At a dueling press conference, [Romney]'s abortion rights supporters, including Catharine Sibble, a national Republican abortion rights advocate, and state Sen. Lucile Hicks (R-Wayland), said they were satisfied Romney is sincere in his commitment and called for NARAL to stay out.

Asked about some of NARAL's particulars yesterday, Romney said he supports the codification of Roe v. Wade abortion rights as law. Romney said he supports requiring parental consent for minors to obtain an abortion, though he thinks the Massachusetts law, which requires two-parent consent (with a provision for judicial bypass), might be "extreme."

PHOTO; CAPTION:1. US Sen. [Edward M. Kennedy] examines a street map during a campaign swing yesterday in Salem. Mitt Romney, on the defensive for his abortion positions, called on his opponent to live up to a past pledge to disavow National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League tactics. / GLOBE STAFF PHOTO/WENDY MAEDA 2. Senate hopeful Mitt Romney shakes hands yesterday at a senior citizens housing complex in Quincy. / AP PHOTO