Romney: Abortion not on my agenda

Mitt Romney said on Tuesday that he has no plans for abortion legislation if elected president, a statement that is more moderate than ones he's made on the issue in the past.

"There's no legislation with regards to abortion that I'm familiar with that would become part of my agenda," Romney told the Des Moines Register editorial board.

In an interview with an Ohio TV station during the heat of the Republican primary in February, Romney said he was "in favor of a pro-life policy." He noted that "the legislation that relates to abortion is something which is going to have to be approved by the Supreme Court," a body to which he would appoint nominees to fill any vacancies if he is elected.

Asked to clarify the Republican nominee's position, Romney spokesman Andrea Saul sent an email saying that Romney "is proudly pro-life, and he will be a pro-life president." She also said that Romney "would of course support legislation aimed at providing greater protections for life."

Romney did tell the Register that he would reinstate the so-called "Mexico City policy" that bans U.S. foreign aid from being used for abortions, pointing out that President Obama dropped the policy on his 10th day in office.

The Obama campaign was quick to pounce on its rival's statements, with spokeswoman Lis Smith saying that women can't trust Romney on the topic.

"It's troubling that Mitt Romney is so willing to play politics with such important issues," Smith said. "But we know the truth about where he stands on a woman's right to choose - he's said he'd be delighted to sign a bill banning all abortions, and called Roe v. Wade 'one of the darkest moments in Supreme Court history' while pledging to appoint Supreme Court justices who will overturn it."

It is not the first time Romney has run into trouble for shifting his language on abortion since becoming the Republican nominee. In an August interview with Scott Pelley of CBS News, Romney said he was in favor of abortion being legal "in the case of rape and incest, and the health and life of the mother."

At the time, a spokesperson had to clarify that Romney did not support the exception to protect the health of the pregnant woman, according to NPR News. Many abortion opponents, including Romney's running mate Paul Ryan, do not support this exception because they believe it creates a loophole, such as for a mental health exception.

Romney supported abortion rights in 1994, when he unsuccessfully ran against Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy, and again in 2002 when he was elected the Bay State's governor. He has explained that his thinking on the issue has evolved over time, something the fact-checking website PolitiFact rated a "full flop."

[Jaylah54200]

I have no problem with people's views on issues evolving over time.

What I do have a problem with is somebody whose "view" -- on EVERYTHING -- changes almost daily.

That's not evolution. That's pandering.

[Charlie459]

I agree. Romney has shifted positions on so many issues so often (and sometimes within a matter of hours) that I have no idea what he would actually do as president--except that he has shown no willingness to stand up to the right wing of the Republican Party. Some of their ideas are very troubling.

[deuelpete]

An Abortion has cause many people to kill their children out side the womb because in their minds they think why can't I kill my child if they let children be killed in the womb and called it Abortion, its Murder. Now remember there are many people who have had little schooling and many who are just plain evil.

[Todd_Wilday]

People are still talking about abortion? Unless Roe v Wade is overturned, this discussion is pointless.

[OnTheCrown]

Exactly!

[rksharma-2009]

correction: Policies in Massachusetts were driven by democrats and not Romney, and this is why those policies helped middle class people.

[rksharma-2009]

The Romney that showed up for the debate was not the Romney that the republican party nominated, and we all know this. The question is if Romney got elected, how will he govern? The answer it quite obvious. Whenever, Romney makes a statement that is to make the normal thinking people good, his staff changes that position just 1hr after his speech. Which shows that he has sold his soul to the devil and that is how he will be forced to govern. His running mate is tea-party republican. Romney will indeed follow the policies from the Ryan and can never run as a moderate. When he talks about his record in Massachusetts, people need to know that 87% of the legislature there were democrats, this is why his policies make sense because they were driven by democrats and Romney.

[OnTheCrown]

A_MODERATE says:Abortion is not on his agenda FOR NOW! Romney has flipped back and forth on this issue so much

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Romney has flipped on a wide range of issues just like the president who was against a mandate before he was for it and then "evolved" magically overnight on gay marriage.

[Dancing-in-the-Streets]

What in the world happened here last night? Looked like y'all were havin so much fun when I left and now it appears there are people missing!

George?
Bad Ranger?? : (

[1pheasant1]

The Conservative Court is sure to take up the issue.

[circ_adia]

You mean that "conservative" court that okayed the Obamacare individual mandate?

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

Good lord - all of Dan and Empress' comment were deleted? LMAO!

[Lindag20]

So much for "outing" you. I came back and they were GONE.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

Again, I think it's one of those deals where they reported me, and the censors looked at their comments, too ;)

[A_Moderate]

Abortion is not on his agenda FOR NOW! Romney has flipped back and forth on this issue so much - how can anyone trust what he says?

[OnTheCrown]

He's a moderate. Always has been.

[Ericwvb]

"He's a moderate. Always has been." -- We've always been at war with Eurasia.