Mass. Dem. Senate hopefuls clash on abortion

NEEDHAM, Mass. -- A televised debate between the four Democratic candidates for the late Edward Kennedy's Senate seat turned personal during a clash on abortion rights.

Stephen Pagliuca said Rep. Michael Capuano and Attorney General Martha Coakley weren't reliable votes on health care because both said they would oppose the bill making its way through Congress if it included language limiting abortion access.

Coakley said as the only woman in the race the question of abortion is personal for her.

Capuano offered even sharper criticism Tuesday, saying Pagliuca would send poor women who couldn't afford abortion "back to the alleys of America."

Alan Khazei said he would reluctantly vote for the bill if it included the amendment.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)