Heath Shuler, Speaking Very Carefully

The new congressman from NC-11, parsing those words, threading that needle, in Christianity Today:

What is the best way to handle abortion politically?

I'm pro-life. We can talk about how we're going to vote and what we're going to do, and so many people are activists. Far too often it's about Democrats and Republicans and their views on that issue. We need to spend more time as Christians being part of the solution to make sure that women know there's someone here for you financially, there's someone here who will support you, and someone telling you they love you.

What legal measures do you support to reduce the number of abortions?

I don't think it's as much about legal measures. Our communities have to do better. Our churches have to do better. I think that's part of growing up in a community like I did. It was a small, very [tightly] knit group, and you knew people in your community and your church whom you could lean on and [who] would help you make these difficult decisions. Everyone wants to talk to us about legislation.