "partial-birth" abortion ban. "My views on the issue are the same as Sen. Nelson's and Sen. Johanns," Fischer said. Kerrey acknowledged that his vote against the "partial-birth" ban was unpopular in some quarters, but he argued that it was the right thing to do. He noted that the Supreme Court later ruled the ban unconstitutional. "It's an unpopular vote, in part, because it was misunderstood," said Kerrey. "The Supreme Court has ruled explicitly it's not constitutional." Contact the writer: 402-444-1309, robynn.tysver@owh.com