Pat Shea and Stewart Hanson have thick issue papers on a wide range of subjects, but in Saturday's state Democratic convention many delegates will see one big difference between the two gubernatorial candidates - abortion.
"People who say choice (in abortion) is not an important issue seriously misread it. It is a gut issue to many this year," says Hanson, a former 3rd District judge and now private attorney."Yea," says Shea, almost as if he's tired of hearing about abortion. "It's the only issue he (Hanson) has. Absolutely it will hurt me (in the convention). But only in the convention."
Shea, a media attorney, is a Catholic who accepts Utah's new, tough anti-abortion law. (He'd have vetoed it, however, because of its criminal penalties.) The strongest pro-choice advocates in the state - a minority of Utahns - will be found in the Democratic convention, he believes. Once out of the convention, in a primary or general election, Shea says his abortion stand will be viewed more favorably.
Hanson says abortion is not his only issue; he ticks off a dozen more to prove it. But he knows it may be his best issue Saturday.
"(Abortion) is symbolic. As I've traveled this state there's a real feeling about how much government should invade our private lives," says Hanson, who opposes abortion personally but who wants women free to decide it them-selves.
Telling a woman whether she can or can't have an abortion - whether you approve of the act or not - is a real invasion into her private life, says Hanson. "Government is in our lives in many, many ways. This (abortion) is perhaps the best example now because people are focusing on it. But it is by no means the only case. However, to minimize the pro-choice mood (of either Utah Democrats or Americans) is a real mistake," Hanson adds.
Part of Shea's frustration is the way he believes he's been painted on the abortion issue. "I'm exactly like (U.S. Rep.) Wayne Owens (on abortion)." Owens has won a number of Democratic nominations, including the 1984 gubernatorial nomination, and so Shea says Utah Democrats shouldn't have a problem with his stand on abortion.
Shea said he's opposed to abortion except in cases of rape, incest, severe fetal deformity or the health of the mother. Health of the mother is to be determined by consultation with her doctor.
"He says he's the same as Wayne?" questions Hanson. "That's not what he's been saying all around the state" at county conventions. Yes it is, says Shea, he's never varied or sidestepped an abortion question.
Both Hanson and Shea predict neither will get 70 percent delegate support Saturday. Thus, there will be a Democratic primary between the two.
Shea, with the hard-line pro-choicers mixed into the general public, believes he will only gain strength in the primary and general election. Hanson will fade, he says. "He can't give a good speech. He speaks like a judge, with such authority - you shall, you shall not. That's not what the voters are looking for," says Shea. "He's been running for 11 months. I got in the race the end of February. He just hasn't caught on."
With almost a pained expression, Hanson says that's not so. "I won't comment on my opponent. I'm talking issues this campaign, only issues. I've traveled the whole state. More often I listen, not talk. I think that's what the voters do want - someone who will listen first and then reach a consensus will all parties. Then people will feel once again a part of their government."