Why is it controversial that he would oppose a federal ban on abortion?
With all the abortion debates here on Free Republic, many Freepers take the position that abortion is now properly a state issue, not a federal issue.
When Lindsey Graham proposed a federal abortion restriction last year, he was severely criticized here on Free Republic.
At the risk of getting too far off OP's topic, you're correct, of course: many of us do espouse that position, and in the absence of blanket federal protection, I would be among them (under the mantra of 'I'll take what I can get').
However, my personal strong preference is that the sanctity of life be enshrined in the Constitution, and I personally cringe when a candidate announces that he's going to (effectively) ignore the subject.
In any case, I was making a guess on what the Westbrook's objectionable topic was concerning Vivek... and that guess was incorrect... so y'all may resume your normal topic.