Anti-abortion group tightens standards; GOP candidates respond

ATLANTA - Some Republicans who have always been opponents of abortion now find themselves without the support of Georgia&#39;s largest anti-abortion organization because they believe exceptions should be allowed in cases of rape or incest. <br> <br> Preserving the life of the mother is now the only exception recognized by Georgia Right to Life. <br> <br> ``We are thinking this is a positive because it brings out a higher level of commitment in candidates,&#39;&#39; said Daniel Becker, director of Georgia Right to Life&#39;s political action committee. <br> <br> Because of the policy change, some GOP candidates such as Linda Schrenko in the governor&#39;s race and Steve Stancil in the lieutenant governor&#39;s race will head into Tuesday&#39;s primary without the support of Georgia Right to Life. <br> <br> Others, including Rep. John Linder, have changed their position to conform with the organization&#39;s sole exception. <br> <br> ``I was disappointed,&#39;&#39; Stancil said. ``I&#39;ve always gotten their endorsement seven times.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The former state legislator noted that his position is the same as that of President Bush and former President Ronald Reagan. <br> <br> Some Republican leaders believe Georgia Right to Life&#39;s demands could jeopardize the long-term health of both the state GOP and the anti-abortion movement. <br> <br> They say that by pushing Republican candidates to a more extreme position in the primary election, the organization could weaken surviving candidates in the general election. <br> <br> ``I think they&#39;ve made a strategic mistake,&#39;&#39; said Senate Minority Leader Eric Johnson, who received the group&#39;s endorsement. <br> <br> Similar anti-abortion organizations in several other state&#39;s, including Michigan, have taken the same approach as Georgia Right to Life. <br> <br> The National Right to Life organization in Washington, which operates independently, has not. It will support national candidates who make allowances for abortion in cases of rape or incest. <br> <br> ``We take a pragmatic approach,&#39;&#39; spokeswoman Laura Echevarria said.