In last November's elections, politicians placed a figurative gag rule on the discussion of abortion.

But, three months later, President Clinton's nomination of Dr. Henry Foster Jr. for surgeon general has resurrected the controversial issue into the national spotlight.

Foster, who is an obstetrician-gynecologist, originally announced that he had performed less than a dozen abortions but then elevated the number to 39. While some senators were dead set against Foster since his nomination because of his involvement with abortion, the change in numbers has provoked many others to question the Clinton administration's research.

But Robert O'Connor, associate professor of political science, said Clinton is not likely to succumb to pressures from his opposition.

"Unless something else comes out, (Clinton) will go ahead with the appointment," O'Connor said. "People who support him want him to show some strength and not back off every time one of these right-wingers says 'boo.' "

Despite the fact that people who are vehemently against abortion think that Foster is "morally despicable," O'Connor said the majority of Americans do not have a strong opinion.

"Probably most people feel somewhat in between," he said.

And even though members of both parties have called for Clinton to withdraw the nomination, O'Connor said the president will not suffer politically.

The people who dislike Clinton will continue to dislike him, he said, and the people who support him will say that the criticism of Foster has nothing to do with the job of surgeon general.

Regardless of their support for the president many people's feelings on abortion correspond to their opinions of Foster.

"I think it's a little insane that people have a problem with this man doing his job," said Ann Swinburn, co-director of Penn State Pro-Choice. "I don't think it's a moral or political controversy."

Yet, Swinburn said she believes abortion opponents are likely to persist until the president withdraws the nomination.

April Steppe, president of Penn State Students for Life, said she hopes the president reconsiders his choice.

"I don't feel that as surgeon general he would represent the majority of Americans' attitudes," Steppe said. Not only is the provision of abortions a problem, she said, but there is also the controversy of how many he performed.

Another aspect of the debate over Foster's nomination is the definition of a surgeon general's job.

Swinburn said a person filling the position should uphold the laws regarding abortion.

"The fact that abortion is legal in the United States right now means that a surgeon general needs to support that," she said.

But Steppe said Foster has had too much involvement in that controversial issue.

"With the nomination now, (Foster) was a provider of abortions," she said. "That is like an extreme."