What is Romney's real position on abortion?

(CBS News) There are now just 27 days until the presidential election, and the race is as tight as it can get. Wednesday's Gallup poll of likely voters has President Obama at 48 percent and Mitt Romney at 48 percent.

"Evening News" anchor Scott Pelley speaks with CBS News Political Director John Dickerson, who is reporting from Sidney, Ohio. A transcript follows.

Pelley: John, in the primaries, Gov. Romney took a hard line again abortion except in cases of rape, incest or the health of the mother. But today, he said this in the Des Moines Register: "There's no legislation with regards to abortion that I'm familiar with that would become part of my agenda."

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Then, Romney had followed that with this today: "I think I've said time and again I'm a pro-life candidate and I'll be a pro-life president. The actions I'll take immediately are to remove funding for Planned Parenthood."

John, I wonder if you can help us untangle all of this?

Dickerson: Well, this is a very tricky issue for Gov. Romney, who is about to arrive here in western Ohio. He's had a number of positions on abortion. When he was running for governor in the 1990s, he said he would protect abortion rights. But now he has the opposite view. When people heard these comments to the Des Moines Register, they thought he was moderating his position. But if you looked at them closely, it didn't contradict anything that he said in this campaign, and, indeed, his subsequent remarks backed that up.

But Gov. Romney has been moderating his position or emphasizing the more moderate parts recently and downplaying the more conservative parts. He has pledged once in office he'll do everything to restrict abortion rights. This moderation could be the good marketing that all candidates do once they get into a general election have to appeal to a general election audience.

But what the Obama campaign says it's a bigger, broader strategy that on issues from Medicare to taxes to now abortion, Gov. Romney -- who referred to himself as a severe conservative -- is now trying to hide that.

[goplies]

This empty suit, Rmoney, is a perfect illustration of why the founders were so opposed to political parties. Here we have a man running for the highest office in the land and, although no one really knows where he stands on any of the issues, millions of brainwashed lemmings will vote for him simply because he is of their 'party'.

Sad.

[wisdomandtruth2]

Planned Parenthood is a private organization-not a branch of the government.(BTW, they performed 332,278 abortions last year.) By law federal funding cannot be used for abortion. It will make it without the government dole. We should not borrow money from China to give to private organizations no matter what their agenda. When we do it adds to the deficit we and our children have to pay back. Many private organizations will eventually lose government funding. Either now while we have a shred of our economy left or in the
future when the economy collapses and we start from the ground up again. As a woman who has never had an abortion, I keep wondering, "How many abortions do you people plan on having?"

[dmbplb557]

I also find funny how when Obama changes position he is just "evolving", but when Romney does it he is "flip-flopping".

Obama must be a hypnotist because that is the only explanation for the rampant stupidity aflicting Democrat supporters! Either that or they are "drugged" on government support and cannot think for themselves or support themselves!

[dmbplb557]

Actually, it is Obama who has no position on anything. Wasn't that the entire premise of the "Hope and Change" mantra. Obama says, "We won't tell you what we want to do , but put us in office and then we will force you to do it!". Kind of like Pelosi on ObamaCare - "We have to pass it so you can see whats in it.". Someone needs to tell these idiot Democrats that a democracy (which we don't have anyway) is when the people get to know BEFORE we vote you in or pass legislation. A Republic (which is what we ACTUALLY have) also requires that the people get to know what you intend to do BEFORE you get into office. Whatever the Democrats are pushing now is neither a Republic nor a Democracy - makes you wonder what they are really pushing on us!!

[lami987]

All the evidences say Romney has no real position on anything other than to make more money for himself and his wealthy buddies. He'll do anything to accomplish that including outsourcing of U.S. jobs and move U.S. manufacturing abroad while he is talking job creation in the U.S.

[Thinkbeforeyouwrite]

What day is it?

[newseer]

THIS IS TYPICAL OF ROMNEY, THE EPITOMY OF FLIP FLOP, CHANGING HIS STANCES ALMOST DAILY. HE DID IT, CYNICALLY, IN THE DEBATE W. OBAMA IN FRONT OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE. WE CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE HIM AS PRESIDENT, AS IT WOULD BE DISASTROUS FOR ALL AMERICANS. THIS WEAKLING AND HIS RUNNING MATE, DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY, PERSONALITY, RESOLUTION, HOINESTY AND OTHER QUALITIES REQUIRED FOR A PRESIDENT. OBAMA HAS BEEN MAKING GREAT STRIDES IN SOLVING THE "NUCLEAR ECONIOMIC AND SOCIAL MELTDOWN" (THE "RADIATION" STILL CAUSING DAMAGES, AND WILL CONTINUE FOR SOME TIME) THAT WE INHERITED FROM THE 2 REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATIONS.. THIS TOGETHER W. THE FACT THAT ROMMNEY HAS BEEN STASHING HIS FORTUNE IN SECRET ACCOUNTS OVERSEAS TO AVOID PAYING TAXES, FULLY DISQUALIFY HIM TO BE OUR PRESIDENT.

[dmbplb557]

by Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals
"I am not willing to see a woman's right to privacy infringed upon"

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What about the baby's rights? Oh that is right, we have to dehumanize them so you can kill them without affecting your conscience. Way to stick up for the rights of all!

[lami987]

Yes baby's rights are very important don't let Romney/Ryan make cuts to endanger livelihood of any baby including those from low income Americans. Oh that is right, forgive me, you must be talking about abortion. God didn't consider Adam a living person until he was breathing. Please at least read Genesis 2:7.

[pr_boxer]

The "real question" is, what is Romney's "real" position on anything? If he actually has any "real" position he hasn't indicated it yet!

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

by dmbplb557
It is so nice to see all the "tolerating" liberals on this forum attacking Romney for believing that ALL human life is dignified and has inalienable rights including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

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LIBERALS? I know plenty of conservatives who support abortion rights, including myself.

I am not willing to see a woman's right to privacy infringed upon.

What would the plan be? Make them register when they last had their period, and ban out-of-state travel for those suspected to be pregnant?

So much for "Small Government" in your little version of reality.

[dmbplb557]

Oh okay, so with that logic, if a woman wants to kill her 2 year old child in the "privacy" of her own home, we should just be okay with that?

You do not have the "right" to kill a child simply because you don't want to raise it. Stop hiding behind "women's rights" - that is a farce and you know it. Killing an innocent child is the lowest form of killing. Period.

Small Government is not anarchy.

[dmbplb557]

Oh and by the way, it takes two to make a baby - so it is not just a woman who should be making that decision.

[wisdomandtruth2]

Abortion is killing a completely helpless baby. How can you be for murder? Women who have abortions are later haunted by visions of the child they killed. They wonder what will God or, if you prefer, Karma do to them? The men fathering aborted babies who are complicit are just as guilty.