Sure, I'll weigh in!

I really wish you had used NARAL-VA's press release for this story rather than just what the WaPo wrote. Because you've missed the main points here.

NARAL-VA is working very hard to turn out pro-choice voters in Virginia's critical elections this year. NARAL-VA has endorsed Leslie Byrne, our Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Creigh Deeds, our Democratic candidate for Attorney General, and 35 other candidates for House of Delegates.

Since most of the anti-choice legislation is authored by and passes the House of Delegates, it is absolutely critical that pro-choice Virginians turn out this November to defeat radical opponents of reproductive freedom in the House. NARAL-VA is not sitting out this election just because they have not made an endorsement at the top of the ticket.

If you'd quote another part of the article, you'd see the NARAL-VA statement says, "we see more hope for the women of Virginia in Kaine's candidacy."

Tim Kaine has said definitively that he would veto any legislation that would ban abortion outright in Virginia. Jerry Kilgore, the Republican, supports a total ban on abortion except in the cases of rape and incest, and only then if the rape or incest is reported WITHIN 7 DAYS.

While Kaine does support all existing restrictions on access to abortion in Virginia, he has been very consistent in saying that he does not support criminalization of doctors and women.

The excerpt that you chose to include here is quite different in tone than the NARAL-VA statement. It implies that there's no difference between the candidates - that they're both equally "poor on choice".

I completely support NARAL-VA's decision to stay neutral for the Governor's race: a NARAL endorsement would mischaracterize Kaine's position on choice. But given that there is a 3rd candidate who is much stronger on abortion rights than Kaine (Potts, the independent Republican) it is very significant that NARAL-VA has chosen NEUTRALITY in this race rather than an endorsement of the independent candidate. It's a very practical and nuanced position, unlike the excerpt that you cited here.

I hope you'll clarify what NARAL-VA is doing -- we need all the help we can get from out of state pro-choice supporters who can help us defeat Jerry Kilgore, elect Leslie Byrne, elect Creigh Deeds, and who can help us defeat some of the most extreme opponents of reproductive freedom in the nation who are currently in the Virginia House of Delegates.

What you've written here doesn't fully communicate what NARAL-VA has decided to do. I'd suggest, perhaps, having Ann O'Hanlon write a blog post about all that NARAL-VA is doing to identify and turn out pro-choice voters in key House races (which will also help the top of the ticket).

NARAL-VA's neutrality in the Gov race (only one of many races in VA this November) does NOT mean that NARAL-VA thinks that all of the candidates are equal on choice, nor does it mean that NARAL-VA is sitting out this election. It's absolutely critical that pro-choice "federal" voters in Virginia turn out in November, and I'm afraid your headline and excerpt will encourage people to sit this one out.

Russ Potts, Independent candidate for Governor of Virginia, was not endorsed by NARAL because his chances for winning are slim. They are slim because few will recognize his candidacy as legitimate. If more organizations would endorse him, if he was allowed to debate Kaine and Kilgore, he just might win. He is a centrist, and believes in women's rights. Please do not ignore a candidate because he is not wearing the badge of one of the 2 major parties. Russ Potts is a breath of fresh air in Virginia politics. He is a self-made man who speaks his mind. Kilgore and Kaine both pander to the popular thought of the moment in order to garner votes. Russ Potts does not tailor his speeches depending on who is his audience. He speaks the truth even when it is unpopular with that audience.
Virginia finally has a candidate who believes women have the full right to control their bodies. Please don't ignore Potts. We need him more than ever. The Virginia General Assembly is hell bent on taking away as many of these rights as they possibly can. We need a Governor, with the right of veto, to protect our rights.
NARAL, endorse Russell Potts now.