Even though the former Republican presidential candidate signed into law a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy – allowing no exceptions for cases of rape or incest – he followed up by blocking more restrictive pro-life legislation that would have banned aborting preborn babies once a heartbeat could be detected. As early as six weeks into gestation, a heartbeat can be monitored in preborn babies.

Kasich offered up an excuse for not signing the more restrictive bill while signing off on the 20-week ban.

“[The] heartbeat bill [is] clearly contrary [to the Supreme Court’s ruling on abortion],” Kasich contended, according to The Christian Post. “[The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act is the] best, most legally sound and sustainable approach to protecting the sanctity of human life.”

Show some backbone …

Not agreeing with Kasich’s explanation, Dobson was quick to respond to the governor’s passage and blockage of pro-life legislation.

“I want to congratulate the Ohio legislature for passing the ‘Heartbeat Bill,’ and I commend their commitment to protecting the constitutional rights of the unborn,” Dobson wrote in a statement posted on his website. “Now, I join with millions of Evangelicals and Catholics in condemning Gov. John Kasich’s veto of the bill.”

The founder of Focus on the Family regrets that Kasich chose to be politically correct instead of constitutionally correct.

“This was a cowardly and shameful action,” Dobson expressed in condemnation. “Signing the bill would have been the constitutionally correct thing to do; it would have also been morally correct to do.”

After watching Kasich touting pro-life convictions on the campaign trail, the president of Family Talk indicated that the politician’s veto demonstrates his hypocrisy.

“[Kasich’s veto shows he is not] as committed to life as he professes to be,” Dobson insisted.

He then motivated those standing for the sanctity of human life to continue to band together.

“For decades, we have fought for the rights of the unborn,” Dobson stated. “We have not grown weary, we have never lost faith, and now there is a growing movement to finally reject the barbarism of abortion and to fully protect the rights of the unborn.”

The pro-family activist went on to urge pro-life advocates to contact the governor’s office and voice their disappointment over his decision to block the heartbeat bill.

“This bill was an important step in that direction, and we mustn’t be silent in response to the Governor’s action,” Dobson continued. “This is the time to redouble all of our efforts nationwide until we will finally, fully win our fight for the rights of our nation’s unborn children.”

Defending Kasich

Ohio Right to Life President Mike Gonidakis took Kasich’s veto of the heartbeat bill differently, believing that it was a needed concession the governor made in a well-thought-out move to win the overall battle against abortion.

“Given the current make-up of the United States Supreme Court, Governor Kasich got it right by embracing the strategic incremental approach to ending abortion,” Gonidakis stated. “Pro-life Ohioans are proud to have his support as a supermajority of Republicans and Democrats within the General Assembly voted to support the 20-week ban. At no time in our state’s history have we had such protective pro-life laws, and we have Gov. Kasich and our pro-life legislature to thank.”

The pro-life leader argued that now is not the time to move forward with the protective bill – due to the Leftist climate of the Supreme Court, which he believes will shift Right after President-elect Donald Trump takes office next month.

“Ohio Right to Life supports Governor Kasich’s decision to bypass the heartbeat legislative approach at this time,” Gonidakis argued. “While it must have been difficult, the current makeup of a radically pro-abortion Supreme Court required the governor to exercise great restraint. Further, filling the current vacancy on the Court by our next President will still leave the court with a pro-abortion majority.”

No excuse …

Concerned Women for America CEO Penny Nance disagreed with Gonidakis, contending that Kasich put a monkey wrench in a pro-life legislative effort that will set the cause back and noting that the Left-leaning justices in the nation’s highest court do not provide an excuse for rejecting the bill.

“Gov. John Kasich’s decision to veto the heartbeat bill is extremely disappointing,” Nance lamented, according to The Christian Post. “We understand there are different approaches to advancing the pro-life cause, but many Ohioans worked extremely hard to pass this legislation. Gov. Kasich should have signed this bill and let the judicial process play out.

She maintained that the Ohio governor moved the pro-life movement a step backward, insisting that he assumed a judicial role he did not have by vetoing the bill.

“He tries to justify his decision by suggesting the legislation would not pass judicial scrutiny,” Nance continued. “However, it is not his role to act as a member of the judicial branch. It is a shame his veto casts a dark cloud over the victory of the 20-week ban in Ohio.”

The passage of the 20-week abortion ban makes Ohio the 18th state to adopt such legislation – which federal courts in Arizona and Idaho deemed unconstitutional.