Elizabeth colbert busch abortion clinics

On Wednesday morning, ThinkProgress reported that a conservative group has been attempting to dissuade South Carolina voters from supporting Elizabeth Colbert Busch (D) in the state’s upcoming special election by placing misleading phone calls.

Sources told ThinkProgress that callers from an organization called “SSI Group” asked voters, among other things, “What would you think of Elizabeth Colbert Busch if I told you she had had an abortion?”

The polling company disputes this report, saying that the question about abortion violates their policy.

ThinkProgress is attempting to verify with another source. Regardless of whether that particular question was officially approved by SSI, however, it brings up an issue that continues to pervade our political process: the ongoing impact of abortion stigma.

Even if SSI didn’t ask that question, women’s personal experiences with abortion have certainly been used as a method of dissuading popular sup