Abortion Issue Hounds McCain

Hounded by Steve Forbes fans, it was Arizona Senator John McCainÂ's turn to be dogged on abortion, the issue Forbes used to sting George W. Bush in Iowa.

When asked what heÂ'd do if his 15-year-old daughter wanted to end a pregnancy, McCain said he opposed legalized abortion, but "it is a family decision. My daughter is a minor and that decision will be made by our entire family."

McCain looked as uncomfortable as Bush did when he was first pressed on abortion last week, reports CBS News Correspondent Bill Whitaker.

To social conservative Alan Keyes, who finished a surprisingly strong third in Iowa, McCain sounded pro-choice. To Forbes, it was fodder for Wednesday night's debate.

"Instead of saying one thing and then trying to avoid the issue or skirt the issue, be forthright," said Forbes, "explain why you believe what you believe."

Whether the issue that gripped Iowa will take root in New Hampshire is doubtful, but Bush wasnÂ't taking chances. He told supporters in the Granite State that heÂ's a rock-hard abortion foe. "I'm pro-life," he said

Both Bush and McCain tried to steer the day's discussion to whatÂ's clearly more comfortable ground: taxes. Bush pushed again for a big tax cut.

"I think itÂ's important to cut the taxes to keep the economy growing," Bush said. "I think it's important to give people their money back."

McCain said the surplus, now projected to be even bigger, could be put to better use. "I think we ought to take the bulk of the surplus that weÂ're now projecting and go ahead and pay down the debt."

While McCain was taking heat, Bush was getting a lift. He won the endorsement of Senator Orrin Hatch, who dropped out of the presidential race after finishing last in Iowa.

Now there are five Republican candidates. But according to the polls, it's a two-man race, with Governor Bush and Senator McCain running neck and neck.