One of the most divisive issues facing this country is abortion, and it looks to be a bump in the road to the White House for the Republican front runners, George W. Bush and Elizabeth Dole.

The National Abortion and Reproductive Rights League in Iowa and New Hampshire have placed two 30-second television ads to criticize the positions on abortion taken by Bush and Dole.

The ads bring up good points about the views of these two Presidential hopefuls — views that could hurt each of their chances to win the White House.

Bush is in favor of banning abortion, but says America is not ready for it yet. He has told the Associated Press he would support a constitutional amendment to ban abortion, except for circumstances threatening the life of the mother, rape or incest.

Dole will run into a major roadblock because of her stance. For Dole to successfully get the Republican nomination and become the first woman president, she must capture the women’s vote.

Her stance on abortion will severely hurt her chances and her ability to give a voice to women around the country.

Traditionally, women vote Democratic because of the party’s stance on the issues. The pro-choice stance on abortion is one of them.

Women do not historically vote for women strictly because the candidate is a woman. They vote, or should vote, on the issues that are facing them.

Abortion is one of the biggest issues in the minds of women voters, the very people Dole should be going after.

Dole was originally a Democrat and pro-choice, before she married her husband Bob Dole.

After her marriage she adopted his conservative views on abortion.

Many have described Dole as a strong woman, very capable of being an effective president, but her waffling on the issue of abortion raises serious questions.

Dole was originally in favor of a woman’s choice, but her swift flip-flop on this issue towards pro-life seems quite fishy.

If she had such a strong view before her marriage about abortion, why was she so willing to change it?

If Bob Dole’s stance on the issue changed her view so quickly, how effective would she be as a president?

If she can’t make up her mind about basic issues such as abortion, how will she make the harder decisions?

The extreme views of both Dole and Bush will likely backfire on them and the Republican Party.