Romney Flip-Flopped On Abortion When He Ran For Senate, Governor, And President. According to Roll Call, “In his 1994 Senate race against Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), Romney proclaimed, ‘I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country.’ Eight years later, when running for governor of the Bay State, he said that while he did not favor abortion personally, as governor he would ‘protect the right of a woman to choose under the law of the country and the laws of the Commonwealth.’ More recently, as he’s moved toward a GOP presidential primary bid, Romney has described himself as pro-life.” [Roll Call, 1/26/06]
Gov. Rick Perry Said Romney’s Flip Flop on Abortion Stance Was For Political Convenience. According to ABC News, “Texas Gov. Rick Perry said Wednesday that Mitt Romney changed his position on legalized abortion out of political convenience, one of the sharpest allegations leveled yet in the South Carolina GOP presidential primary. […] ‘This is a decision that Gov. Romney made for political convenience, not an issue of his heart,’ Perry said. Perry has shifted his own views on abortion somewhat. He recently said he no longer supports legal abortions in cases of rape and incest. ‘If you’re going to be pro-life,’ he said Wednesday, ‘then you’ve got to be pro-life all the way.’” [ABC News, 01/19/12]
Romney: “I Changed My Position On Abortion Back When I Was Governor.” During an interview with Sean Hannity, Romney said “I changed my position on abortion back when I was governor. The first time a piece of legislation reached my desk that dealt with the issue of life and abortion. I came down on the side of life. I wrote an op-ed and said, I’m firmly pro life. I simply cannot support a piece of legislation, which would have created new embryos for the purpose of testing them and destroying them so I came down on the side of life while I was governor some years ago.” [Fox News Network, 11/21/11]
Romney Called For The GOP To Remain The Pro-Life Party; Should Work To Change Hearts And Minds Of Pro-Choice Americans. According to National Review Online, “The Republican party is and should remain the pro-life party and work to change hearts and minds and create a culture of life where every child is welcomed and protected by law and the weakest among us are protected. I understand there are people of good faith on both sides of the issue. They should be able to make and advance their case in democratic forums with civility, mutual respect, and confidence that our democratic process is the best place to handle these issues.” [National Review Online, 12/14/06]
Ryan Claimed Romney’s Position On Abortion Was Consistent With His And Had Not Changed. According to Politico, “On the day before the Vice Presidential debate, Paul Ryan told reporters here in St. Petersburg, Fla. that he wasn’t disappointed by statements that Mitt Romney made to the Des Moines Register, and that his position and Romney’s are ‘unified.’ ‘Our position’s unified. Our position is consistent and hasn’t changed,’ Ryan told a reporter outside a local ice cream shop here when asked to describe the position between his beliefs and his running mate’s. ‘What is your position,’ the reporter asked Ryan. ‘I’m sure you will find that out in these debates,’ Ryan responded. Asked later whether he was ‘disappointed’ by Romney’s statement that he would not pursue abortion-related legislation if elected president, Ryan said: ‘No, No. Look, no positions have changed, our position is very consistent.’ Ryan’s personal position has been different than the one he has cited on the trail as Romney’s, noting that the top of the ticket sets policy. But it is just one of many areas that Joe Biden is likely to highlight when the two debate tomorrow in Kentucky.” [Politico, 10/10/12]
2012: Romney Said He Always Personally Opposed Abortion Rights When Asked About His Changing Stance. According to CBS News, “Mitt Romney suggested during a Republican presidential debate Monday night that he has always personally opposed abortion rights. Asked to show he wouldn’t change positions in the future, Romney responded: ‘You know, the issue where I change my mind, which obviously draws a lot of attention was that when I was running for governor, I said I would leave the law in place as it related to abortion. And I thought I could go in that narrow path between my personal belief and letting government stay out of the issue.’” [CBS News, 01/16/12]
Romney Defended His Pro-Life Stance, Saying Protection Of Life Principle Was “Not Temporary.” According to Associated Press, Romney insisted “he is ‘pro-life’ and said he’s raising the issue on the campaign trail to counter his rivals’ attacks. ‘I understand that there are some attack ads coming my way that question’ his commitment to life, Romney told reporters gathered at a motorcycle dealership in Greer, S.C. ‘Obviously it’s important for me to remind people that I’m pro-life.’ Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s campaign is running ads in South Carolina attacking Romney for changing his position on abortion. […] ‘I’m convinced that the principles of opportunity, and freedom and the protection of life were not temporary but are permanent,’ Romney said […].” [Associated Press, Newsday, 01/12/12]
2011: Romney Would “Make Sure The Progress…To Protect Human Life Would Not Be Progress That Is Reversed” As President. According to The Hill, “Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney worked to boost his social conservative credentials during an appearance on Mike Huckabee’s Fox News program on Saturday. ‘I’d make sure the progress that’s been made to provide for life and to protect human life would not be progress that is reversed,’ said Romney, responding to Huckabee’s request for assurances that religious voters could trust him to be a ‘pro-life president.’” [The Hill, 10/2/11]
Romney Wrote That He Was “Unapologetically Pro-Life.” In his book “No Apology” Mitt Romney wrote “We have long respected life, at its beginning and at its end. In part, this is the product of our Judeo-Christian heritage, which teaches that we are created in the image of God. And while almost all Americans profess respect for life, the subject of abortion has been a difficult issue for our country, for a variety of reasons. The debate over abortion puts two of our fundamental values in conflict: our respect for life and our love of personal freedom. Arguments in support of abortion generally revolve around the right of a mother to make decisions about her own body. But in any decision about whether to end a pregnancy, we must remember that two lives are involved, and on this point, courts have been long and conspicuously silent. Because the fact is that two lives, not one, are involved, I am unapologetically pro-life. Both mother and child are human beings, but only one does not yet have a voice to defend itself.” [“No Apology” 2011 Pg. 281]
Romney: I Am Pro-Life. Romney wrote in an op-ed, “I understand that my views on laws governing abortion set me in the minority in our Commonwealth. I am prolife. I believe that abortion is the wrong choice except in cases of incest, rape, and to save the life of the mother. I wish the people of America agreed, and that the laws of our nation could reflect that view.” [OP-ED, Boston Globe, 7/26/05]
Romney Reaffirmed His Stance Against Abortion at Right to Life Conference. According to the AP State & Local Wire, “At the National Right to Life Conference, Romney tried to convince the audience that although he promised to uphold abortion-rights laws as governor of Massachusetts, he was always personally opposed to abortion and will no longer protect the issue. He said ‘‘I know that it is not time but conviction that unites us. I proudly follow a long line of converts -- George Herbert Walker Bush, Henry Hyde and Ronald Reagan, to name a few. I am evidence that your work, that your relentless campaign to promote the sanctity of human life, bears fruit….My experience as governor taught me firsthand that the threat to our culture is real. When responsibility for life or ending life was placed in my hands, I made the right decision.’’ As reported in the Topeka-Capital Journal, Romney was politely received but was overshadowed by rival Brownback who has a strong history as a pro-life candidate.” [The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 6/16/07]
2011: Romney Said People Understand That He Is Firmly Pro Life. Romney said during the CNN GOP Debate, “People have had a chance to look at my record and look what I’ve said as -- as I’ve been through that last campaign. I believe people understand that I’m firmly pro-life. I will support justices who believe in following the Constitution and not legislating from the bench. And I believe in the sanctity of life from the very beginning until the very end.” [CNN Rushed Transcript, NH GOP Presidential Debate, 6/13/11 ]
Romney Claimed He Never Called Himself Pro-Choice. On Imus in the Morning, Romney said, “You know, I never really called myself pro-choice. But I did say when I was running for governor that I would keep the law as it was.” [Imus In The Morning, 3/9/10]
Romney Did Not Wish To Be Labeled Pro-Choice. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, “It is an issue that could seal the fate of any aspiring Republican politician in conservative Utah. ‘I do not wish to be labeled pro-choice,’ Romney wrote this week in a letter to the editor of The Salt Lake Tribune. ‘I have never felt comfortable with the labels associated with the abortion issue. Because the Olympics is not about politics, I plan to keep my views on political issues to myself.’” [Salt Lake Tribune, 7/11/01]
Romney Labeled “Great Pretender” By NARAL. According to the Washington Post, “The Great Pretenders? That’s what NARAL is calling six Republicans -- Sens. Paul Coverdell (Ga.) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (Tex.), New York gubernatorial candidate George Pataki, and Senate candidates J. Marshall Coleman (running as an independent) in Virginia, Rep. Michael Huffington in California and Mitt Romney in Massachusetts -- for ‘pretending they’re pro-choice, when they’re really no choice.’” [Washington Post, 10/14/94]
Romney Claimed He Was Pro-Life And Wanted To Leave His Abortion Position “At That.” According to the Associated Press, Romney said, “I’m pro-life; it would be great if we could just leave it at that.” [Associated Press, 10/4/07]
2011: When Asked If There Was Positions He Reconsidered Romney Said Abortion. While speaking at the Nashua Telegraph Editorial Board Mitt Romney had this exchange: ‘Moderator: have there been any positions that you’ve reconsidered? Romney: I, I mentioned, uh, um abortion. Which is, uh, having run, when I ran for governor I said I wouldn’t change the law. That was effectively a pro-choice position. I changed to being adamantly pro-life, uh, the first time a piece of legislation reached my desk that dealt with that issue. And I believe I have followed that commitment fully, uh, ever since that time.’ [The Nashua Telegraph Editorial Board, 11/21/11]
Romney’s Friend Said Pro-Choice Stance Was “Carefully Crafted Position” Because He Was Running In Massachusetts And Wouldn’t Have Had A Chance As A Pro-Life Candidate. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, “Asked about Romney’s stand in favor of legal abortion during his unsuccessful 1994 campaign against Massachusetts Sen. Edward ‘Ted’ Kennedy, Gardner said that was a carefully crafted position intended to sound more firm than it was. ‘He was running against Ted Kennedy in a state that was 80 percent pro-choice and to have any chance at all, he was waffling,’ said Gardner.” [Salt Lake Tribune, 7/11/01]
Romney Said His Previous Support For Abortion Was His Biggest Mistake. According to the Boston Globe, “Romney, when asked about his biggest mistake, discussed his regret for his public support for abortion in his 1994 campaign for Senate and his 2002 run for governor. Romney said he was personally pro-life throughout his career, but said he regretted stating his support for upholding the laws that allow abortion. Romney continued, ‘I was prochoice. I am prolife. I never said I was prochoice, but my position was effectively prochoice. I’ve changed my position.’” [Boston Globe, 8/6/07]
Romney Changed Position on Abortion, Praised By Conservatives. According to the Boston Globe, “‘I’m very happy when I see people of high position coming around, and I think he is coming around,’ said Joseph M. Scheidler, national director of the Pro-Life Action League, a Chicago-based organization that claims 6,000 members. ‘I think he doesn’t really want to be identified as prochoice, as he used to be.’” [Boston Globe, 6/6/05]
Romney Was Pro-Choice Before He Was Pro-Life. According to Politico, Romney said, “I was effectively pro-choice before I became pro-life. I don’t think anyone questions the commitment on the part of those other gentlemen for pro-life principles. And, in my case, you don’t have to take my word for it. You can look at my record as governor, because I made the move to pro-life some time ago. I’ve been governor. I’ve had several bills that came to my desk that raised the question of abortion or life, and I came down on the side of respecting the sanctity of human life every time.” [Politico, 2/25/07]
Romney Told Reporters His Views on Abortion Have Changed and That He Was Firmly “Pro-Life.” According to the Washington Times, “Romney told reporters that his views on abortion have changed, because of research into stem cells, and as a result, he now thinks ‘life begins at conception.’ Romney went on to say, ‘I am firmly pro-life. Each state should able to adopt its own policies with regard to abortion and choice.’” [Washington Times, 1/27/06]
Romney’s Position On Abortion Believed To Have Evolved To Pro-Life To Please Conservatives. According to The State, “Romney said what changed him was the focus on stem cell research. ‘I studied it long and hard. And when I came out of the process, I said I would not support embryo farming or embryo cloning for research or anything. I’m pro-life. So, the issue is settled.’ Skeptics suggest that he did an about face on the abortion issue because he knew he was going to run for the presidency in 2008 and needed to reach out to conservative Christians, who make up a large part of the GOP base.’” [The State, 2/24/06]
2011: Romney Repeated A Mistake From 2007 And Said That President George W. Bush Was At One Point Pro Choice. According to Politico, “Back in his 2007 campaign, Mitt Romney had to walk back a comment he made about George W. Bush’s stand on abortion and whether it had changed after minor dustup over it, as Mike Allen reported at the time. Romney said at the time, in explaining his own position shift on abortion, that other Republicans had done the same: “Ronald Reagan was pro-choice, and became pro-life. I understand that George W. Bush was pro-choice before he came pro-life. Zell Miller was pro-choice before pro-life. And I was effectively pro-choice before I became pro-life. I don’t think anyone questions the commitment on the part of those other gentlemen for pro-life principles. And, in my case, you don’t have to take my word for it. You can look at my record as governor, because I made the move to pro-life some time ago. I’ve been governor. I’ve had several bills that came to my desk that raised the question of abortion or life, and I came down on the side of respecting the sanctity of human life every time.” As Mike wrote, the White House said that the 43rd president had always been pro-life. Romney’s camp back then pinned it on a National Review article that said “George W. Bush ran as a pro-choice politician in his 1978 congressional campaign.” But Romney made the same line about George W. Bush in his Fox News interview with Bret Baier tonight, in which he suggested the only real position shift he’d had was on abortion: “But one place I changed my mind - which was with regards to the government’s role relating to abortion. I am pro-life. I did not take that position years ago. And that’s the same change that occurred with Ronald Reagan, with George W. Bush, with some of the leaders in the pro-life movement.” A Romney source, when I asked about the remark, claimed he was actually referring to George H.W. Bush tonight.” [Politico, 11/29/11]
Romney Explained His Changed Position On Abortion In South Carolina. According to the Associated Press, “Romney wraps up a two-day presidential primary swing through South Carolina on Tuesday after picking up endorsements and explaining his changed views on abortion. … Romney said for years he was ‘effectively pro-choice’ because a family member died in an illegal abortion in the 1960s. But he changed his mind in part because of a discussion about stem cell research with Harvard University leaders in which one of them said destroying an embryo at 14 days isn’t a moral issue. ‘It struck me very powerfully at that point that the Roe v. Wade approach has so cheapened the value of human life that somebody could think it’s not a moral issue to destroy embryos,’ Romney said.” [Associated Press, 1/30/07]
1994: Romney Said His Pro Choice Stance Was Because Of The Death Of Relative From An Illegal Abortion. According to Salon, “In a 1994 Senate debate with Ted Kennedy, Mitt Romney revealed a startling chapter from his past: A close relative had died many years earlier in a botched illegal abortion, shaping Romney’s stance in favor of safe and legal access to abortion for all women. But in the many years since that revelation, even as Romney flipped his position and became an ardent opponent of legal abortion, the details of his young relative’s story, including even her name, have never been reported. The relative he was referring to back in ‘94, Salon has learned, was a Detroit woman named Ann Keenan. She was the sister of Romney’s brother-in-law and died at the age of 21 in 1963, a full decade before Roe v. Wade. While much of what happened remains murky, an investigation by Salon has uncovered never-reported details about her life and death, including: how she died (an infection); that her grief-stricken parents asked for memorial donations to be made to Planned Parenthood; and that the family apparently wanted to keep the death quiet because Romney’s politically ambitious father, George, was then governor of Michigan.” [Salon, 8/8/11]
2006: Romney Said His Position On Abortion Has Evolved Because Of Stem Cell Research He Has Done. On Fox News, Romney said, “Well, we had a major issue in Massachusetts, and it surrounded stem cell research. I spent a lot of time talking with people scientific in background as well as religious and spent a lot of time understanding when it was that as a society we needed to respect human life and came to the conclusion that it’s time to be very clear on that, that when conception occurs that human life has begun. I’m not talking about religious definitions, but scientific definitions -- and that to respect human life, we have to do so from conception. And therefore, I indicated I am pro-life and will respect the rights of human life.” [Fox News Channel, ‘Fox News Sunday,’ 2/26/06]
Romney Took “Prominent U-Turn” On Abortion, Risking The Revival That Romney Stood For Nothing. According to Politico, “For the third time in a week, Mitt Romney has taken a prominent U-turn on something that’s supposed to be a matter of fundamental principles. This time, he tacked back to the center on abortion — risking reviving the original and potentially most damaging rap against Romney: He stands for nothing… So far, at least, conservatives don’t seem to care. Just as they cheered his debate performance, they’re happy now because he’s looking more like he can win. But the recent shifts raise the danger that Romney will once again be battling the charge that he doesn’t stand for anything. Already, the Obama campaign is resurrecting the attack — largely abandoned earlier this year — that Romney lacks a core.” [Politico, 10/10/12]
Romney’s Campaign Released Ad To Appeal To Women Holding Moderate Views On Reproductive Issues. According to The New York Times, “Mitt Romney’s campaign, in an effort to appeal to women who hold more moderate views on reproductive issues, is releasing a new commercial that highlights his support for contraception and abortion in limited circumstances. ‘You know, those ads say Mitt Romney would ban all abortions and contraception seemed a bit extreme, so I looked into it,’ says a woman identified as Sarah Minto, who is shown on camera searching on Google for ‘Romney on abortion.’ Ms. Minto adds: ‘It turns out Romney doesn’t oppose contraception at all. In fact, he thinks abortion should be an option in cases of rape, incest or to save a mother’s life.’ The ad is Mr. Romney’s most aggressive attempt to rebut attempts by the Obama campaign to paint him as extreme on women’s rights… Mr. Romney’s advisers have long said that they believed the election would turn on the economy, and that is where Ms. Minto ends her statement in the ad. ‘I’m more concerned about the debt our children will be left with,’ she says as she looks into the camera. ‘I voted for President Obama last time. We just can’t afford 4 more years.’” [The New York Times, 10/16/12]
Romney Had A Television Ad Rebutting Charges That Romney Took Extreme Positions On Abortion And Contraception. According to National Journal, “A new television ad set to air from the Romney campaign tries to rebut charges from President Obama that the former Massachusetts governor has taken ‘extreme’ stances on abortion and contraception. In the ad, a woman identified as Sarah Minto, speaking to the camera, says ‘You know, those ads saying Mitt Romney would ban all abortions and contraception seemed a bit extreme, so I looked into it.’ The ad shows her turning to Google for answers. ‘Turns out, Romney doesn’t oppose contraception at all. In fact, he thinks abortion should be an option in cases of rape, incest or to save a mother’s life.’ Last week, Romney worried abortion foes when he told the Des Moines Register, ‘there’s no legislation with regards to abortion that I’m familiar with that would become part of my agenda.’ The campaign later clarified that statement. Romney has also said he would end government funding for Planned Parenthood. Romney has struggled to connect with women voters, though recent polling has suggested he has closed the wide gap Obama once held.” [National Journal, 10/17/12]
Romney Said No Abortion Legislation Would Become Part Of His Agenda. According to Politico, “He first tested how far he can stray from party orthodoxy on taxes and health care by dangling the promise of being able to beat President Barack Obama. Then, on Tuesday, Romney told The Des Moines Register that ‘there’s no legislation with regards to abortion that I’m familiar with that would become part of my agenda.’ At a time when Romney’s family is urging his campaign to ‘let Mitt be Mitt,’ the rush of recent reversals suggests that moderate Mitt is the one he’s most comfortable with — as conservatives long feared — a problem for a candidate who spent a year and a half taking hard-line stances he needed to win the Republican nomination.” [Politico, 10/10/12]
Romney’s Campaign Denied Romney Contradicted Himself On Abortion. According to Des Moines Register Editorial Board, “Romney has said he opposes abortion, except in instances of rape, incest and when the mother’s life is threatened. The Obama campaign quickly seized on Romney’s abortion comments Tuesday, sending out a news release accusing Romney of contradicting himself because he has said he would appoint Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade. Obama’s Iowa spokeswoman, Erin Seidler argued that Romney contradicted himself because has said he supports the Hyde Amendment, which broadly bars the use of federal funds for abortions. However, the Hyde Amendment is already part of current law. And Romney has said he would appoint justices who are not activist judges. Romney aides rejected the idea that he contradicted himself. Spokeswoman Andrea Saul said: ‘Mitt Romney is proudly pro-life and will be a pro-life president.’” [Des Moines Register Editorial Board, 10/9/12]
1994: Romney Believed Abortion Should Be “Safe And Legal” In The U.S. And Supported Sustaining Roe V. Wade. According to CNN, “Mitt Romney 10 years ago outlining the position on abortion…he was saying then what he had been saying back in 1994 when he was running for the U.S. Senate against Ted Kennedy as a progressive Republican. … Romney: ‘I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country. And I have since my mom took that position when she ran in 1970 as a U.S. Senate candidate. I believe that since Roe v. Wade has been the law for 20 years that we should sustain and support it.’” [CNN, 2/10/12]
1994: Romney Said He Would Leave Abortion In Massachusetts “Safe, Legal, And Free For Someone Who Can’t Afford It.” According to the Boston Herald, “The two differed over whether they would require the states to provide public funding for abortion, with Lakian saying he would and Romney saying he would leave that decision up to the states. ‘In Massachusetts, it is safe, legal and free for someone who can’t afford it,’ Romney noted.” [Boston Herald, 5/27/94]
Romney In 2002: “I Will Preserve And Protect A Woman’s Right To Choose.” According to the Associated Press, “Let me make this very clear: I will preserve and protect a woman’s right to choose,” Romney said. [Associated Press, 10/2/02]
Romney In Gubernatorial Debate: I Do Not Take The Position Of A Pro-Life Candidate. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, “‘I’m here right now, and I can tell you I do not take the position of a pro-life candidate,’ Romney told O’Brien in last week’s final TV debate. ‘Protecting a woman’s right to choose, I’ve been very clear on that.’” [Salt Lake Tribune, 11/4/02 - Video]
Romney Spokesperson: Romney “Believes That Abortion Should Be Legal, And Wouldn’t Seek To Change That.” According to the Boston Herald, “Romney is running as a supporter of the 1973 Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion, but opposes the proposed codification of Roe, the Freedom of Choice Act. Romney also opposes public funding of abortion except in cases where pregnancy is the result of rape or incest or threatens the life of the mother. ‘He believes that abortion should be legal, and wouldn’t seek to change that,’ said Romney campaign spokeswoman Ann Murphy.” [Boston Herald, 5/11/94]
Romney Friend Said Romney Told Him That He Is Not Pro-Choice. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, “Romney allies in recent days also contacted news media organizations to challenge the ‘pro-choice’ description of Romney used in a recent Tribune story exploring his political prospects in Utah or Massachusetts. ‘That upset him to be characterized as pro-choice,’ said Kem Gardner, a developer, political activist and Romney friend. ‘He has told me he is not pro-choice.’”[Salt Lake Tribune, 7/11/01]
Romney Told Mayor Rocky Anderson Of Salt Lake City That He Was Pro Choice. The Daily Beast reported, “Romney made no secret about his gubernatorial ambitions, and the two would occasionally talk politics. It was during these conversations that Romney revealed himself to Anderson as the socially moderate Republican who would go on to win the governorship in deep-blue Massachusetts. In fact, Anderson recalls one conversation during which Romney explicitly told him he was pro-choice, that Roe v. Wade was ‘settled law,’ and that as far as he was concerned, the legal debate over abortion was over. (Romney now says states should determine their own abortion laws, and not be ruled by ‘judicial mandate’).” [The Daily Beast, 8/19/11]
1994: Romney Campaign Spokeswoman Says Romney Believes Abortion Should Be Legal. According to the Boston Herald, “Romney is running as a supporter of the 1973 Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion, but opposes the proposed codification of Roe, the Freedom of Choice Act. Romney also opposes public funding of abortion except in cases where pregnancy is the result of rape or incest or threatens the life of the mother. ‘He believes that abortion should be legal, and wouldn’t seek to change that,’ said Romney campaign spokeswoman Ann Murphy.” [Boston Herald, 5/11/94]
1994: Romney Said His Support Of Abortion Rights Goes Back To 1970. According to the Boston Globe, “Speaking after an campaign event in Weymouth, Romney said his record of supporting abortion rights dates back to his mother’s 1970 Michigan campaign for the US Senate, three years before Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court case legalizing abortion. ‘I don’t think it’s NARAL’s position to say who’s pro-choice and who’s not pro-choice,’ Romney said. ‘I joined my mother in 1970 when she said she was in favor of legalizing abortion. I guess they’d say she wasn’t pro-choice because we didn’t have those items to vote for.’” [Boston Globe, 10/12/94]
Romney First Committed To Legalized Abortion in Late 1960s. According to the Boston Herald, “Republican Senate challenger Mitt Romney disclosed last night that he became committed to legalized abortion after a relative died during an illegal abortion. The Romney campaign later said that the relative was the sister-in-law of Romney’s sister, who died in the late 1960s as a result of the botched abortion.” [Boston Herald, 10/26/94]
Romney Said He Had Been Pro-Choice Since 1970. According to the Boston Globe, “Speaking after an campaign event in Weymouth, Romney said his record of supporting abortion rights dates back to his mother’s 1970 Michigan campaign for the US Senate, three years before Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court case legalizing abortion. ‘I don’t think it’s NARAL’s position to say who’s pro-choice and who’s not pro-choice,’ Romney said. ‘I joined my mother in 1970 when she said she was in favor of legalizing abortion. I guess they’d say she wasn’t pro-choice because we didn’t have those items to vote for.’” [Boston Globe, 10/12/94]
Romney Reaffirmed His Support For Abortion Exceptions In The Case Of Rape, Incest, Or To The Mother’s Health. According to Talking Points Memo, “Romney also reaffirmed his view that abortion should be legal in the case of rape, incest and when the health of the mother is at stake, a view that puts him to the left of his party’s platform (which is silent on any exceptions to an abortion ban) and his running mate (who opposes all abortion except in some cases where the mother’s health is on the line). Romney is anxious to change the subject, though (he acknowledged on Sunday that the Akin fallout has hurt the GOP’s standing among women), and told CBS that the idea that abortion is on the ballot this fall is a straw man thrown up by his political opponents.” [Talking Points Memo, 8/27/12]
The Romney-Ryan Ticket Would Not Oppose Abortion In The Case Of Rape. According to Talking Points Memo, “Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign sought to distance itself from Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) Sunday after Akin said women who are victims of what he called ‘legitimate rape’ can potentially prevent pregnancy because ‘the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.’ In a brief statement late Sunday night, the Romney campaign said it does not share Akin’s view, nor will the Romney-Ryan ticket govern in keeping with his belief that abortion should be illegal even in the case of rape and incest. Akin himself later tried to back away from the comments. ‘Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan disagree with Mr. Akin’s statement,’ the Romney campaign said in statement. ‘A Romney-Ryan administration would not oppose abortion in instances of rape.’ The position is somewhat consistent for Romney, who has said he favors making abortion illegal except in the case of rape, incest or ‘to save the life of the mother.’ Before he ran for president in 2008, Romney ran as a pro-choice Republican in Massachusetts.” [Talking Points Memo, 8/19/12]
Romney Said A Romney-Ryan Administration “Would Not Oppose Abortion In Instances Of Rape.” According to CNN, “A spokeswoman for Mitt Romney wrote late Sunday that the presumptive GOP presidential nominee and his running mate, U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, did not share Rep. Todd Akin’s sentiments on rape. ‘Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan disagree with Mr. Akin’s statement, and a Romney-Ryan administration would not oppose abortion in instances of rape,’ Romney campaign spokeswoman Amanda Henneberg wrote.” [CNN, 8/20/12]
Romney Said He Opposed Abortion Except In The Case Of Rape, Incest Or To Save The Life Of The Mother And Did Not Support Gay Marriage. According to the Seacoast Online, Mitt Romney “…opposes abortion, except in the case of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. He believes homosexuals should not face discrimination in the workplace but does not support same-sex marriage. [Seacoast Online, 11/4/11]
Romney Opposed Federal Funding For Abortion Except When Preganancies Resulted From Rape Or Incest. According to The Boston Herald, “Romney has said he supports Roe v. Wade, the landmark case establishing a woman’s right to an abortion, though he does not favor federal funding of abortions except where the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest or threatens the life of the mother. ‘(It) has been the law of the land for over 20 years, and I do not want to change it, overturn it, reverse it. I want it to remain the law of the land,’ Romney said of Roe v Wade.” [Boston Herald, 5/19/94]
Romney Believed That Abortion Is The Wrong Choice Except In Cases Of Incest, Rape, And To Save The Life Of The Mother. Romney wrote in an op-ed, “I understand that my views on laws governing abortion set me in the minority in our Commonwealth. I am prolife. I believe that abortion is the wrong choice except in cases of incest, rape, and to save the life of the mother. I wish the people of America agreed, and that the laws of our nation could reflect that view.” [OP-ED, Boston Globe, 7/26/05]
Romney Said Abortion Rights Issues Were “Mostly Outside” The Purview Of The President While Deflecting Questions About Akin. According to Talking Points Memo, “Attempting once again to deflect questions about abortion rights raised in the wake of Todd Akin and the draft GOP platform, Mitt Romney suggested to CBS News Monday that abortion rights are mostly outside the president’s purview… ‘Recognize this is the decision that will be made by the Supreme Court,’ Romney told CBS. ‘The Democrats try and make this a political issue every four years, but this is a matter in the courts. It’s been settled for some time in the courts.’ …Abortion rights advocates say the idea that the president has no power over abortion issues is an attempt by Romney to sweep an uncomfortable political issue under the rug. ‘For Mitt Romney not to know is either disingenuous or flat-out stupid,’ said Beth Shipp, policy director at NARAL. ‘I can’t decide which one he’s trying to be at this point because lord knows he’s been all over the map on our issue, and every other issue.’ NARAL prepared a document at the start of the cycle that details what a president can do about abortion access. One example is the so-called ‘global gag rule,’ which denies federal funding to family planning groups that work with abortion services around the world. President George W. Bush reinstated the rule within days of being sworn in; President Obama eliminated it days after his inauguration.” [Talking Points Memo, 8/27/12]
A Reporter Said Romney’s Campaign Instructed Her Not To Ask Questions About Abortion Or Todd Akin. According to The Huffington Post, “A Denver reporter granted a one-on-one interview with Mitt Romney Thursday said she was instructed not to ask him any questions about abortion or Rep. Todd Akin’s (R-Mo.) controversial comments about victims of ‘legitimate rape.’ Shaun Boyd, a reporter for Denver CBS affiliate KCNC, was one of four local reporters to speak with Romney, according to the newscast. She said on air that the Romney campaign had set pre-conditions before allowing her to interview the candidate. ‘You know, I had about five minutes with him, and we got through a fair amount of material, actually, in that five minutes,’ Boyd said on-air. ‘The one stipulation to the interview was that I not ask him about abortion or Todd Akin…I did ask him about health care, the female vote, and energy.’” [The Huffington Post, 8/23/12]
Romney Said Akin’s “Legitimate Rape” Comment Was Inexcusable And Offensive And Called On Akin To Correct It. According to National Review Online, “In a phone interview this morning, Mitt Romney told National Review Online that Representative Todd Akin’s recent comment on rape is ‘inexcusable.’ ‘Congressman’s Akin comments on rape are insulting, inexcusable, and, frankly, wrong,’ Romney said. ‘Like millions of other Americans, we found them to be offensive.’ Akin, the Republican Senate nominee from Missouri, controversially claimed on Sunday that a woman’s body can block an unwanted pregnancy. ‘If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut the whole thing down,’ Akin said in an interview with KTVI-TV. ‘I have an entirely different view,’ Romney said. ‘What he said is entirely without merit and he should correct it.’” [National Review Online, 8/20/12]
Romney Said Akin’s Comment Was Not Something Romney Could Defend And Romney And Ryan Would Not Defend Akin. According to WMUR, “Presumptive Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney called comments about rape made by a Republican Senate candidate indefensible during an interview Monday with News 9. Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin received widespread criticism when he said he believed that women were unlikely to become pregnant if they were the victims of ‘legitimate rape.’ The comments were made when Akin was discussing his opposition to abortion. Romney stopped short of saying Akin should drop out of the race, but he made it clear that Akin shouldn’t expect his support if he stays in. ‘He should understand that his words with regards to rape are not words that I can defend, that we can defend, or that we can defend him,’ Romney said.” [WMUR, 8/20/12]
Romney Campaign Said A Romney-Ryan Administration Would Not Oppose Abortion In Cases Of Rape. According to the Huffington Post, “In response to Rep. Todd Akin’s (R-Mo.) inflammatory comment on Sunday that ‘legitimate rape’ victims rarely get pregnant and therefore do not need abortions, Mitt Romney’s campaign said that he and running mate Paul Ryan support abortion rights for rape victims. ‘Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan disagree with Mr. Akin’s statement, and a Romney-Ryan administration would not oppose abortion in instances of rape,’ Andrea Saul, a Romney spokesperson, told The Huffington Post.” [Huffington Post, 8/19/12]
Major Garrett: Romney’s Campaign Was “Nervous” To Talk About Ryan’s “More Extreme” Position On Abortion. According to CBS News, “National Journal correspondent Major Garrett said comments by Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo., regarding abortion and ‘forcible rape,’ make the Romney campaign ‘more nervous’ about a conversation they already want to avoid. ‘Democrats...are going to make the point, as they have consistently, that Mitt Romney and his own approach to abortion, even though it has evolved over time, may be out of step with where the majority of the country is from the Obama campaign’s point of view,’ Garrett said Monday on ‘CBS This Morning.’ …Garrett said the Obama campaign will make the argument that Romney’s running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan, is even ‘more extreme’ than Romney. He added that the Obama campaign has already been running ads in swing states that the Republican pair’s views are ‘inconsistent with women’s views’ on both contraception and abortion. ‘I guarantee you it’s the last thing a Romney/ Ryan ticket want to talk about right now,’ he added.” [CBS News, 8/20/12]
Ryan Opposed Abortion In All Cases Except When The Life Of The Mother Was At Risk. According to the Huffington Post, “While Saul’s statement is consistent with Romney's position on abortion, it's a clear departure from Ryan's position, which is that abortion should only be legal in cases where the life of the mother is at risk.” [Huffington Post, 8/19/12]
Ryan Supported Personhood Bill To Criminalize Abortion And Forms Of Birth Control With No Exception For Rape Victims. According to the Huffington Post, “Ryan sponsored a fetal personhood bill, which would effectively criminalize abortion and some forms of birth control without exceptions for rape victims.” [Huffington Post, 8/19/12]
Ryan Said He Would Not Offer A “Truce” On His Pro-Life Stance. According to the Huffington Post, “’I’m as pro-life as a person gets,’ he told the Weekly Standard in 2010. ‘You’re not going to have a truce.’” [Huffington Post, 8/19/12]
Ryan Co-Sponsored “No Taxpayer Funding For Abortion Act” With Todd Akin To Narrow Definition Of Rape. According to the Huffington Post, “Ryan also cosponsored the ‘No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act’ with Akin in 2011. The GOP tried to narrow the definition of rape as it related to abortions with the measure. Only in instances of ‘forcible rape,’ the bill specified, would a woman be eligible to have her abortion covered under insurance. The sentiment behind the notorious attempt to redefine rape was echoed in Akin’s comment on Sunday.” [Huffington Post, 8/19/12]
Ryan Said Romney’s Abortion Stance Was A “Step In The Right Direction.” According to the Washington Post, “Ryan said Wednesday that he is proud of his record on abortion rights and maintained that Mitt Romney is the one who will set the GOP ticket’s policy. ‘Well, you know, look. I’m proud of my record,’ Ryan said to reporters aboard his plane en route to Raleigh, N.C., when asked about differences between him and Romney regarding abortion. Romney supports abortion exceptions in cases of rape, incest or when the mother’s life is endangered; Ryan does not. ‘Mitt Romney’s going to be the president,’ Ryan said. ‘The president sets the policy. His policy is exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. I’m comfortable with it because it’s a good step in the right direction. I’ll leave it at that.’” [Washington Post, 8/22/12]
November 2011: Ann Romney Said She And Her Husband Had Always Been Pro-Life. According to Parade Magazine a reporter asked Ann Romney ‘In the past you’ve said he’s changed positions only once, on abortion. Was that you’re doing?’ Ann Romney responded, ‘No, no, I never talked to Mitt about that. Our personal opinions have never changed; we’ve always been pro-life.’ [Parade Magazine, 11/28/11]
Jane Romney, Mitt’s Sister, Said Mitt Would Never Make Abortion Illegal As President. According to National Journal, “Mitt Romney’s eldest sister, who has backed prominent Democrats for office and is Tampa showing support for her brother, had some reassuring words Wednesday for women concerned about the Republican Party’s hard line on abortion. Mitt Romney would never make abortions illegal as president, Jane Romney said when National Journal asked her about the subject after a ‘Women for Mitt’ event. ‘He’s not going to be touching any of that,’ she said. ‘It’s not his focus.’ Democratic warnings that abortion rights are under threat are an ungrounded fear tactic, Jane Romney said. ‘That’s what women are afraid of, but that’s conjured,’ she said. ‘Personally, I don’t think abortion should be used as a football in the political arena.’” [National Journal, 8/29/12]
Jane Romney Said Women “Would Take To The Streets” If Abortion Was Banned. According to National Journal, “Jane Romney said she believes ‘life is sacred’ and suggested those seeking abortion should be required to undergo counseling. But she also said that abortion should ‘absolutely’ be safe and legal. ‘Every woman needs to be left to make her own choice,’ she said. A ban on abortion is ‘never going to happen’ under a Romney administration, Jane Romney said. ‘Women would take to the streets. Women fought for our choice, we’re not going to go back.’” [National Journal, 8/29/12]
VIDEO: In 2007, A Reporter Asked Mitt Romney About Ann Romney Giving $150 To Plan Parenthood And Romney Responded That He Was At One Point ‘Effectively Pro-Choice.’ While speaking in Iowa Mitt Romney had this exchange with a reporter , “Reporter: Governor your campaign today acknowledged that your wife gave $150 to Plan Parenthood in 1994. Does this give your opponents who are already suspicious on your positions on abortion fresh ammunition? Mitt Romney: ‘I was effectively pro-choice. I think I made that pretty clear. I was in the 90’, up until 2 years ago effectively pro-choice. I indicated that I have changed my position. That’s true as a couple of years ago and wrote an op-ed piece to that effect. So that shouldn’t be any particular surprise.’” [YouTube, Akaczynski, Mitt Romney Speaking In Iowa, 07; 00:20]
2007: Mitt Romney’s Campaign Confirmed That Ann Romney Gave $150 Dollars To Planned Parenthood. According to the New York Times, ‘Mitt Romney’s campaign confirmed to ABC News today that his wife, Ann Romney, donated $150 to Planned Parenthood in 1994. The news comes just two days after reports resurfaced that Rudolph W. Giuliani donated $900 to Planned Parenthood during the 1990’s—and the day before Mr. Romney is scheduled to receive a ‘Political Leadership Award’ form Massachusetts Citizens for Life.’ [The new York Times, 5/9/07]
2007: Mitt Romney Said His Wife Contributions Are “For Her And Not For Me… Her Positions Are Not Terribly Relevant For My Campaign.” According to the New York Times, Mitt Romney said that his wife’s contributions are ‘for her and not for me… Her positions are not terribly relevant for my campaign,’ he said. He pointed out that today his wife is co-chairman of Massachusetts Citizens for Life and at this point he and his wife have contributed ‘about 100 times’ more than that sum from 1994.’ [The New York Times, 5/9/07]
PICTURE: Mitt And Ann Romney Were Pictured At A Plan Parenthood Fundraiser In 1994. According to the Boston Globe, ‘Mitt Romney, who has taken hits from his Republican presidential rivals for his change of heart on abortion, had to explain earlier this year a donation that his wife made to Planned Parenthood. Now, his campaign is trying to explain a photo, sent to several news organizations today, that shows him at a fund-raiser for the abortion provider. Nicki Nichols Gamble, a former president and chief executive of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, said today that the photo shows Mitt and Ann Romney at a private home in Cohasset in June 1994. At the time, Romney was hoping to unseat US Senator Edward M. Kennedy, and eager to show his support for abortion rights, said Gamble, who is pictured in the photo with her back to the camera. The photo ‘demonstrates again, and it’s already been demonstrated, that Mitt Romney has changed his mind about whether he is pro-choice or anti-choice more than once, and that he seems to change his mind based on the practicality of the political situation,’ Gamble said in a telephone interview today. ‘In 1994, he was in a very tightly contested race with Ted Kennedy, who is pro-choice, and he seemed to embrace the pro-choice cause.’’
[The Boston Globe, 12/18/07]
2007: Ann Romney Said He Agreed With Her Husband’s Evolution On Abortion. According to ABC News, Ann Romney had this exchange with a reporter: ‘Snow: (Former Governor Romney has) been criticized for shifting his views, particularly about abortion. A couple of years ago, he, he changed his view on it. He’s talked to us about it. My understanding is that his original view, when he said in ‘94 that he was for abortion rights, was driven in a large part by a family member of yours who, unfortunately, died as a result of an abortion. Now, he’s saying that he’s not for abortion rights at all. How do you reconcile, that’s your family member too. Ann Romney: In-law. You know, he is, people evolve. His position on life, he’s firmly pro life. He has come to this, I think through his decisions and things that happened as he was Governor, and he is just clearly knows where he is, and he, he’s firmly pro life. Snow: And you agree with him on that? Romney: Yes.’ [ABC News, 2/14/07]
2011: Romney Said Massachusetts “Had A Provision That Said That Life Begins At Conception” That Did Not Prevent Contraceptives Or Prevent In Vitro Fertilization But Protected Life Of Unborn. While speaking at the Nashua Telegraph Editorial Board Mitt Romney had this exchange: ‘Moderator: There seems to be some questions about where you now stand in terms of abortion rights, and whether you would revisit Roe vs. Wade, and also how you feel about redefining personhood. Could you clarify those issues? Romney: Yeah, I’ve had the same position uh, since uh, I faced this issue as Governor. As you know I campaigned, when I campaigned I said I wouldn’t change the law, which effectively meant pro-choice legislation would be kept in place. But then when a bill came to my desk to expand, um, the um, if you will, the killing of human life, embryos I, I vetoed that. I wrote an editorial in the, er an op-ed rather in the Boston paper and said, in the Boston Globe that is, that said that I am pro-life, and described why I had reached that conclusion. I continue to have that view. And um and support efforts to maintain our respect for human life. Un, uh, we in Massachusetts had a, uh a provision that said that life begins at conception. That did not prevent contraceptives, or prevent in vitro fertilization, uh, um, but it did protect the life of uh, uh of an unborn child, in the instance, for instance of research for cloning, research for um, uh, uh stem cell research and uh, and I came out on the side, very squarely on the side of life.’ [The Nashua Telegraph Editorial Board, 11/21/11]
Romney Changed His Mind On Abortion And Was ‘Effectively Pro-Choice’ As Governor Of Massachusetts. During the Fox News debate, Romney said, ‘With regards to abortion, I changed my mind. With regards to abortion, I had the experience of coming in to office, running for governor, saying, you know, I’m going to keep the laws as they exist in the state. And they were pro-choice laws, so effectively I was pro-choice. Then I had a bill come to my desk that didn’t just keep the laws as they were, but would have created new embryos for the purpose of destroying them. I studied it in some depth and concluded I simply could not sign on to take human life. I vetoed that bill. I went to the -- to the Boston Globe. I described for them why I am pro-life. Every decision I took as governor was taken on the side of life. I am firmly pro-life.’ [Fox News Debate, 12/15/11]
Romney: “I Respect And Will Fully Protect A Woman’s Right To Choose.” According to the Boston Globe, “Romney, who came under fire for what rivals said was a flip-flop on the issue, also emphatically declared himself in favor of allowing women the right to choose an abortion. Saying his position offers no discernible differences with his opponents, Romney said he wanted an end to ‘an argument that does not exist, and to put to rest these cynical and divisive attacks made simply for political gain.’ He had faced criticism in recent weeks for having written to a Salt Lake City newspaper two years ago saying he did not like the label ‘pro-choice’ to be applied to him. He had run on an abortion-rights platform in the Massachusetts race in 1994. ‘I respect and will fully protect a woman’s right to choose,’ Romney said yesterday. ‘That choice is a deeply personal one, and the women of our state should make it based on their beliefs, not mine and not the government’s.’” [Boston Globe, 4/7/02]
Romney Insisted He Adhered To Pro-Life Agenda Without Changing Massachusetts’ Pro-Choice Laws. According to the Associated Press, “Defending his pro-life position while being the governor of a pro-choice state, Romney insisted that there were ways to advocate a pro-life agenda while adhering to MA’s pro-choice stance. ‘You can fight, for instance, to make sure that partial-birth abortion is made illegal,’ Romney said. ‘You can fight to have information given to women who are thinking about having an abortion. You can fight to make sure that there’s opportunities for people to express their views on this topic openly and near abortion clinics.’ Taking a stab at McCain, he added, ‘You can fight for the opportunity to go out and campaign for the rights of those who care about this issue to be heard before Election Day, and the McCain-Feingold law prevents that from happening.” [Associated Press, 5/4/07]
Romney Called Massachusetts Health Care Reform “The Ultimate Pro-Life Effort.” Romney said, “And let me just tell you, I think our plan is working well. And perhaps the best thing I can say about it is that it is saving lives. It is the ultimate pro-life effort, if you will, because people who otherwise could have lost their lives are now able to get the kind of care that they deserve.” [Fox News, 3/7/10]
1994: Romney Said He Would Leave Abortion In Massachusetts “Safe, Legal, And Free For Someone Who Can’t Afford It.” According to the Boston Herald, “The two differed over whether they would require the states to provide public funding for abortion, with Lakian saying he would and Romney saying he would leave that decision up to the states. ‘In Massachusetts, it is safe, legal and free for someone who can’t afford it,’ Romney noted.” [Boston Herald, 5/27/94]
Romney Claimed He Would Not “Alter Existing Laws Dealing With Abortion.” According to the Boston Globe, “At his announcement speech Wednesday, Romney said his church is tolerant of members taking political positions that are at variance with church doctrine. The Mormon Church is against abortion in most cases, while Romney says he would not attempt to alter existing laws dealing with abortion if he is elected.” [Boston Globe, 2/4/94]
2007: Romney Said He Supported The Human Life Amendment That Would Ban All Abortions Nationwide. During an August 2007 appearance on “Good Morning America,” Romney was asked if he supports the Republican Party’s 2004 platform on abortion rights, which states, “We support a Human Life Amendment to the Constitution and we endorse legislation to make it clear that the 14th Amendment’s protections apply to unborn children.” Romney replied, “ You know, I do support the Republican platform, and I support that being part of the Republican platform and I’m pro-life.” [ABCNews.com, 8/7/07]
Romney Spokesperson Kevin Madden Said Romney Wanted Federalism In The Short Term But A Constitutional Amendment Against Abortion Eventually. According to ABC News, “Madden said that Romney believes in the federalist approach once Roe v. Wade is overturned, however, he also supports using the legislative system to eventually outlaw abortion through a constitutional amendment. Madden said, ‘Gov. Romney supports the Republican Party’s platform protecting the sanctity of life. He believes that Roe v. Wade should be overturned so that the life issue can be returned to the Democratic process through the people and their elected representatives. Gov. Romney’s support for the Republican Party’s pro-life platform and overturning Roe v. Wade are complementary goals and beliefs.’” [ABCNews.com, 8/7/07]
Romney Said He Would Be “Delighted” To Sign A Bill Banning “All Abortions.” Romney was asked, “If hypothetically, Roe v. Wade was overturned, and the Congress passed a federal ban on all abortions and it came to your desk, would you sign it?” Romney replied, “Let me say it. I’d be delighted to sign that bill. But that’s not where we are. That’s not where America is today. Where America is ready to overturn Roe v. Wade and return to the states that authority. But if the Congress got there, we had that kind of consensus in that country, terrific.” [GOP Debate, 11/28/07]
Romney Advocated For The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. Romney wrote the National Review Online, “I will advocate for and support a Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act to protect unborn children who are capable of feeling pain from abortion.” [National Review Online, Mitt Romney Letter, 6/18/11 ]
Romney Supported Requiring Women To Get An Ultrasound Before Having An Abortion. According to the Associated Press, “Also Tuesday, Romney received the endorsement of state Sen. Kevin Bryant, who was backing Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback until he dropped out of the presidential race. Bryant sponsored a bill in the South Carolina Legislature this year that would require that would-be mothers view an ultrasound image before getting an abortion. Differing versions passed the House and Senate, but the legislative session ended without a compromise. Proponents argued the measure would cause fewer women to get abortions, opting instead to keep the child or choose adoption. Critics said it’s a way of intimidating women who have already made an agonizing decision. It’s a ‘good idea for birth mothers to be given information such as the kind put forward by Sen. Bryant. I think it’s a good idea for moms to be able to see the development of their child,’ Romney said. ‘I think it will tend to encourage adoption where they were considering abortion as the other alternative.’” [AP, 11/6/07]
2011: Romney Said That States Should Decide Their Own Laws Regarding To Abortion. Mitt Romney said on Huckabee, “I am pro-life and would prefer to have the courts decide individuals, rather that states have the ability to make their own decision in regards to Abortion.” [Mitt Romney on Huckabee, Fox News, YouTube, Jeraboo29, 10/1/11, 6:03]
2007: Romney Said As Well As Appointing Strict Constructionist Judges, Legislatures And Governors Can Impact Pro-Life Issues. In the 2007 MSNBC Republican presidential debate, Romney was asked, “Governor Romney, you said that being a pro-life President entails more than just appointing strict constructionist judges. A Politico.com reader wants to know what you meant by that? And whether that was directed specifically at Mayor Giuliani?” Romney replied, “It’s directed at anybody that’s not pro-life. And I have had the opportunity of serving as a governor and finding that while the courts are making decisions that are affecting abortion, it’s really upon the legislatures and the governor to have an impact as well. So you can fight for instance to make sure that partial birth abortion is made illegal. You can fight to have information given to women who are thinking about having an abortion. You can fight to make sure that there is opportunities for people to express their views on this topic openly and near abortion clinics. You can fight for the opportunity to go out and campaign for the rights of those that care about this issue to be heard before election day and the McCain/Feingold law prevents that from happening.” [MSNBC Presidential Debate, 5/3/07, 51:25]
2006: Romney: States Should Decide Abortion Laws And “Not A One-Size-Fits-All Basis. Romney said, “Well, what I’d like to see is every state being able to have far more hand in deciding their own policies with regards to abortion. I believe that a one-size-fits-all solution, which is what originally was developed by the Supreme Court, really did not allow states to make their own decision in this regard. And I’m firmly pro-life myself. I’d like a state to have the choice to be pro-life. If another state wants to be pro- choice that would be its right. But I believe that this is something that should be decided on a federalist basis, a state-by-state basis, and not on a one-size-fits-all basis.” [Charlie Rose Show, 6/5/06]
1994: Romney Said States Should Decide About Abortion Waiting Periods. “Asked about a waiting period before a woman can obtain an abortion, Romney replied: ‘That is something the state has the power to decide; I’d let them make that decision.’” [Boston Globe, 10/12/94]
Romney Said That Parental Consent Of Abortion Laws Should Be Decided By States. According to the Boston Herald, “Romney, in perhaps his most expansive remarks on abortion this campaign season, also said he was ‘inclined towards parental consent,’ but added the issue should be decided on the state level. When pressed, however, Romney admitted he did not know Massachusetts law requires the consent of both parents for women under age 18 to have an abortion. ‘As I understand the law in Massachusetts, it is not required, parental consent is not required,’ Romney said. ‘But I’m not familiar with it. . . . I don’t know what the requirement is in Massachusetts.’” [Boston Herald, 5/19/94]
2011: Romney Thought The Supreme Court Should Reverse Roe V. Wade And Send Back To The States. Mitt Romney said on Fox News Huckabee, “I’d make sure that the progress that’s been made to provide for life and to protect human life is not progress that would be reverse. I’d make sure that justices that go to the Supreme Court are justices that have a conviction that their job is to follow the law and not create the law from the bench. I would encourage legislation which provided to individuals the information they needed. To make a choice, an informed choice about whether or not to have an abortion. My view is that the Supreme Court should reverse Roe V. Wade and send back to the states the responsibility for deciding whether they’re going to have abortion legal in their state or not.” [Mitt Romney on Huckabee, Fox News, YouTube, Jeraboo29, 10/1/11, 6:38]
Romney Wanted To Reinstate The “Mexico City” Policy Barring Foreign Aid From Being Used For Abortions. According to Des Moines Register Editorial Board, “Mitt Romney today said no abortion legislation is part of his agenda, but he would prohibit federally-funded international nonprofits from providing abortions in other countries. ‘There’s no legislation with regards to abortion that I’m familiar with that would become part of my agenda,’ the GOP presidential candidate told The Des Moines Register’s editorial board during a meeting today before his campaign rally at a Van Meter farm. But by executive order, not by legislation, he would reinstate the so-called Mexico City policy that bans U.S. foreign aid dollars from being used to do abortions, he said. President Barack Obama dropped the policy on his tenth day in office, Romney said.” [Des Moines Register Editorial Board, 10/9/12]
Romney Called For Reinstating Global Gag Orders For Family Planning Services Getting Government Support. According to Talking Points Memo, “Romney has specifically called for reinstating gag orders for family planning providers that receive U.S. government support, and would support new laws aimed at making abortions harder to perform.” [Talking Points Memo, 8/27/12]
2007: Romney Pledged “To Oppose Any Federal Funding For Abortions.” “Mr. Romney appealed to the conservatives on a host of specifics, calling for tax credits for homeschooling, pledging to oppose any federal funding for abortions, promising to promote adoption of embryos and saying he expects his family to offer a good example as the first family.” [Washington Times, 10/20/07]
Romney Said Yes To Planned Parenthood On Supporting Funding Of Abortions Through Medicaid. According to the Weekly Standard, “During his 2002 campaign for governor, Romney reached out to Republican Majority for Choice to ask for its endorsement and later issued a press release highlighting that endorsement. Romney also completed a Planned Parenthood questionnaire in Apr ‘02, saying ‘yes’ to a question about whether he supported ‘the substance of’ Roe v. Wade, ‘yes’ to ‘state funding of abortion services through Medicaid for low-income women.’” [Weekly Standard, 2/5/07]
1994: Romney Supported Freedom of Choice Act. According to the Boston Globe, “In numerous joint appearances last winter and spring, Romney opposed both the federal Freedom of Choice Act and federal funding of abortion for poor women. Since then, however, Romney has said he would support the Freedom of Choice Act if it simply codified the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade ruling on abortion and that he would leave the issue of Medicaid funding of abortion to the states. Charles Manning, Romney’s political consultant, acknowledged there has been some shift in Romney’s position. ‘As Mitt has studied the issues with regard to choice more and more and talked with a lot of people about them, he has become firmer in his position,’ he said. A recent letter from Paul Moran of Massachusetts Citizens for Life also lists Romney as against the Freedom of Choice Act and federal funding of abortion, information Moran said he got from members of his group who had spoken to Romney.” [Boston Globe, 9/10/94]
Romney Supported Denying Fertility Drugs To Women On Medicaid And Welfare Recipients. According to the Boston Globe, “Eight months before the state election, the contentious issue of funding fertility drugs for poor women has already divided candidates for governor and US Senate. Two Democratic gubernatorial candidates disagree with Gov. Weld’s ban on fertility treatments to women on Medicaid, including welfare recipients. However, the step taken by Weld won praise from three Republicans who hope to unseat Sen. Edward M. Kennedy…Former talk-show host Janet Jeghelian and businessmen Mitt Romney and John Lakian, all Republican challengers to Kennedy, hailed Weld’s action as consistent with the overall goal of reforming the welfare system.” [Boston Globe, 3/9/94]
Romney Wanted To End Any U.S. Funding For Groups Overseas Who Perform Or Promote Abortion. Romney wrote the National Review Online, “I will reinstate the Mexico City Policy to ensure that nongovernmental organizations that receive funding from America refrain from performing or promoting abortion services, as a method of family planning, in other countries. This includes ending American funding for any United Nations or other foreign assistance program that promotes or performs abortions on women around the world.” [National Review Online, Mitt Romney Letter, 6/18/11]
Romney Wanted To Force Family Planning Clinics That Receive Federal Funding To Counsel Adoption. According to MSNBC, “After touring the Carolina Hope Christian Adoption Agency -- because November is National Adoption Awareness Month in the United States -- Romney outlined for reporters three things he’d like to do to promote adoption, the second of which is to ‘require all of these family planning clinics [that receive Title X funds from the federal government] to provide to respective mothers information about adoption in the normal course of their responsibilities.’” [MSNBC, 11/6/07]
Romney Surrogate Norm Coleman Said Romney Would Not Reverse Roe V. Wade Even Though Romney Stated It Was A Goal. According to Talking Points Memo, “In the frenetic push to win all-important Ohio, Mitt Romney’s campaign is saying a lot of things to a lot of people. And on Monday, a top Romney surrogate told a group of Jewish voters in the Buckeye State that the landmark Supreme Court decision granting women the right to an abortion is in no danger of being overturned should Romney become president. ‘President Bush was president eight years, Roe v. Wade wasn’t reversed. He had two Supreme Court picks, Roe v. Wade wasn’t reversed,’ former Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) told a Republican Jewish Coalition meeting in Beechwood, Ohio. ‘It’s not going to be reversed.’ … For his part, Romney has said overturning Roe is a personal goal. ‘My view is that the Supreme Court should reverse Roe v. Wade and send back to the states the responsibility for deciding whether it’s is legal or not,’ Romney said at a candidate forum hosted by Mike Huckabee last year. On his campaign website, Romney calls Roe v. Wade ‘a case of blatant judicial activism.’ In September, Romney promised to appoint justices ‘that will follow the law and the Constitution’ when asked about Roe.” [Talking Points Memo, 10/30/12]
Romney Stated That Abortion Law Was “Settled” In The Courts But Pledged To Appoint Justices Who “Adhere To The Constitution” And Wanted To Overturn Roe V. Wade. According to Talking Points Memo, “There are simpler explanations of how a president would affect abortion policy: The next president will likely nominate more than one Supreme Court justice, which means he has the chance to tip the balance on the court in favor of maintaining Roe v. Wade, or in favor of rolling back the landmark Court decision making abortion legal. Though he told CBS Monday that abortion law has ‘been settled for some time in the courts, ‘Romney has said he wants to see Roe v. Wade overturned. ‘Most importantly, I will only appoint judges who adhere to the Constitution and the laws as they are written,’ Romney wrote in a National Review op-ed called ‘My Pro-Life Pledge,’ ‘not as they want them to be written.’” [Talking Points Memo, 8/27/12]
Romney: The Supreme Court Should Reverse Roe Vs. Wade. According to The Hill, “Romney also pledged to appoint conservative justices to the Supreme Court. “I’d make sure that justices that go to the Supreme Court are justices that have a conviction that their job is to follow the law and not to create the law from the bench,” he said. He added that “the Supreme Court should reverse Roe vs. Wade and send back to the states the responsibility for deciding whether they are going to have abortion legal in their state or not.” “ [The Hill, 10/2/11]
Romney Wrote He Supported The Reversing Roe v. Wade. In the National Review Online, Romney wrote, “I support the reversal of Roe v. Wade, because it is bad law and bad medicine. Roe was a misguided ruling that was a result of a small group of activist federal judges legislating from the bench.” [National Review Online, Mitt Romney Letter, 6/18/11 ]
On The 39th Anniversary Of Roe V. Wade Romney Called The Decision “One Of The Darkest Moments In Supreme Court History.” According to a campaign press release, “Mitt Romney made the following statement on the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade: ‘Today marks the 39th anniversary of one of the darkest moments in Supreme Court history, when the court in Roe v. Wade claimed authority over the fundamental question regarding the rights of the unborn. The result is millions of lives since that day have been tragically silenced. Since that day, the pro-life movement has been working tirelessly in an effort to change hearts and minds and protect the weakest and most vulnerable among us. Today, we recommit ourselves to reversing that decision, for in the quiet of conscience, people of both political parties know that more than a million abortions a year cannot be squared with the good heart of America.’” [Romney for President, 01/22/12]
2002: Romney Told A Pro-Choice Group That Any Move To Overturn Roe V. Wade Would Be A “Serious Mistake For Our Country.” According to The Washington Post, “Mitt Romney was firm and direct with the abortion rights advocates sitting in his office nine years ago, assuring the group that if elected Massachusetts governor, he would protect the state’s abortion laws. Then, as the meeting drew to a close, the businessman offered an intriguing suggestion — that he would rise to national prominence in the Republican Party as a victor in a liberal state and could use his influence to soften the GOP’s hard-line opposition to abortion... Melissa Kogut, the NARAL group’s executive director in 2002, recalled Wednesday that as she and other participants in the meeting began to pack their belongings to leave after the 45-minute session, Romney became ‘emphatic that the Republican Party was not doing themselves a service by being so vehemently anti-choice.’ The abortion rights supporters came away from the meeting pleasantly surprised. Romney declined to label himself ‘pro-choice’ but said he eschewed all labels, including ‘pro-life.’ He told the group that he would ‘protect and preserve a woman’s right to choose under Massachusetts law’ and that he thought any move to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision would be a ‘serious mistake for our country.’ ‘We felt good about the interview. He seemed genuine,’ said Nicole Roos, the NARAL official who took the notes and shared them with a reporter.’ [The Washington Post, 11/2/11]
Romney Said His Views On Abortion Have Evolved And The Supreme Court Should Overturn Roe V. Wade. According to Knight Ridder, “Romney said that his view on abortion has ‘evolved’ since he refused either the pro-choice or pro-life label during his 1994 Senate campaign, and he now believes that the Supreme Court should overturn Roe and hand over lawmaking on abortion to the states.” [Knight Ridder, 1/27/06]
Romney: Roe V. Wade “Cheapened The Value Of Human Life.” According to The Republican, “Romney outlined his conversion to a pro-life position, saying that he ‘began to focus a good deal more of my attention on my own views’ about abortion while involved in a skirmish over cloning and embryo farming for stem cell research. He then decided that the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion was wrong, arguing that the Roe v. Wade mentality ‘has so cheapened the value of human life that rational people saw human life as mere research material to be used and then destroyed.’ He added, ‘The slippery slope could soon lead to racks and racks of living human embryos, ‘Brave New World’-like, awaiting termination. What some see as a mere clump of cells is actually a human life.’” [The Republican, 5/11/07]
Romney Said He Would Support The Freedom Of Choice Act If It Codified Roe V. Wade. According to the Boston Globe, “Romney refused to be pinned down. ‘I can support a Senate version if it codifies Roe v. Wade,’ he said, adding, ‘John, your reading of the bill is not going to tell me whether it codifies Roe v. Wade or not.’” [Boston Globe, 9/7/94]
1994: Romney Said He Supported The Codification Of Roe V. Wade. According to the Boston Globe, “Asked about some of NARAL’s particulars yesterday, Romney said he supports the codification of Roe v. Wade abortion rights as law.” [Boston Globe, 10/12/94]
2011: Romney Hoped To See The Supreme Court Overturn Roe V Wade, Which Would Turn Back To The States The Authority To Create Their Own Legislation Relating To Abortion. While speaking at the Nashua Telegraph Editorial Board Mitt Romney said, “What I would like to have happen? You know, I don’t get to, I don’t get to wave a wand. Alright? Uh, but, but I would hope to see the, the uh the Supreme Court overturn Roe V Wade, which would turn back to the states the authority to uh to create their own legislation relating to abortion. And of course my hope is that we would have pro-life legislation, but that would be a state matter as opposed to a federally imposed decision. I think, I think the court erred by taking at the federal level something which should have been left, uh, uh, to the states.” [The Nashua Telegraph Editorial Board, 11/21/11]
Romney Wrote That Liberals Favor Justices Who Will Do “What They Think Is Right” Rather Than The Law And That This Explained The Rulings On Abortions And Same Sex Marriage And Attempts To “Substitute Preferences” On The Second Amendment. In his book “No Apology” Mitt Romney wrote, “There is a strain of thought among some liberals, however, that advocates lowering the bounds of law and the Constitution in order to accommodate the sentiment and sensibilities about right and wrong held by the elite and wise. They favor justices who will do ‘what they think is right’ rather than what they know the law and the Constitution demand. This explains incongruous rulings on abortion and same-sex marriage—they are clearly beyond the contemplation of the Constitution, but well within the sensibilities of select society. This also explains the attempt by some to substitute their preferences for those constitutional guarantees they would rather ignore, as with the Second Amendment right to bear arms. This amendment, like all the others, preserves a principle that is fundamental to the American experience: The individual is sovereign, not the rulers.” [“No Apology” 2011 Pg. 286]
2006: Romney Wanted To See SCOTUS Return Issue of Abortion of the People. “But I do believe that the one-size-fits-all, abortion-on-demand-for-all-nine-months decision in Roe v. Wade does not serve the country well and is another example of judges making the law instead of interpreting the Constitution. What I would like to see is the Court return the issue to the people to decide.” [National Review Online, 12/14/06]
Romney: GOP Is And Should Remain The Pro-Life Party; Should Work to Change Hearts and Minds of Pro-Choice Americans. In the National Review Online, Romney wrote, “The Republican party is and should remain the pro-life party and work to change hearts and minds and create a culture of life where every child is welcomed and protected by law and the weakest among us are protected. I understand there are people of good faith on both sides of the issue. They should be able to make and advance their case in democratic forums with civility, mutual respect, and confidence that our democratic process is the best place to handle these issues.” [National Review Online, 12/14/06]
RightMarch.com Accused Romney Of Flip-Flopping On Abortion. According to the Boston Herald, “A national conservative political group has jumped into the brouhaha over Mitt Romney’s abortion stance, accusing him of flip-flopping on the hot-button issue while governor of Massachusetts. RightMarch.com, a conservative political action committee, blasted Romney yesterday for ordering Catholic hospitals to make emergency contraceptives available in 2005, over the advice of his top public health adviser. Romney’s controversial decision came months after he tried to block legislation legalizing RU-486, the “morning after” abortion pill. ‘His campaign is being disingenuous, to say the least, when they respond that he never flip-flopped on RU-486,’ said William Greene, president of the RightMarch.com PAC. ‘He was specifically quoted as saying, ‘It’s the right thing for hospitals to provide information and access to emergency contraception.’ He flip-flopped.” [Boston Herald, 1/24/07]
1994: Romney Accepted Massachusetts Citizens for Life Endorsement. According to the Boston Herald, “U.S. Senate candidate W. Mitt Romney has tried to mold himself in the image of a Republican abortion rights advocate, but that didn’t stop a Massachusetts anti-abortion group from endorsing him as the ‘logical vote for those who value human life.’ The September issue of Massachusetts Citizens For Life News calls incumbent U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy ‘perhaps the worst person in the U.S. Senate from a prolife point of view.’ Spokesmen for John Lakian, Romney’s GOP primary opponent, and Kennedy said the endorsement showed Romney has tried to work both sides of the abortion divide to win votes. ‘Mitt Romney is not pro-choice,’ said Rick Gureghian, Kennedy’s campaign spokesman. ‘The endorsement unequivocally proves that Mitt Romney doesn’t support a woman’s right to choose and never will support a woman’s right to choose.’ Romney’s ‘said he’s privately pro-life, but as far as a public pronouncements he’s attempted to mouth the pro-choice stand,’ said Lakian campaign manager John Alvis. ‘I think . . . the women of Massachusetts will see through that,’ Alvis said.” [Boston Herald, 9/8/94]
Massachusetts’s Anti-Abortion Group ‘Citizens for Life’ To Launch A Ballot Campaign To Repeal Mitt Romney’s Health Care Reform. The Boston Globe reported, “Mitt Romney, who has struggled to persuade some social conservatives that he is a committed opponent of abortion rights, could face a new headache from his home state’s leading antiabortion group, which is launching a ballot campaign to repeal the universal health care law that he signed in 2006.” [The Boston Globe, 8/3/11]
President Of Massachusetts Citizens For Life Said Repealing Massachusetts Health Care Reform Was A Prolife Issue And That It Would Deny Care. According to the Boston Globe, “Anne Fox, president of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, said yesterday that repealing the law is a ‘prolife’ issue because the law could lead to what she said would be the rationing of prenatal care and other medical services. ‘The way it’s constituted, they’re going to have to deny care,’ Fox, standing with two members of the Citizens for Life board, told reporters outside the State House. ‘It could be care to the unborn, care to pregnant women, care to someone with disabilities, but they’re going to be denying care, and that’s the prolife concern.’” [The Boston Globe, 8/3/11, WWLP 22 News, 8/2/11]
Massachusetts Citizens For Life Posted A Statement On Their Website That “Romneycare Covers Abortion.” According to the Boston Globe, “Even so, Citizens for Life, which is the state affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee, had a statement on its website yesterday, blasting the state law in much starker terms. ‘RomneyCare covers abortions, and the mandate forces citizens to participate in a system which strives to make the murder of unborn children as cheap as $50,’ the statement said. ‘There are, however, many more ways which this requirement offends against both the sanctity of human life, principles of ethical medicine and simple common sense.’’’ [The Boston Globe, 8/3/11]
Romney’s Foundation Gave $15,000 To The Anti-Abortion Rights Group Massachusetts Citizens For Life. The Huffington Post reported “The anti-abortion rights group Massachusetts Citizens for Life was given $15,000…,” by Mitt Romney’s foundation. [The Huffington Post, 8/11/11]
Romney And Jon Huntsman The Last Major Republican Candidates Not To Sign Susan B. Anthony List’s Pro-Life Pledge. According to The Washington Times, “Herman Cain signed the Susan B. Anthony List’s pro-life pledge Tuesday, leaving Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman as the last major GOP presidential candidates to refuse to support the pledge against abortion.” [The Washington Times, 11/22/11]
Romney Refused To Sign Anti-Abortion Susan B. Anthony List Pledge. Politico reported that Mitt Romney refused to sign the Susan B Anthony List Pledge, “…vowing to nominate judges and appoint executive branch officials who are opposed to abortion. The pledge also committed signers to push legislation to end all taxpayer funding of abortion and to sign a law to ‘protect unborn children who are capable of feeling pain from abortion.’” [Politico, 6/17/11; SBA List Press Release, 6/17/11]
Pro-Life Group “Ohio Right To Life PAC” Endorsed Romney. According to the Dayton Daily News, “The Ohio Right to Life Society Political Action Committee formally backed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for President last week — announcing their endorsement two days after former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum bowed out of the GOP presidential primary — all but guaranteeing that Romney will be the nominee. ’During Obama’s first term, we have witnessed executive orders mandating taxpayer support of abortion-causing drugs, forced funding of life-destroying embryonic stem cell research and the socialization of health care,’ said Mike Gonidakis of the Ohio Right to Life PAC. ‘Governor Romney is committed to protecting mothers and their unborn babies. It is clear that he will appoint pro-life justices to the Supreme Court, and by doing so, we will ultimately overturn Roe v. Wade.’ The Ohio Right to Life PAC’s endorsement mirrored the National Right to Life PAC, which also backed Romney last week.”[Dayton Daily News, 04/15/12]
National Right To Life And The Susan B. Anthony List Both Endorse Romney, Highlighting His Strong “Pro-Life” Positions. According to CNN, “Two leading national anti-abortion organizations Thursday endorsed Republican Mitt Romney for president. The moves may be the first indications of social conservatives coalescing around Romney after their first choice, Rick Santorum, dropped out of the race. In backing the former Massachusetts governor and all but certain GOP presidential nominee, both National Right to Life and the Susan B. Anthony List highlighted what they called Romney’s strong ‘pro-life’ positions and criticized President Barack Obama for what they call a ‘pro-abortion agenda.’ ‘On pro-life issues, Mitt Romney and Barack Obama provide a stark contrast. As the country’s most pro-abortion president, Barack Obama has pursued a radical pro-abortion agenda,’ said National Right to Life President Carol Tobias. ‘It is now time for pro-life Americans to unite behind Mitt Romney. For the sake of unborn children, the disabled, and the elderly, we must win.’” [Political Ticker, CNN, 04/12/12]
2007: National Right To Life President John Willke Endorsed Romney As “Strong Pro-Life” Presidential Candidate. According to LifeNews.com, “Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney got a boost over the weekend when Dr. John Willke, credited as one of the founders of the modern-day pro-life movement, gave him his endorsement. Willke was the president of National Right to Life and the Romney campaign tells LifeNews.com he will be a surrogate for it. Romney has come under fire during the presidential campaign because of his recent pro-life conversion just a few years ago. Some have doubted whether Romney is truly pro-life and Willke’s endorsement will help his campaign overcome some of their concerns. Willke, a physician who remains active in the pro-life movement in Ohio, says he based his endorsement of the former Massachusetts governor on his record in office. ‘Unlike other candidates who only speak to the importance of confronting the major social issues of the day, Governor Romney has a record of action in defending life,’ he said in a statement sent to LifeNews.com. ‘Every decision he made as Governor was on the side of life. I know he will be the strong pro-life President we need in the White House,’ Willke added. ‘Governor Romney is the only candidate who can lead our pro-life and pro-family conservative movement to victory in 2008.’” [LifeNews.com, 10/20/07]
Romney Was Proud, Thrilled To Have Willke’s Endorsement As Someone Would “Will Actively Promote” Pro-Life Policies. According to LifeNews.com, “The GOP presidential contender said he was thrilled to receive Willke’s endorsement. ‘I am proud to have the support of a man who has meant so much to the pro-life movement in our country,’ Governor Romney said. ‘He knows how important it is to have someone in Washington who will actively promote pro-life policies,’ Romney added. ‘Policies that include more than appointing judges who will follow the law but also opposing taxpayer funded abortion and partial birth abortion.’ Willke joins National Right to Life legal counsel Jim Bopp in supporting the Romney campaign, though the organization itself has yet to make a presidential endorsement.” [LifeNews.com, 10/20/07]
Dr. Willke: Romney Said “We Agree On Almost Everything” And Would Make Major Pro-Life Pronouncements As President. According to The Telegraph, “Dr Willke, a prominent anti-abortion campaigner, claims to be an authority on the theory espoused by Mr Akin that victims of what the Republican congressman called ‘legitimate rape’ do not become pregnant because their bodies ‘shut down’ due to the trauma… Mr Romney and Paul Ryan, his running mate, have denounced Mr Akin’s remarks. Dr Willke has been given no role in Mr Romney’s 2012 campaign and aides stress that the candidate disagrees with his theory on rape. However, Dr Willke told The Daily Telegraph that he did meet Mr Romney during a presidential primary campaign stop in the doctor’s home city of Cincinnati, Ohio, in October last year. Local news reports at the time noted that the candidate held ‘private meetings’ during the visit. ‘He told me ‘thank you for your support – we agree on almost everything, and if I am elected President I will make some major pro-life pronouncements’,’ Dr Willke said in a telephone interview on Tuesday.” [The Telegraph, 8/22/12]
Romney Personally Called Republican Majority For Choice. According to the Weekly Standard, “That spring, Romney also personally telephoned the group Republican Majority for Choice and asked for its endorsement. Completing a questionnaire similar to those of other pro-choice groups, Romney got what he wanted from the pro-choice Republicans. His campaign trumpeted the endorsement with a press release.” [Weekly Standard, 2/5/07]
Romney Told NARAL That He Was A Sensible Republican Who Could Overshadow More Conservative Elements In The GOP. According to the Weekly Standard, “After completing the questionnaire, Romney met with three NARAL executives. In this meeting, NARAL executives recount, Romney evidenced no hesitation about his pro-choice views. He also tried to pique the executives’ interest in endorsing him by bluntly acknowledging that he had higher political aspirations, saying, ‘You need someone like me in Washington.’ Moreover, those present recall that Romney argued that his election would make him credible in the Republican party nationally and thus help ‘sensible’ Republicans like him overshadow more conservative elements in the GOP.” [Weekly Standard, 2/5/07]
Massachusetts Abortion Rights Group Calls Romney “Anti-Choice.” According to the Boston Herald, “The leading abortion-rights group in Massachusetts yesterday accused GOP Senate candidate W. Mitt Romney of exaggerating his pro-choice views. ‘He is not pro-choice,’ said Joyce Cunha, executive director of Mass Choice. ‘He’s trying to have it both ways. He’s anti-choice at heart. Massachusetts voters deserve to know the truth.’” [Boston Herald, 9/10/94]
Romney Received Endorsement From Republican Pro-Choice Coalition. According to the Associated Press, “Romney, a Republican and the former Winter Olympics chief, was endorsed by the New York-based Republican Pro-Choice Coalition. He mentioned his mother, Lenore Romney, who favored abortion rights when she ran for the U.S. Senate in 1970, even before the 1973 Roe v. Wade case affirmed women’s constitutional right to abortions.” [AP, 10/2/02]
Choice Groups Skeptical That Romney Was An Unseasoned Politician Who Changed His Views On Abortion Upon Deep Reflection. According to The Weekly Standard, “Was Romney an unseasoned politician who changed his views [on abortion] upon deep reflection? Stockman, of Republican Majority for Choice, thinks not. ‘He was a grown man in 2002 and very thoughtful and introspective,’ Stockman says, ‘so the fact that he says he hadn’t thought through these issues seems very odd.’ Melissa Kogut, NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts’s executive director, says, ‘It is conventional wisdom that candidates in Massachusetts need to be pro-choice to win. He ran as pro-choice. As he began exploring the run for president, he changed. No matter where you stand on this issue, you should question where he stands.’ Angus McQuilken of Planned Parenthood says, ‘When a candidate or elected official can move so easily from one position to the opposite overnight, it leaves voters wondering whether he has any core values.’” [The Weekly Standard, 2/5/07]
Romney Had Not Backed Away From Cutting Funding To Planned Parenthood And Family Planning Services Under Title X. According to The Associated Press, “Romney’s opposition to Planned Parenthood was a common theme during the primary, and Obama hammered the Republican on Tuesday over his plan to cut funding for Planned Parenthood, the network of clinics that provide women’s health care and also provide abortion services. Romney hasn’t backed away from that stance; his plan to cut Title X, which funds family planning health services, is still listed on his website. But he isn’t quick to talk about it either. Earlier this month, he told the Des Moines Register’s editorial board that he didn’t intend to pursue any abortion-related legislation as president, and then back tracked.” [The Associated Press, 10/18/12]
Romney Promised To Be A Pro-Life President And Prevent Funding For Planned Parenthood. According to The Washington Post, “Speaking to reporters in Ohio today, Mitt Romney emphasized his opposition to abortion after pivoting away from that position in a recent interview. ‘I think I’ve said time and again that I’m a pro-life candidate and I’ll be a pro-life president,’ Romney said. ‘The actions I’ll take immediately is to remove funding for Planned Parenthood. It will not be part of my budget. And also I’ve indicated that I will reverse the Mexico City position of the president. I will reinstate the Mexico City policy which keeps us from using foreign aid for abortions overseas.’ Speaking to the Des Moines Register editorial board Tuesday, Romney said that ‘there’s no legislation with regards to abortion that I’m familiar with that would become part of my agenda.’ In that interview, Romney mentioned the Mexico City policy — which would prevent NGOs that receive federal funding from promoting or performing abortions. He explained that the change would be ‘done by executive order and not by legislation.’ The president only make’s a budget request; eliminating funding for Planned Parenthood would require legislative action. However, the Obama administration has taken a hard line against states that ban abortion providers from receiving Medicaid funds, and as President Romney could change that policy.” [The Washington Post, 10/10/12]
Planned Parenthood Launched $1.4 Million Ad Campaign Against Romney. According to CNN, “Planned Parenthood Action Fund unveiled an advertising campaign Wednesday in swing states painting Mitt Romney as the wrong choice for women, a critical voting bloc in the battle for the White House. Backed by $1.4 million, the spot will run on broadcast and cable television in West Palm Beach, Florida, Des Moines, Iowa, northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., according to the political arm of the women’s health care organization. The commercial uses the presumptive GOP nominee’s own words and those of campaign officials to accuse him of wanting to deny women birth control, abortions and equal pay. ‘When Mitt Romney says ‘Planned Parenthood, we’re going to get rid of that,’ Romney is saying he’ll deny women the birth control and cancer screenings they depend on,’ the ad says. ‘When Romney says ‘Do I believe Supreme Court should overturn Roe V. Wade? Yes,’ he’s saying he’ll deny women the right to make their own medical decisions.’” [CNN, 05/30/12]
Sen. Harry Reid Said Romney’s Plan To “Get Rid” Of Funding For Planned Parenthood Was “Absurd.” According to the Las Vegas Sun, “On the evening of the Affordable Care Act’s two-year anniversary, U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., took Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney to task for opposing the landmark health care law. On a conference call for President Obama’s re-election campaign, Reid criticized Romney for saying he would ‘get rid’ of Planned Parenthood and for opposing mandated insurance coverage of contraception. ‘I can’t make anything up so absurd as that,’ Reid said. ‘What he said is women are on their own, they should shop around for life-saving breast cancer and cervical cancer screening.’” [Las Vegas Sun, 03/22/12]
Associated Press: Romney Risked Losing Women Voters After Saying He Would “Get Rid Of” Planned Parenthood. According to the Associated Press, “The Planned Parenthood controversy stems from a recent interview with a Missouri television station in which Romney addressed his plans to cut the federal deficit. ‘Is the program so critical that it is worth borrowing money from China to pay for it?’ Romney asked. ‘And on that basis, of course you get rid of ObamaCare, that’s the easy one. But there are others: Planned Parenthood, we’re going to get rid of that. The subsidy for Amtrak, I would eliminate that. The National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, both excellent programs, but we can’t afford to borrow money to pay for these things.’ […]The Romney campaign contends that the remark has been taken out of context. Yet even the debate over what Romney meant or didn’t mean underscores the political peril he faces as the GOP nomination fight rages on. Facing continued conservative skepticism, Romney has been pushed further to the right to appeal to his party’s right flank. In doing so, he risks alienating key constituencies — women and independents, among them — while drawing unwanted attention to his inconsistent positions on social issues.” [Associated Press, New York Daily News, 03/15/12]
Romney Advisor Eric Fehrnstrom Said Romney Didn’t Mean He Would “Get Rid Of” Planned Parenthood, But Would Cut Federal Funding. According to Huffington Post, “Asked to clarify the Planned Parenthood reference hours after the report aired, top Romney campaign adviser Eric Fehrnstrom said Romney did not mean to suggest his administration would eliminate the women’s health care provider altogether. Indeed, in remarks before and after the Missouri interview, Romney indicated he would focus on eliminating the organization’s federal funding, as Republicans in Washington and in state legislatures across the country have fought to do in recent months. ‘It would not be getting rid of the organization,’ Fehrnstrom said. ‘They have other sources of funding besides government appropriations, but in order to achieve balance, we have to make some tough decisions about spending.’ Romney has personally avoided the issue since Fehrnstrom’s comments Monday night (Mar. 12), but his campaign released a statement suggesting it was morally irresponsible ‘to borrow money from China to fund our nation’s leading abortion provider.’” [Huffington Post, 03/15/12]
Romney Said He Would “Get Rid” Of Planned Parenthood To Reduce The Federal Deficit. According to KSDK of Missouri, “…Mitt Romney detailed cuts to reduce the debt, including Planned Parenthood. […]As for ways to reduce debt, he suggests a few cuts. ‘The test is pretty simple. Is the program so critical, it’s worth borrowing money from china to pay for it? And on that basis of course you get rid of Obamacare, that’s the easy one. Planned Parenthood, we’re going to get rid of that. The subsidy for Amtrack, I’d eliminate that. The National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities,’ he said.” [KSDK, 03/14/12]
Romney Said Susan G. Komen For The Cure Foundation Should Not Fund Planned Parenthood. According to CBS News, “When asked by talk radio host Scott Hennen in an interview whether he thinks Komen should provide funds to Planned Parenthood, Romney said ‘I don’t think so.’ The candidate, who has in recent days taken a much more aggressive stance on issues like contraception, went on to call for the government, as well as Komen, to pull its funding from Planned Parenthood. ‘I also feel that the government should cut off funding to Planned Parenthood,’ Romney told Hennen. ‘Look, the idea that we’re subsidizing an institution that provides abortion, in my view, is wrong. Planned Parenthood oughta stand on its own feet and should not get government subsidy.’” [CBS News, 02/07/12]
Romney Wrote That One Example Of Cutting Nonessential Government Programs Would Be To Eliminate “Title X Family Planning Programs Benefiting Abortion Groups” Like Planned Parenthood. Romney wrote an op-ed in USA Today listing examples of what the federal government could cut that included eliminating ‘…Title X family planning programs benefiting abortion groups like Planned Parenthood.’ [USA Today’s Op-Ed by Mitt Romney, 11/3/11]
2011: Romney Wanted To Eliminate Title X Family Planning Funding For Groups Like Planned Parenthood. According to Romney’s Plan to Turn Around the Federal Government, “Eliminate Title X Family Planning Funding — Savings: $300 Million. Title X subsidizes family planning programs that benefit abortion groups like Planned Parenthood.” [Romney’s Plan to Turn Around the Federal Government, 11/4/11]
Angry Members Of Planned Parenthood Once Threatened To Show Up At Pro Life Gala Honoring Romney Wearing Flip Flops. The National Catholic Register reported that “Whatever one thinks of Romney’s decision about the pledge, his record on the life issues is full of zigzags. Angry members of Planned Parenthood — who had formerly regarded Romney as an ally — once threatened to show up at a pro-life gala honoring Romney wearing flip-flops to symbolize his switching sides. Romney, who attended a Planned Parenthood fundraiser in 1994, now calls for blocking federal funding of the organization.” [The National Catholic Register, 8/3/11]
2002: Romney Signed The Planned Parenthood Questionnaire. In April, 2002 Mitt Romney Signed Planned Parenthood [Romneyfact.com, Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund Of Massachusetts Candidate Questionnaire ]
Planned Parenthood Director Accused Romney Of “Politically Expedient Flip-Flops.” According to the Boston Globe, “Nicki Nichols Gamble, director of Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts, told the crowd, ‘Mr. Romney is no choice for voters who are pro-choice.” Gamble, praising Kennedy for helping pass the abortion clinic access bill and his sponsorship of the federal freedom of choice act, noted that Romney has in the past said he opposed Medicaid funding of abortion - though more recently he has said he would leave the issue up to the states - and has said states should retain the right to adopt restrictions such as parental consent. ‘There is no comparison between the two candidates for the US Senate from Massachusetts,’ said Gamble. ‘One, Sen. Edward Kennedy, is profoundly committed to women and their right to make their own childbearing decisions. The other, Mr. Romney, hides behind empty rhetoric, worthless promises and politically expedient flip-flops.’” [Boston Globe, 9/22/94]
1993: Romney Briefed Mormon Church Elders On His Position On Abortion In His Upcoming Senate Run. According to the Washington Examiner, “In November 1993, according to Scott, Romney said he and Wirthlin, a Mormon whose brother and father were high-ranking church officials, traveled to Salt Lake City to meet with church elders. Gathering in the Church Administration Building, Romney, in Scott’s words, ‘laid out for church leaders ... what his public position would be on abortion -- personally opposed but willing to let others decide for themselves.’ By Scott’s account, Romney wasn’t seeking approval or permission; he was telling the officials what he was going to do. Scott quotes a ‘senior church leader’ saying Romney ‘didn’t ask what his position should be, nor did he ask the brethren to endorse his position. He came to explain, and his explanation was consistent with church teachings and policies.’” [Washington Examiner, 12/29/11]
2006: As A Private Citizen Romney Counseled Women Not To Have Abortions. When asked about the accuracy of a 1994 Boston Globe article reporting, “as a Mormon lay leader [you] counseled Mormon women not to have abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or where the mother’s life was at risk,” Romney reported, “yes, as a private citizen I have counseled women not to have abortions.” [National Review Online, 12/14/06]
Romney Urged A Single Mother To Give Her Child Up For Adoption Or Be Excommunicated From The Mormon Church. According to the Boston Globe, “A single mother from Watertown claims Mitt Romney warned her a decade ago that she faced excommunication from the Mormon Church if she failed to follow his advice to give her newborn baby up for adoption through a church agency. Romney, a Republican candidate for US Senate who has portrayed himself as a social moderate, acknowledges he urged the mother to give her baby up for adoption but strongly denies threatening to throw her out of the church if she did not follow his advice. He notes the woman did not heed his advice and was not excommunicated. Yet Peggie Hayes, 34, said Romney, then a lay counselor for the local church, came to her home in 1984 shortly after she gave birth to her son, Dane. At the time, Hayes was divorced and had a 4-year-old daughter. ‘He told me it was really important to give the baby up,’ Hayes said. ‘He told me he was a representative of the church and by refusing I was failing to comply with the church’s wishes and I could be excommunicated.’ Hayes said that, though she was shaken by the incident, she rejected Romney’s advice and eventually dropped out of the church. Romney, who considers his counseling advice to Hayes confidential, received permission from Hayes yesterday to release a ‘limited statement’ on the matter. In the statement, Romney said he urged the adoption route because Hayes’ child was born out of wedlock. ‘This was Peggy’s second child,’ he said. ‘At the time, Peggy was not working, had no visible means of support and was living on welfare. She was also a member of a family that had had severe problems in many different ways which, to protect Peggy’s privacy, I will not go into in this statement.’” [The Boston Globe, 8/26/94]
Romney Pressured A Member Of His Congregation To Give Up Her Unborn Son For Adoption, And Threatened The Woman With Excommunication If She Failed To Comply. According to Vanity Fair, “Romney called Hayes one winter day and said he wanted to come over and talk. He arrived at her apartment in Somerville, a dense, largely working-class city just north of Boston. … Then Romney said something about the church’s adoption agency. Hayes initially thought she must have misunderstood. But Romney’s intent became apparent: he was urging her to give up her soon-to-be-born son for adoption, saying that was what the church wanted. …Hayes was deeply insulted. She told him she would never surrender her child. Sure, her life wasn’t exactly the picture of Rockwellian harmony, but she felt she was on a path to stability. In that moment, she also felt intimidated. Here was Romney, who held great power as her church leader and was the head of a wealthy, prominent Belmont family, sitting in her gritty apartment making grave demands. ‘And then he says, ‘Well, this is what the church wants you to do, and if you don’t, then you could be excommunicated for failing to follow the leadership of the church,’ ’ Hayes recalled. It was a serious threat. At that point Hayes still valued her place within the Mormon Church. ‘This is not playing around,’ she said. ‘This is not like ‘You don’t get to take Communion.’ This is like ‘You will not be saved. You will never see the face of God.’ ’ Romney would later deny that he had threatened Hayes with excommunication, but Hayes said his message was crystal clear: ‘Give up your son or give up your God.’” [Vanity Fair, 1/2/12]
Romney To A Woman Whose Life Was At Risk Due To A Risky Pregnancy: ‘My Concern Is With The Child.’ According to Vanity Fair, “In the fall of 1990, Exponent II published in its journal an unsigned essay by a married woman who, having already borne five children, had found herself some years earlier facing an unplanned sixth pregnancy. She couldn’t bear the thought of another child and was contemplating abortion. But the Mormon Church makes few exceptions to permit women to end a pregnancy. Church leaders have said that abortion can be justified in cases of rape or incest, when the health of the mother is seriously threatened, or when the fetus will surely not survive beyond birth. And even those circumstances ‘do not automatically justify an abortion,’ according to church policy. Then the woman’s doctors discovered she had a serious blood clot in her pelvis. She thought initially that would be her way out—of course she would have to get an abortion. But the doctors, she said, ultimately told her that, with some risk to her life, she might be able to deliver a full-term baby, whose chance of survival they put at 50 percent. One day in the hospital, her bishop—later identified as Romney, though she did not name him in the piece—paid her a visit. He told her about his nephew who had Down syndrome and what a blessing it had turned out to be for their family. ‘As your bishop,’ she said he told her, ‘my concern is with the child.’ The woman wrote, ‘Here I—a baptized, endowed, dedicated worker, and tithe-payer in the church—lay helpless, hurt, and frightened, trying to maintain my psychological equilibrium, and his concern was for the eight-week possibility in my uterus—not for me!’” [Vanity Fair, 1/2/12]
Romney Claimed Mormon Church Opposed Abortion But Was “Tolerant” Of Varying Political Positions. According to the Boston Globe, “At his announcement speech Wednesday, Romney said his church is tolerant of members taking political positions that are at variance with church doctrine. The Mormon Church is against abortion in most cases, while Romney says he would not attempt to alter existing laws dealing with abortion if he is elected.” [Boston Globe, 2/4/94]
Top Advisor: Romney Is A “Pro-life Mormon Faking It As Pro-Choice Friendly.” According to the Boston Globe, “At the same time, he told USA Today last month that he is in a ‘different place’ than he was in 1994, when he ran against US Senator Edward M. Kennedy. During that race, Romney said he believed that abortion ‘should be safe and legal in this country.’ Last week, he was quoted in the National Review as saying, ‘My political philosophy is prolife.’ The magazine, in a piece touting Romney’s presidential prospects, also quoted Michael Murphy, a top Romney political adviser, saying the governor has been a ‘prolife Mormon faking it as prochoice friendly.’” [Boston Globe, 6/6/05]
The LA Times: A New Book ‘Mitt Romney: An Inside Look At The Man And His Politics,’ Said Mitt Romney Went To Woman’s Parents To Try Stop An Abortion. According to The Los Angeles Times, ‘A year later he wasn’t as accepting with another congregation member. Carrell Hilton Sheldon was planning to have an abortion because a drug she’d been given to dissolve a blood clot was causing internal bleeding and could have harmed her fetus. Although her stake president recommended that she go through with the abortion, Romney, her bishop, visited her in the hospital to try to dissuade her, said Scott, the author of the Romney book. When that didn’t work, he visited Sheldon’s parents in the Boston suburb where they were babysitting her four other children, preaching to them until Sheldon’s father threw him out of the house, Scott said. ‘He was telling her father not to let her have the abortion, and her father threw him out,’ Scott said in an interview. ‘He was appalled at the arrogance of Romney.’’ [The Los Angeles Times, 12/7/11]
2012: Romney: “I Would Totally And Completely Oppose Any Effort To Ban Contraception.” During the ABC/Yahoo!/WMUR New Hampshire GOP primary debate, Romney said, “I would totally and completely oppose any effort to ban contraception. So you’re asking -- given the fact that there’s no state that wants to do so, and I don’t know of any candidate that wants to do so, you’re asking could it constitutionally be done? We can ask our constitutionalist here.” [The Washington Post, 1/7/12]
Romney Initially Supported Allowing Private Hospitals To Opt Out Of Offering Morning After Pill To Rape Victims But Reversed Course And Mandated They Make The Pill Available. According to the Boston Globe, “Governor Mitt Romney reversed course on the state’s new emergency contraception law yesterday, saying that all hospitals in the state will be obligated to provide the morning-after pill to rape victims. The decision overturns a ruling made public this week by the state Department of Public Health that privately run hospitals could opt out of the requirement if they objected on moral or religious grounds. Romney had initially supported that interpretation, but he said yesterday that he had changed direction after his legal counsel, Mark D. Nielsen, concluded Wednesday that the new law supersedes a preexisting statute that says private hospitals cannot be forced to provide abortions or contraception.” [Boston Globe, 12/9/05]
Romney Vetoed A Bill To Require Hospitals To Offer Emergency Contraception To Rape Victims But The Veto Was Overridden. According to the Eagle-Tribune, “There were also two controversial bills introduced that spurred a tussle between the Democratic majority-held Legislature and the Republican governor. Romney vetoed two bills that were later overridden by the Legislature. One law promotes stem cell research in Massachusetts and the second requires hospitals to offer emergency contraception pills to rape victims and allows pharmacists to provide them without a prescription.” [The Eagle-Tribune, 1/6/06]
2005: As Governor, Romney Vetoed A Bill That Would Require Hospitals To Offer Emergency Contraception To Rape Victims. According to the Huffington Post, “As governor of Massachusetts in 2005, Romney took a harder line on contraception, vetoing a widely supported bill that would make the morning-after pill available over the counter in that state and require hospitals to offer emergency contraception to rape victims. His surprising veto did not stand. The Massachusetts state Senate voted unanimously to overrule it, and the state House voted 139-16 to do the same.” [Huffington Post, 1/9/12]
2012: Romney Said Rule Requiring Church-Affiliated Employers To Require Birth Control Coverage, Including “Abortive Pills,” Infringed Upon “Right To Worship.” According to ABC News, “‘I’m just distressed as I watch our president try and infringe upon our rights, the First Amendment of the Constitution provides the right to worship in the way of our own choice,’ Romney said to nearly 3,000 people gathered in the gymnasium of Arapahoe High School, in Arapahoe County, an area known as a so-called ‘swing county’ that Obama won in 2008. ‘This same administration said that the churches and the institutions they run, such as schools and let’s say adoption agencies, hospitals, that they have to provide for their employees free of charge, contraceptives, morning after pills, in other words abortive pills, and the like at no cost,’ Romney said. ‘Think what that does to people in faiths that do not share those views. This is a violation of conscience…We must have a president who is willing to protect America’s first right, our right to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience,’ he said.” [The Note, ABC News, 2/6/12]
Romney Said Obama’s Amended Contraception Mandate Decision Was “Not Appropriate.” During the CNN Debate in Mesa, Arizona, Romney said, “I don’t think we’ve seen in the history of this country the kind of attack on religious conscience, religious freedom, religious tolerance that we’ve seen under Barack Obama. Most recently, of course -- most recently requiring the Catholic Church to provide for its employees and its various enterprises health care insurance that would include birth control, sterilization and the morning-after pill. Unbelievable. And he retried to retreat from that but he retreated in a way that was not appropriate, because these insurance companies now have to provide these same things and obviously the Catholic Church will end up paying for them.” [CNN, 02/22/12]
2005: Romney, Who Criticized Obama For Requiring Religious Employers To Offer Birth Control Coverage, Denied Birth Control Exemption To Catholic And Private Hospitals. According to the Huffington Post, “The Mitt Romney campaign sharply criticized President Barack Obama’s recent decision to require most religiously affiliated employers to offer their employees birth control coverage in an email to The New York Times Sunday, calling it a ‘direct attack on religious liberty.’ But in 2005, Romney made an almost identical decision as governor of Massachusetts. Romney vetoed a bill that would require hospitals to offer emergency contraception to rape victims, but the Massachusetts legislature overturned that veto. He then changed his position on the issue, denying Catholic and other private hospitals an exemption that would have allowed them to refuse to offer the pill to their patients.” [Huffington Post, 1/30/12]
Romney Courted Evangelical Voters By Criticizing Obama’s “Attack” On Religious Freedom By Requiring Contraceptive Coverage. According to Los Angeles Times, “In his remarks, which avoided hot-button social issues like gay marriage and abortion that are dear to many Christian conservatives, Romney echoed the rallying call. ‘The decision by the Obama administration to attack our first freedom, religious freedom, is one which I think a lot of people were shocked to see,’ said the former Massachusetts governor, referring to a requirement that employers, including those connected to religious organizations like the Catholic Church, provide contraceptive coverage under the 2010 healthcare law. The requirement has been modified. … Some evangelical leaders have been openly hostile to Romney because of his Mormon faith. But the Republican presidential candidate made it clear that he badly needs the support of evangelical Christians in November and is working to get it. ‘One of the reasons I’m on this broadcast with you,’ Romney said in concluding his 20-minute speech, ‘is that I desperately want to see you working hard, knocking on doors, calling friends, telling them what’s at stake.’” [Los Angeles Times, 6/17/12]
2012: Romney Called Morning After Pill “Abortive Pills.” According to ABC News, “Employing some of his most conservative rhetoric to date, Mitt Romney referred to morning after pills as ‘abortive pills’ during a speech at a rally in Colorado where he told the crowd about the importance of electing a president who will protect the ‘right to worship God.’” [The Note, ABC News, 2/6/12]
Romney Said As Governor He Vetoed Measure To Provide “Morning After Pill” To Teens. During the CNN debate in South Carolina, Romney said: “There was an effort to also have a morning-after pill provided to, as I recall, young women in their teens. I covered the exact age. I vetoed that.” [Sun Times, 1/20/12]
2005: Romney Vetoed Bill Increasing Access To Emergency Contraception. According to a Boston Globe op-ed, Romney wrote, “Yesterday I vetoed a bill that the Legislature forwarded to my desk. Though described by its sponsors as a measure relating to contraception, there is more to it than that. The bill does not involve only the prevention of conception: The drug it authorizes would also terminate life after conception. Signing such a measure into law would violate the promise I made to the citizens of Massachusetts when I ran for governor. I pledged that I would not change our abortion laws either to restrict abortion or to facilitate it.” [Romney Op-Ed, Boston Globe, 7/26/05]
1994: Romney Supported Availability Of The Morning After Pill. According to the Boston Herald, “Romney’s vaunted federalism disappears when it comes to abortion. As a senator, he would force states to fund abortions in cases of rape and incest. Otherwise, government funding should be up to the states, and he’s not offering an opinion on the morality of the same. He supports a ‘woman’s right to choose,’ would vote for the Freedom of Choice Act (but one that ‘only codifies’ Roe vs. Wade, not expands it), favors availability of the RU486 French abortion pill and would assure ‘a woman’s access to (cliche, cliche) family planning clinics’ - and First Amendment protests be damned.” [Boston Herald, 10/20/94]
Romney Said He Supported Defining Life As Beginning At Conception; Opposed Changing Abortion Law To Redefine As Life Beginning At “Implantation.” During the CNN debate in South Carolina, Romney said: “I was also a governor in a state where being pro-life was not easy. And -- and I -- and I battled hard. What came to my desk was a piece of legislation that we’re going redefine when life begins. In our state, we said life began at conception. The legislature wanted to change that to say no, we’re going to do it at implantation. I vetoed that.” [Sun Times, 01/20/12]
2011: Romney, On Huckabee, “Absolutely” Supported Constitutional Amendment Establishing Life Beginning At Conception. According to The New York Times, “In early October on his Fox News show, Mike Huckabee asked Mr. Romney if he would have supported ‘a constitutional amendment that would have established the definition of life at conception.’ ‘Absolutely,’ Mr. Romney said.” [The New York Times, 11/4/11]
2011: Romney Said He Supported Birth Control Because It “Prevents Conception.” According to Think Progress, “At a campaign event in Iowa [October 2011], GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney was confronted by a woman in the audience about his support for so-called ‘personhood’ laws that would define life as beginning at conception, effectively outlawing common forms of birth control. ‘98% of American women, including me, use birth control,’ she said, ‘so could you help me understand why you oppose the use of birth control?’ Romney answered ‘I don’t. I’m sorry. Life begins at conception. Birth control prevents conception.’” [Think Progress, 10/20/11]
Romney Bragged That He Vetoed Legislation To Define Life As Beginning At Implantation. At the CNN January, 2012 debate Romney was attacked by Senator Santorum for being inconsistent on choice, Romney responded, “Senator, I -- I admire the fact that you’ve been a stalwart defender of -- of pro-life and in a state where that’s not easy. I was also a governor in a state where being pro-life was not easy. And I -- and I battled hard. What came to my desk was a piece of legislation that said ‘We’re going to redefine when life begins.’ In our state, we said life began at conception. The legislature wanted to change that to say, ‘No, we’re going to do it an implantation.’ I vetoed that.” [CNN Debate, 1/21/12]
FDA-Approved Contraceptive Drugs Prevent Pregnancy By Suppressing Ovulation, Preventing Fertilization, Or Preventing Implantation. According to The Guttmacher Report On Public Policy on contraceptive insurance coverage, “FDA-approved contraceptive drugs and devices act to prevent pregnancy in three major ways: they can suppress ovulation; prevent fertilization by blocking the sperm and egg from uniting; or prevent implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterine lining.” [The Guttmacher Report On Public Policy, 10/1998]
FDA-Approved Contraceptive Drugs Can Differ In Method Of Pregnancy Prevention From Woman To Woman And Even In An Individual Woman. According to The Guttmacher Report On Public Policy on contraceptive insurance coverage, “Systemic methods can act in any of these three ways. While some methods are considered to have a primary mode of action, how a specific method works may vary from woman to woman and, depending on the timing of intercourse in relation to ovulation, even in an individual woman from month to month.” [The Guttmacher Report On Public Policy, 10/1998]
Hormonal Methods Containing Both Estrogen And Progestin Can Be Used To Prevent Pregnancy If Taken Within 72 Hours After Intercourse. According to The Guttmacher Report On Public Policy on contraceptive insurance coverage, “Hormonal methods either contain both estrogen and progestin, as is the case with the many different formulations of so-called combined oral contraceptives (the pill), or progestin alone, as is the case with injectables (Depo-Provera®), implants (Norplant®) and so-called minipills. Both combined pills and minipills, in specific doses, also may be used to prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours following unprotected intercourse (emergency contraception)—although, to date, only combined pills have specifically been approved by the FDA for this purpose.” [The Guttmacher Report On Public Policy, 10/1998]
Barrier Contraceptive Methods Such As Condoms Prevent Sperm And Egg From Uniting With No Impact On Ovulation Or Implantation. According to The Guttmacher Report On Public Policy on contraceptive insurance coverage, “Barrier methods act by preventing the sperm and egg from uniting, or by killing the sperm altogether; they have no impact on ovulation or implantation. Condoms (male and female), diaphragms and cervical caps block the passage of semen into a woman’s cervix. The latter two must be used with spermicides for maximum efficacy; spermicides can also be used alone. Contraceptive sterilization may be considered the ultimate barrier method in that it involves surgical cutting or blocking of a woman’s fallopian tubes or a man’s vas deferens, thus permanently preventing an egg and sperm from uniting.” [The Guttmacher Report On Public Policy, 10/1998]
Oral Contraceptives Render The Endometrium Of The Uterus “Inhospitable” To Implantation. According to the Archives of Family Medicine, “Oral contraceptives directly affect the endometrium. These effects have been presumed to render the endometrium relatively inhospitable to implantation or to the maintenance of the preembryo or embryo prior to clinically recognized pregnancy by producing a predecidual or decidualized endometrial bed with diminished thickness and with widely spaced, exhausted, and atrophied glands; by altering the cellular structure of the endometrium, leading to the production of areas of edema alternating with areas of dense cellularity; and by altering the biochemical and protein composition of the endometrium.” [Arch Fam Med, 2/2000]
Pregnancy Begins When A Fertilized Egg Is Implanted In The Wall Of A Woman’s Uterus. According to The Guttmacher Report On Public Policy on implications of defining pregnancy, “The question of when life begins is an eternal one, debated by philosophers and theologians for centuries, and likely destined to forever elude consensus. However, on the separate but closely related question of when a woman is considered pregnant, the medical community has long been clear: Pregnancy is established when a fertilized egg has been implanted in the wall of a woman’s uterus. The definition is critical to distinguishing between a contraceptive that prevents pregnancy and an abortifacient that terminates it. And on this point, federal policy has long been both consistent and in accord with the scientists: Drugs and devices that act before implantation prevent, rather than terminate, pregnancy.” [The Guttmacher Report On Public Policy, 5/2005]
Pregnancy Occurs After Implantation Of “Preembryo” Is Completed, A Process Taking Between 5 To 18 Days. According to The Guttmacher Report On Public Policy on implications of defining pregnancy, “To be sure, not every act of intercourse results in a pregnancy. First, ovulation (i.e., the monthly release of a woman’s egg) must occur. Then, the egg must be fertilized. Fertilization describes the process by which a single sperm gradually penetrates the layers of an egg to form a new cell (‘zygote’). This usually occurs in the fallopian tubes and can take up to 24 hours. There is only a short window during which an egg can be fertilized. If fertilization does not occur during that time, the egg dissolves and then hormonal changes trigger menstruation; however, if fertilization does occur, the zygote divides and differentiates into a ‘preembryo’ while being carried down the fallopian tube toward the uterus. Implantation of the preembryo in the uterine lining begins about five days after fertilization. Implantation can be completed as early as eight days or as late as 18 days after fertilization, but usually takes about 14 days. Between one-third and one-half of all fertilized eggs never fully implant. A pregnancy is considered to be established only after implantation is complete. Source: American College of Obstetricans and Gynecologists.” [The Guttmacher Report On Public Policy, 5/2005]
State Laws Regulating Abortion Vary On Defining When Pregnancy Begins. According to The Guttmacher Report On Public Policy on implications of defining pregnancy, “At the state level, however, definitions of pregnancy—generally, as part of larger measures enacted to regulate abortion or prescribe penalties for assaulting a pregnant woman—vary widely. Some of these laws say that pregnancy begins at fertilization, others at implantation. Several use the term ‘conception,’ which is often used synonymously with fertilization but, medically, is equated with implantation.” [The Guttmacher Report On Public Policy, 5/2005]
2005: State Laws Regulating Abortion Have Not Been Used To Restrict Hormonal Contraceptive Methods Affecting Fertilization Or Implantation. According to The Guttmacher Report On Public Policy on implications of defining pregnancy, “To date, none of these laws has been used to restrict access to the array of hormonal contraceptive methods that can sometimes act between fertilization and implantation, but such restrictions are a long-standing goal of at least some antiabortion and anticontraception activists. And although attempts to legislatively impose the belief that pregnancy begins at fertilization have been repeatedly (sometimes narrowly) rebuffed—most recently by Congress in 1998—the current debate over emergency contraception has moved the issue back to center stage once again.” [The Guttmacher Report On Public Policy, 5/2005]
Romney Said White House “Way Overstepped” Its Bounds On Contraception Rule. According to a press release, during an interview on Fox News’ “Your World With Neil Cavuto,” Romney said “When I was governor of my state, the legislature passed a bill saying emergency contraception was going to be provided through Catholic hospitals and other institutions. I vetoed that bill. We have found from liberals across the country, an effort to impose their will on religious organizations and on the population at large, and that is something we have to fight at every turn.” He added “…I am happy to see that individuals recognize that there is more than one part to the First Amendment and that the protection of religious liberty is also there not just the freedom of the press, and, I appreciate the fact that people on both sides of the aisle and even the Supreme Court when it related to determining who was a minister, the liberals on the court sided with the constitution. It’s a good sign. I think the administration has way overstepped the bounds here and I think they’re going to have to retreat.” [Romney For President, 2/09/12]
Republicans And Obama’s Campaign Said Romney’s Contraception Attack On The President Were Hypocritical. According to The Hill, “Romney has been hammering Obama’s mandate, believing the issue can help him to appeal both to the religious right and centrist Catholic voters who supported the president in the last election. But both his Democratic and Republican opponents on Tuesday pointed out that as governor of Massachusetts, he required all hospitals — including Catholic institutions — to provide the morning-after pill. […]That has Romney’s political opponents calling the former governor a hypocrite. Newt Gingrich told a crowd at a restaurant in Ohio that Romney was no better on the issue than the president. […] The president’s team has also adopted the critique of Romney’s Massachusetts record in defending the bill. ‘Hope petition signers don’t find out Mitts MA policies are identical,’ tweeted deputy campaign manager Stephanie Cutter on Monday. Obama adviser David Axelrod admonished Romney for using the issue as a “political football” during an interview on MSNBC Tuesday (Feb 07).” [The Hill, 2/07/12]
Romney Said Obama’s Amended Contraception Mandate Decision Was “Not Appropriate.” According to CNN, During the CNN Debate in Mesa, Arizona, Romney said, “I don’t think we’ve seen in the history of this country the kind of attack on religious conscience, religious freedom, religious tolerance that we’ve seen under Barack Obama. Most recently, of course -- most recently requiring the Catholic Church to provide for its employees and its various enterprises health care insurance that would include birth control, sterilization and the morning-after pill. Unbelievable. And he retried to retreat from that but he retreated in a way that was not appropriate, because these insurance companies now have to provide these same things and obviously the Catholic Church will end up paying for them.” [CNN, 2/22/12]
Romney Suggested ABC’s George Stephanopoulos Coordinated With The White House In Debate Contraception Question. According to CNN, During the CNN Debate in Mesa, Arizona Romney said: “John, what’s happened -- and you recall back in the debate that we had George Stephanopoulos talking out about birth control, we wondered why in the world did contraception -- and it’s like, why is he going there? Well, we found out when Barack Obama continued his attack on religious conscience.” [CNN, 2/22/12]
Romney Did Not Support The Blunt Amendment Allowing Employers To Deny “Morally Objectionable” Health Coverage. According to Washington Post, “Jim Heath, a reporter for ONN-TV in Ohio, just Tweeted a remarkable piece of news: Mitt Romney told him he does not support the Blunt amendment, which would empower employers and insurers to deny health coverage they find morally objectionable… Heath asks Romney if he’s for the ‘Blunt-Rubio’ amendment, and defines it. Romney replies: ‘I’m not for the bill. But, look, the idea of presidential candidates getting into questions about contraception within a relationship between a man and a woman, husband and wife, I’m not going there.’ That’s pretty remarkable. If Romney knew what he was saying, the Senate GOP caucus, which is set to vote on this amendment tomorrow, may feel as if Romney has pulled the rug out from underneath them.” [The Plum Line, Washington Post, 2/29/12]
DNC Attacked Romney Over His Support For The Rubio-Blunt Amendment. According to CNN, “Democrats continued to capitalize Thursday on an unforced error from Mitt Romney Wednesday when he came out against a controversial Senate amendment that would allow employers to opt out of health care coverage they disagree with on moral grounds. Romney later said he misunderstood a reporter’s question and voiced support for the legislation, which is backed by leading conservatives. The Democratic National Committee released a web video that used news reports to describe Romney’s stumble and accused him of trying to take away women’s control over their health care. ‘So what does the bill that Romney champions mean for women,’ a graphic in the spot read. ‘Any employer could refuse to cover contraception, vaccines, diabetes testing during pregnancy … The affordable care act gives millions of women control over their own health care. Mitt Romney would take it away.’” [Political Ticker, CNN, 3/01/12]
Romney Said Rush Limbaugh’s “Slut” Attack on Sandra Fluke Was “Not The Language” He Would Have Used. According to The Hill, “Mitt Romney weighed in on Rush Limbaugh’s attacks on a law student who testified about the birth control mandate. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney weighed in on the Rush Limbaugh controversy in which he called a law school student a ‘slut,’ telling reporters at a campaign stop that it’s ‘not the language’ he would have used. ‘I’ll just say this, which is, it’s not the language I would have used,’ Romney said, after appearing in a rally at Cleveland State University. ‘I’m focusing on the issues I think are significant in the country today and that’s why I’m here talking about jobs and Ohio.’” [Ballot Box, The Hill, 3/03/12]
Romney Believed That Griswold V. Connecticut Was Not Decided Correctly By The Supreme Court. According to The New Yorker, “Since the first time Mitt Romney ran for President, four years ago, he’s been on record reversing his previous support for abortion rights. However, when pressed by George Stephanopoulos in the debate Saturday night, Romney went beyond mere opposition to Roe. He said he thought Griswold v. Connecticut, the 1965 case that first made explicit the right to privacy, was also wrong. ‘I don’t believe they decided that correctly,’ Romney said. In this, the front-runner was eagerly seconded by Rick Santorum, who said the Justices ‘created through a penumbra of rights a new right to privacy that was not in the Constitution.’” [The New Yorker, 1/10/12]
Romney Was Not Aware That Griswold V. Connecticut Established A Constitutional Right To Privacy. According to the Washington Post, during the ABC/Yahoo!/WMUR New Hampshire GOP primary debate, Romney had the following exchange with moderator George Stephanopoulos: “Stephanopoulos: Hold on a second. Governor, you went to Harvard Law School. You know very well this is based on... Romney: Has the Supreme Court -- has the Supreme Court decided that states do not have the right to provide contraception? I... Stephanopoulos: Yes, they have. In 1965, Griswold v. Connecticut… Romney: The -- I believe in the -- that the law of the land is as spoken by the Supreme Court, and that if we disagree with the Supreme Court -- and occasionally I do -- then we have a process under the Constitution to change that decision. And it’s -- it’s known as the amendment process.” [The Washington Post, 1/7/12]
Romney’s Campaign Said Federal Funding Should Be Limited To Stem Cell Research Using Adult Cells And Objected To Methods Requiring Embryo Farming Or Cloning. According to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “The Nobel Prize in medicine last week went for research offering a possible alternative to embryonic stem cells, but voters attuned to questions of medical research and morality can still consider their alternatives in candidates. President Barack Obama and U.S. Senate candidate Tammy Baldwin support federal funding for the full range of stem cell research going on in labs like those at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney hasn’t directly said, while a spokeswoman for U.S. Senate candidate Tommy Thompson, the Republican challenging Baldwin, said he supports federal funding for research on some embryonic stem cell lines but not others… Conservative groups are confident that both Romney and Thompson would at least roll back Obama’s expansion of federal funding for embryonic stem cells. ‘The way we read (a Romney campaign) statement is he’s not going to outlaw embryonic stem cells research, but he believes federal money should be put into the moral alternatives,’ said Barbara Lyons, executive director of Wisconsin Right to Life… The Romney campaign didn’t directly answer a question from the Journal Sentinel on whether as president he would pull back federal funding for embryonic stem cells. ‘He believes that, instead, federal funding should be limited to research involving adult stem cells or alternate methods that do not require embryo farming or cloning,’ the Romney campaign said in a statement that did not spell out the ‘alternate methods.’” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/14/12]
2011: Romney Said He Supported Stem Cell Research Using Only The Embryos That Are Already In Existence. Romney was asked, “So are you for stem cell research?” Romney replied, “Absolutely. Not for creating new embryos for the purpose of killing them. Using the ones that are there that are going to be discarded anyway. I laid out a whole policy on this when I was governor and I continue to believe that policy. But I wouldn’t create new embryos for the purpose of research alone. But those that are being used now could be used.” [The View, ABC, 2/1/11]
The Statesman Journal Kathleen Parker Opinion: Romney Put A Lot Of Thought In To Stem Cell Flip Flop. According to The Statesman Journal Kathleen Parker opinion article, “Romney’s change of heart evolved not from personal experience but rather from a purposeful course of study. I know this because I know the man who instructed him in 2005 on the basics of embryonic life during the stem-cell research debate then taking place in Massachusetts… Enter William Hurlbut, a physician and professor of biomedical ethics at Stanford University Medical School. For several hours, Hurlbut and Romney met in the governor’s office and went through the dynamics of conception, embryonic development and the repercussions of research that targets nascent human life. It was not a light lunch… “Several things about our conversation still stand out strongly in my mind,” Hurlbut told me. “First, he clearly recognized the significance of the issue, not just as a current controversy, but as a matter that would define the character of our culture way into the future. “Second, it was obvious that he had put in a real effort to understand both the scientific prospects and the broader social implications. Finally, I was impressed by both his clarity of mind and sincerity of heart. … He recognized that this was not a matter of purely abstract theory or merely pragmatic governance, but a crucial moment in how we are to regard nascent human life and the broader meaning of medicine in the service of life.”“ [Statesman Journal Kathleen Parker Opinion, 12/1/11]
Romney Previously Fought Against Stem Cell Research More Actively Than Any Other Governor But Now Says He Hasn’t Followed It Much Over The Last Year. Ramesh Ponnuru wrote in the National Review, “Romney has not complained about Obama’s social liberalism. At one point, Romney was fighting against liberal policies on stem cells more actively than any other governor in the country. When I asked him about Obama’s record on the subject, he began his answer by noting that he had not been following it much over the last year.” [National Review, 10/19/09]
2007: MA Attorney General Said Stem Cell Regulations Enacted During Romney Administration Hindered Research. According to the Boston Globe, “Attorney General Martha Coakley says stem cell regulations enacted during the Romney administration counteract the intent of legislation passed one year earlier to encourage cutting-edge research in Massachusetts. Then-Governor Mitt Romney vetoed the 2005 stem cell legislation, but the House and Senate overrode him. Stem cell research advocates said the regulations enacted in August undermine the changes in the law. ‘The Romney administration, through the Department of Public Health, put restrictive regulations on who and under what circumstances that research could go forward. That, I believe, is in direct contravention to what the legislative intent was that in changing the old statute,’ Coakley said today after a speech to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.” [Boston Globe, 1/30/07]
Pro-Life Advocates Questioned Romney’s Opposition To Stem-Cell Research. According to LifeNews.com, “More than any other candidate, Mitt Romney has received considerable scrutiny on the issue of abortion as a result of his change of position on the issue just a few years ago. Now the GOP presidential candidate is facing questions that he flip-flopped on the issue of embryonic stem cell research… In 2005, then-Governor Romney indicated he supported the embryonic funding measure, according to a New York Times report. ‘The United States House of Representatives voted for a bill that was identical to what I proposed,’ Romney said. ‘They voted to provide for surplus embryos from in vitro fertilization processes being used for research and experimentation. That’s what I said I support.’ Romney made a distinction in his position during the first Republican presidential debate last month, making it appear he supports keeping embryonic stem cell research legal but won’t subject taxpayers to funding it. He said he would be ‘happy’ to allow embryonic stem cell research using ‘leftover’ human embryos and then qualified his statement. ‘I shouldn’t say happy. It’s fine for that to be allowed, to be legal. I won’t use our government funds for that,’ he explained. Peter Flaherty, Romney’s deputy campaign manager and his bioethics advisor during his tenure as governor, told the New York Times that Romney is solidly against embryonic stem cell research funding using public money. ‘From the moment we sat down as an administration to formulate a policy on stem cell research, the governor has never been a proponent of expanded federal funding or state funding for embryonic stem cell research,’ he said. ‘Governor Romney is a strong advocate for federal funding for alternative methods to get pluripotent stem cells, such as altered nuclear transfer and direct reprogramming,’ Flaherty added. But Matthew David, a spokesman for John McCain, doesn’t buy it. ‘It shouldn’t surprise any Republican primary voters that Mitt Romney has changed his position on federal funding of stem cells, just like he did on … abortion,’ David told the newspaper. Ironically, McCain has upset pro-life advocates by repeatedly voting to fund embryonic stem cell research.” [LifeNews.com, 6/18/07]
Romney Said It Was Fine To Allow Embryonic Research As Long As It Wasn’t Government Funded. While at the MSNBC Republican Primary debate Mitt Romney was asked “Mrs. Reagan wants expand federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. Will that progress under your administration? Governor? Mitt Romney: It certainly will. Altered nuclear transfer I think is perhaps the best source. Chris Matthews: Embryonic. Mitt Romney: Altered nuclear transfer creates embryo like cells that could be used for stem cell research. In my view that’s the promising source. I have a deep concern about curing disease. I have a wife that has a serious disease that could be affected by stem cell research and others, but I will not, I will not create new embryos through cloning or through embryo farming, because that would be creating life for the purpose of destroying it. Chris Matthews: And you won’t take these from the fertility clinics to use either? Mitt Romney: I am happy to allow that… I shouldn’t say happy. It’s fine to be allowed. To be legal. I won’t use our government funds for that. Instead I want our government funds to be used on Doctor Horbert’s (Spelling May Be Wrong) method which is altered nuclear transfer.” [MSNBC Presidential Debate 5/3/07, 58:18]
2007: Romney Said He Would “Be Happy To Allow” Scientists To Do Research On Embryos At Fertility Clinics. According to the New York Times, “But in a little-noticed moment at the first Republican presidential debate, last month in California, Mr. Romney was asked whether he would encourage broader federal financing. When he did not directly answer that question, he was pressed on whether scientists should be able to do research at all on embryos that fertility clinics would otherwise discard anyway. Mr. Romney said he would be “happy to allow that,” then stopped himself and said: “I shouldn’t say happy. It’s fine for that to be allowed, to be legal. I won’t use our government funds for that.” [New York Times, 6/15/07]
Romney Was “Willing To Compromise” On Allowing Scientists To Use Discarded Stem Cells. According to the American Spectator, “In 2005, the Boston Globe reported: ‘Unlike some other social conservatives, including President Bush, Mr. Romney said he did not object to scientists’ obtaining stem cells from fertility clinic embryos because those would probably be discarded anyway and because they were created with the intention of helping couples generate life.’ At the same time as the Globe was covering Romney’s position, National Review was calling it ‘a non-ideal (from the pro-life vantage point) but pragmatic compromise move.’ ‘That’s the problem some social conservatives have with Romney. He was willing to compromise on an issue that many of us would not compromise on,’ says a board member of the American Conservative Union. ‘If you are a Republican and a conservative, you’ve seen what happens when you support compromisers. I don’t care how many people say they know Mitt Romney’s heart. President Bush said he knew Putin’s and look where that’s gotten us.’” [American Spectator, 1/17/07]
Romney Praised Skin Cell Research Development. According to MSNBC, “After scientists announced that they can use skin cells as opposed to stem cells to do research, Romney praised the development saying, ‘this technology was something that I supported’ while Governor of Massachusetts. Romney pointed out that when it came time to fund this research, ‘There were two senators who voted no of particular interest…. They were Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Thank heavens they weren’t the ones making the decision.’” [MSNBC, 11/21/07]
Romney Favored Research On Existing Cells. According to The Associated Press, “Romney has said that he favored research on existing stem cells but that he opposed somatic cell nuclear transfer in which scientists clone embryos in order to give them genes of a person with a disease. Romney said, ‘It crosses a very bright line to take sperm and eggs in the laboratory and start creating human life. It creates embryos. It is Orwellian in scope. In laboratories, you could have trays of new embryos being created. It’s almost like the movie, ‘The Matrix.’’” [Associated Press, 10/8/07]
2005: Romney Expressed Support For A Stem Cell Bill Passed By The House Of Representatives That Bush Vetoed. “Less than a year later, Mr. Romney also spoke favorably of a federal stem cell measure that had just been passed by the House of Representatives but that Mr. Bush eventually vetoed. The governor himself had just vetoed a Massachusetts bill that, going further than the federal legislation, would have opened the door to a controversial technique entailing the cloning of embryos for purposes of experimentation. In response to a question then, Mr. Romney drew a distinction between the House bill and the state measure. ‘The United States House of Representatives voted for a bill that was identical to what I proposed,’ Mr. Romney said. ‘They voted to provide for surplus embryos from in vitro fertilization processes being used for research and experimentation. That’s what I said I support.’” [New York Times, 6/15/07]
Romney Supported Stem Cell Research But Opposed “Cloning” For Medical Research. According to the American Spectator, “After weeks of attacks from social conservatives, former Gov. Mitt Romney and his press agents are doing their best to persuade conservatives that the Man from Massachusetts is one of them. But unfortunately, Romney’s own messages keep getting mixed up. For example, within the past week, the Romney campaign attempted to clarify -- if not solidify -- Romney’s position on stem cell research. As Romney’s bona fides as a dedicated convert to the pro-life positions continue to be called into question, the campaign and surrogates have ratcheted up the volume on messages that Romney really does believe in the sanctity of life in ways he did not a decade ago. In a written statement mailed to reporters who had queried Romney’s position on stem cell research, a Romney spokesman wrote: ‘Governor Romney supports using adult stem cells and other alternative methods that do not destroy the embryo. Governor Romney supports stem cell research but opposes scientifically creating life ‘cloning’ for medical research.’ But Romney’s position today appears to overlook a major differentiator in the stem cell debate: the disposition of so-called ‘left over’ embryos, those frozen in such medical facilities as fertility clinics.” [American Spectator, 1/17/07]
Romney Warned Stem Cell Research Could Lead To “Embryo Farming.” According to the Associated Press, “Last year Romney warned that continuing embryonic stem cell research could lead to ‘Orwellian embryo farming.’” [Associated Press, 10/8/07]
2007: Romney Said He Would Veto Stem Cell Measure Similar To The One He Spoke Favorably About In 2005. According to the New York Times, “The stem cell issue took on added relevance this month after the Democratic-led Congress passed a measure similar to the earlier bill that Mr. Bush vetoed and that Mr. Romney spoke favorably about in 2005. Mr. Bush is expected to veto the new measure as well, and Mr. Flaherty said Mr. Romney would also reject it.” [New York Times, 6/15/07]
Romney Refused to Sign Stem Cell Research Bill. According to the Associated Press, “Romney is refusing to sign a recently approved stem cell bill unless lawmakers amend it to ban cloning for research, a practice he describes as ethically wrong. Romney also wants the bill to include sanctions _ up to five to 10 years in jail _ for anyone who violates the ban on “therapeutic cloning.” The bill al-ready bars cloning for reproduction purpose. The governor supports research using adult stem cells or leftover frozen embryos from fertility clinics. ‘Human cloning for any purpose _ whether for research or reproduction _ is ethically wrong,’ Romney wrote in a letter. ‘Once cloning occurs, a human life is set in motion.’ The bill effectively gives the state’s blessing to therapeutic cloning or somatic cell nuclear transfer _ a process by which scientists create a cloned embryo to harvest embryonic stem cells which they hope can be used to treat and cure disease. Under current state law, scientists interested in conducting embryonic stem cell research need the approval of the local district attorney. The bill would remove that requirement, give the state Health Department some regulatory controls and ban cloning for reproductive purposes. Romney has said before he would not sign the Legislature’s bill, which was approved by far more than the two-thirds majority needed to override his veto. Lawmakers can adopt his changes or return the bill to Romney as it is. Then Romney can veto the bill or allow it to become law without his signature.” [Associated Press, 5/12/05]
2005: Romney Urged Changes To Stem Cell Bill, Added Amendments To Prohibit Cloning. According to the Boston Globe, “Romney said that he will reject the Legislature’s bill supporting stem cell research, urging lawmakers to rewrite the measure to prohibit scientists from cloning and to remove a passage that redefines when life begins. Romney had said previously that he planned to veto the bill, but for now he has decided to return the measure to the Legislature with four amendments. One amendment would prohibit scientists from cloning human cells, a controversial technique called “nuclear transfer” that the Legislature supports by a substantial majority, but which the governor opposes. Cloning is unethical, he has said, because it requires researchers to create human embryos specifically for research. ‘It is very conceivable that scientific advances will allow an embryo to be grown for a substantial period of time outside the uterus,” Romney said in an interview with the Globe. ‘To say that it is not life at one month or two months or four months or full term, just because it had never been in a uterus, would be absurd.’” [Boston Globe, 5/12/05]
2005: Romney Vetoed Stem Cell Legislation. According to the Boston Globe, “Romney vetoed a bill yesterday that seeks to expand stem cell experiments in Massachusetts because it would allow the cloning of human embryos a practice he has called morally wrong. The Democratic-controlled Legislature passed the bill by big enough margins to override his veto when lawmakers take up the measure again next week. Romney, a Republican, supports research using either adult stem cells or cells extracted from leftover frozen embryos from fertility clinics. But he has urged lawmakers to ban cloning, because extracting the stem cells destroys the embryos. That amounts to creating human life only to destroy it, he has said. Romney, often mentioned as a potential candidate for president in 2008, had also urged lawmakers to include language defining the beginning of life as the moment of conception, banning the production of embryos for other research purposes, and limiting compensation to women who donate their eggs. The Legislature rejected all four amendments.” [Boston Globe, 5/28/05]
2006: Romney’s Administration Inserted Restriction Stating “Embryos Could Not Be Produced ‘With The Sole Intent Of Using The Embryo For Research.’” According to The Boston Globe, ‘When the Public Health Council was called upon last year to implement portions of the law, the Romney administration inserted a restriction stating that embryos could not be produced ‘with the sole intent of using the embryo for research.’ The pivotal part of that rule - and the part that troubled scientists - was the word ‘using.’’ [The Boston Globe, 10/11/07]
National Review: Romney “Clear-Thinking And Honest” On Stem Cells. National Review’s Lopez wrote Romney has “proven to be one of the more clear-thinking and honest politicians” on the “heated” topic of stem cell research. Even if his position “hasn’t been ideal,” he has made a “valiant effort and shed some light on the opposition’s endgame.” For those taken with the advancement of a cause, Romney’s actions “deserve” to be considered outside of the ‘08 schema. Pro-life supporters “who also happen to be cynics or are otherwise ticked off at Romney,” should consider that he is “currently fighting an uphill battle while basically carrying their banner.” [National Review, 5/12/05]
Romney Vetoed Two Critical Bills, On Stem-Cell Research And Emergency Contraception. According to the Eagle-Tribune, “There were also two controversial bills introduced that spurred a tussle between the Democratic majority-held Legislature and the Republican governor. Romney vetoed two bills that were later overridden by the Legislature. One law promotes stem cell research in Massachusetts and the second requires hospitals to offer emergency contraception pills to rape victims and allows pharmacists to provide them without a prescription.” [The Eagle-Tribune, 1/6/06]
Romney-Backed Stem Cell Regulations Could Be Overturned. According to the Associated Press, “Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick appointed a state health panel that is ready to undo stem cell regulations that were put in place by Romney. Researchers say Romney’s regulations undermined a 2005 law designed to encourage stem cell research and made it more difficult for Massachusetts researchers to communicate and work with researchers in other states. Massachusetts redid its Public Health Panel, giving Gov. Patrick the power to appoint the 15 members.” [Associated Press, 10/8/07]
Romney Accused Of Politicizing Stem Cells. According to the Boston Herald, “The Editorial points out Romney defied the will of the Legislature at the time, which had wanted more stem cell research. It accuses Romney of picking the political fight only to help his Presidential prospects. [Editorial, Boston Herald, 9/11/07]
Romney Said He Changed His View On Abortion Because Of Embryonic Stem Cell Legislation. Mitt Romney told CNN’s Piers Morgan “When I ran for governor, I believed I could keep the law as it was. And I said I’d keep the law as it was. Then when I became governor, a piece of legislation came to my desk which would have led to the creation of new life for the purposes of destroying it. And I simply couldn’t sign it. And I -- I met with my staff and said, look, I’ve got to write why I have changed my view in this regard. It was one thing to talk about it philosophically, it’s another thing, as governor, to sign a piece of legislation that will take human life. I wrote that op-ed while I was governor and became pro-life and I continue to be pro- life.” [CNN’s Piers Morgan, 6/7/11 ]
Romney Said He Changed His View On Abortion Following Meeting With Harvard Researchers Regarding Embryonic Stem Cell Research. Mitt Romney told the National Review “My position has changed and I have acknowledged that. How that came about is that several years ago, in the course of the stem-cell-research debate I met with a pair of experts from Harvard. At one point the experts pointed out that embryonic-stem-cell research should not be a moral issue because the embryos were destroyed at 14 days. After the meeting I looked over at Beth Myers, my chief of staff, and we both had exactly the same reaction - it just hit us hard just how much the sanctity of life had been cheapened by virtue of the Roe v. Wade mentality.” [Mitt Romney Interview, Nation Review, 12/14/06 ]
Romney Owned Between $100,000-$250,000 In Stock In A Drug Company That Performed Stem Cell Research. “One of his trusts owned between $100,000 and $250,000 in stock in the biotechnology and drug company Novo Nordisk, which describes itself on its Web site as an “active partner in national and international cooperative projects involving stem cells.” Many religious conservatives, whose votes Romney is courting, oppose the scientific use of embryonic stem cells because the cells often come from aborted fetuses.” [Washington Post, 8/15/07]
Romney Appointed An Opponent Of Human Cloning To Panel That Authorizes Grants For Stem Cell Research. According to Life News, “Romney, who is a likely Republican presidential candidate in 2008, has appointed an opponent of human cloning to a panel that authorizes grants for stem cell research. The appointment is drawing criticism from backers of allowing human cloning for research purposes. Romney appointed Aaron D’Elia, an assistant secretary in the Executive Office of Administration and Finance, to be the executive director of the stem cell research board. According to an AP report, the board members of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center approved the appointment on a 4-1 vote. The panel was created by the state legislature to oversee stem cell research grants. The report said that, while he supports some embryonic stem cell research, D’Elia opposes attempts from scientists to use human cloning to create human embryos specifically for their destruction for their stem cells.” [LifeNews.com, 12/1/06]
2012: Romney Claimed He Pushed For Abstinence Education As Governor. According to the Sun Times, during the CNN debate in South Carolina, Romney said: “The legislature did not want abstinence education. I pushed and pursued abstinence education. I stood as a pro-life governor, and that’s why the Massachusetts pro-life family association supported my record as governor, endorsed my record as governor. I did my very best to be a pro-life governor. I will be a pro-life president. I’m proud of that. I wrote about it in my book. My record is solid.” [Sun Times, 01/20/12]
Romney Implemented Abstinence Only Sex Education “Reversing Another Campaign Position.” According to the Boston Globe, “Romney also implemented abstinence-only sex education in public schools, reversing another campaign position.” [Boston Globe, 6/30/07]
Romney Wanted To Spend $800,000 Appropriated For Sexual Education On Abstinence Lectures. According to an editorial in the Berkshire Eagle, “Legislators were also wise to reject the governor’s plan to spend $800,000 in federal money lecturing teenagers in school about abstaining from sexual relations. The state already has a sex education curriculum that while encouraging abstinence takes a much more realistic view of adolescent sexuality and teaches students to protect themselves and respect others. By failing to use the money for media education programs, as promised in the grant application, the governor was risking the loss of the federal money altogether. Certainly, the campaign’s prospects for success seem dubious in the face of a media culture that objectifies and commodifies young people and their sexuality to sell everything from computers to fast food. In the old days, as Representative William ‘Smitty’ Pignatelli of Lenox observes, it was the parents’ job to teach their kids the facts of life. All the government spending in the world cannot make up for their abdication of that responsibility.” [Editorial, The Berkshire Eagle, 3/13/05]
2002: Romney Indicated Opposition To Abstinence Only Programs. According to the Boston Globe, “On that same 2002 questionnaire, Mitt Romney – in addition to showing support for ‘sex education in public schools’ – also indicated that he ‘opposes abstinence-only programs.’”[Boston Globe, 4/10/02]
2006: Romney Succeeding In Funneling $1 Million From Abstinence Media Campaign To Abstinence Education In The Classroom. According to the Boston Globe, “Romney announced that Massachusetts ‘will funnel nearly $1M in fed funds to a faith-based organization to teach abstinence to public middle school students in a dozen or more communities across the state. It will mark the first time Massachusetts will spend fed abstinence education funds for classroom programs. The group, Healthy Futures, will make the program available in Boston, Lawrence, Lowell and Lynn, where about 9,000 students will participate.’” [Boston Globe, 4/21/06]
As Governor, Romney Directed Grants To Abstinence Only Education. According to the Boston Globe, “Governor Deval Patrick wants to end state-sponsored, abstinence-only sex education in Massachusetts, a year after Governor Mitt Romney ordered the Department of Public Health to redirect a long-standing federal abstinence grant to classes that focus exclusively on encouraging teenagers to avoid sexual encounters. Patrick proposed forgoing the $700,000 grant, which the state has received since 1998, joining at least six other states in rebelling against increasingly restrictive federal mandates about how the money can be used. The Patrick administration points to the federal government’s study of abstinence-education programs, released this month, which found that students in programs focusing solely on abstinence are just as likely to have sex as those not in such programs.” [Boston Globe, 4/24/07]
2005: Romney Vetoed $1 Million for Family Planning Education and Counseling to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. According to the Boston Herald, “For the 2005 fiscal year, Mitt Romney ‘vetoed $1 million that would have doubled the money spent on programs to prevent teen pregnancy.’ Subsequently, reported the Boston Herald, ‘For the first time since 1997, the Bay State saw no decrease in the births of children to teenagers in the latest public health report.’ Such pregnancy prevention programs included counseling, sex education and use of contraceptives. Though Romney’s office did not comment on the double-digit increases in some communities, the public health spokeswoman said, ‘Our teen pregnancy rate is half the national average and we think the amount of funding is sufficient.’” [Boston Herald, 7/6/05]
Romney Opposed Legislation that Would Make Sex Education Mandatory in Public Schools. According to the Patriot Ledger, “Romney drew chuckles at a State House press conference Wednesday when he explained his opposition to a bill that would make sex education mandatory in all public schools. ‘In my service as governor I’ve never had someone come up to me and say, ‘You know what? My kids just are just not learning enough about sex in school, they’re just not getting enough of it,’ Romney said.” [Patriot Ledger, 2/4/06]
Romney Pushed Abstinence Program for Certain Massachusetts Schools. According to the Boston Globe, “The Romney administration plans to introduce a new abstinence education program in Massachusetts schools, the state’s most aggressive effort yet to use a controversial method of teaching Bay State teenagers about sex. The campaign, scheduled to last through June 2007, will only target certain schools and will be aimed especially at teens in black and Hispanic communities, who tend to have higher rates of sexual activity. The campaign would be funded by a $50 million federal abstinence-only grant program, which provides money to states for initiatives that teach abstinence but deliberately do not address condoms and other methods of contraception.” [Boston Globe, 12/21/05]
Romney Praised Bush’s Abstinence Based AIDs Program. According to the Los Angeles Times, “In a video sent to the Global Summit on AIDS, Romney praised Bush’s abstinence based AIDS programs.” [Los Angeles Times, 11/30/07]
Romney Donated $2,500 To Abstinence Education Foundation. According to the Boston Globe, “In 2003, Romney’s Tyler Charitable Foundation donated $2,500 to the Best Friends Foundation, Washington Based non-profit which promotes sexual abstinence for teenagers. The Best Friends Foundation was founded by Elayne Bennett, wife of conservative commentator William J. Bennett”. [Boston Globe, 8/28/05; staff, bestfriendsfoundation.org, viewed 7/25/06]
2002: Romney Said Yes to “Age Appropriate” Sex Education. According to the Boston Globe, “After he introduced an abstinence-only plan, ‘Critics of the new approach say it reflects a change in Romney’s position on abstinence-only education since he answered ‘yes’ when asked on an April 2002 Planned Parenthood questionnaire: ‘Do you support the teaching of responsible, age-appropriate, factually accurate health and sexuality education, including information about both abstinence and contraception, in public schools?’” [Boston Globe, 12/21/05]
Romney Said Condom Distribution In Schools Is State And Local Issue And “If The Community Feels That Condom Distribution Is A Helpful Thing, Then That Community Should Be Able To Do That.” According to the Boston Globe, “On whether he’d support condom distribution in schools: ‘Here again you’ll hear me saying the same thing on a number of issues, there are choices I think should be made at the state and local level that I don’t like the federal government getting into. I like important moral decisions being made closest to where people live, at the state and local level. So if the community feels that condom distribution is a helpful thing, then that community should be able to do that. And if another community feels that’s something they don’t support, then they should have the right to do that, as well. You will find in me a continuing philosophical commitment to allow people to make their own choices and to allow the people in the country to decide what’s best for them, instead of letting politicians decide what should be done for the country.” [Boston Globe, 12/8/06]