Romney abortion view overrides Ryan in Akin response

AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek

(CBS News) MANCHESTER, N.H. - Vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan's strong views on abortion took a back seat to his new boss's view in a Romney-Ryan campaign response to a Missouri Senate candidate's controversial remarks about rape and abortion.

The statement on behalf of Ryan and presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney said the pair would "not oppose abortion in instances of rape."

Rep. Todd Akin suggested to St. Louis station KTVI on Sunday that if a "legitimate rape" occurs, "the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down." Even if a pregnancy did result, Akin said, "The punishment ought to be on the rapist and not attacking the child." He later said he has empathy for rape victims and acknowledged that rapes can cause pregnancy.

"Gov. Romney and Congressman Ryan disagree with Mr. Akin's statement, and a Romney-Ryan administration would not oppose abortion in instances of rape," the campaign said in a brief statement released on Sunday evening by Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul.

Romney rebukes Akin rape remark
Paul Ryan's anti-abortion rights record a target for Obama camp
Mo. Rep. Todd Akin: Rape rarely leads to pregnancy

Ryan, R-Wis., holds a 100 percent voting record with the National Right to Life Committee. As far back as Ryan's 1998 campaign, he is described as only finding abortion acceptable if the life of the mother is in danger, according to multiple articles in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that are referenced in a fact-checking article about Ryan's views. He also opposes any exceptions to a procedure known as partial-birth abortion, according to the article.

When asked earlier this month whether his views have changed since his 1998 campaign, a spokesman for Ryan told CBS News that Ryan does believe some exceptions can be made by families and their doctor when the life of the mother is at risk

Still, Ryan may have gone even further in his opposition to abortion last year when he co-sponsored the "Sanctity of Human Life Act" - also known as a "Personhood Amendment" - that sought to designate the start of human life at fertilization. The bill did not designate what exceptions, if any, would be allowed.

While Ryan's views on abortion appear to be longstanding and deeply held, they have not played a central role in his congressional career. Neither Ryan's official website nor his campaign website include a section on social issues. An essay Ryan authored for The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, in 2010 ties his views on the definition of life to the issue of economic freedom, an issue he discusses much more frequently.

"I write as an unswerving proponent of both free market choice and the natural right to life. It is unfortunate that 'life' and 'choice' were ever separated and viewed as alternatives. This is a false dilemma. Logically, each implicates the other," Ryan wrote. "I am deeply committed to capitalism, the 'system of natural liberty'... Free markets create unparalleled prosperity and have a moral basis in freedom and choice."

[CanadianPerspective]

Romney's statement that Rape, Incest, Life-Threatening incidences that only then a woman would be permitted to have an abortion. How many false accusations would be made toward men who had unprotected consensual intercourse resulting in an unwanted pregnancy with the woman who cries wolf? Or, regardless of innocence or not, would a pregnant female need to wait for a sexual assault/incest conviction prior to being permitted an abortion? By the time the criminal case goes to trial, the mom-to-be probably would have already given birth the baby or it would be too late to legally have an abortion. Oh and if the man just happens to be innocent and wouldn't have been accused in the first place all because his accuser wanted an abortion by any means possible. What if innocent men wind up in prison, be labelled a sexual predator, etc. Their lives would be destroyed. It happens all the time with today's laws, not that all men are innocent.

Another thing, Romney/Ryan might be able to prevent low-income women from seeking an abortion. However, high-income women would just leave USA to seek a Vacation-Abortion. For example, Canada/Europe where women actually have rights. You ever wonder why Churches are showering Romney/Ryan with money? I wouldn't be surprised if Romney/Ryan think women should be subservient to men, they're nothing more than a couple of Male Chauvinist Pigs!

[lesserof2evil]

So the war on women is just some imaginary fantasy cooked up by liberals to smear the phony Christian conservatives?

[abbe91]

Sure. Check how Ryan and co voted against S 181 (Lily Ledbetter fair pay act).

[Christians4Obama]

Far too many Christians agree with Adkins. The Christian right has gone astray. If you agree, come join us at Christians for Obama.
http://www.facebook.com/ChristiansForObama

[Christians4Obama]

All rape is forcible.

[abbe91]

And none is "legitimate".

[selfcentrist]

It seems the Romney/Ryan ticket wants to energize Democrats and alienate independents. Good.

[Dancing-in-the-Streets]

OBAMA/BIDEN 2012 : )

[cntrygirl3]

Mr. Romney is whatever is expedient for the moment to try and get elected, Mr. Ryan is a hard right social conservative republican. Of course he believes that a woman made pregnant by rape shouldn't be allowed to have an abortion. The hard right social conservatives control the republican party AND the tea party which have become one in the same. Don't let any of this fool you this is what most republicans truly believe. Ryan is by far the dominant personality of the two, exactly whose views are really going to win out, the "me to" presidential candidate or the true believer VP.

[wazgriffin]

Paul Ryan and Akin are old buddies. They co-authored the republican house bill to end abortions for women made pregnant by rape. It is unknown if Ryan shares Akin lack of knowledge regarding human biology, however the two do share the believe that climate change is a myth and corporations are people with Romney. Republican war on women, war on the planet and war on the middle class continues.

[TimeToEvolve]

What a truly disgusting bunch of creeps these Republicons have become. I would like to think there a just a few bad apples but I am afraid their sick and radical views has spread like a plague upon us. We should all be very afraid of these people.

[cubscout09]

The current House debate over the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act further demonstrates the difference between the Republican and Democrat positions on women's civil rights, especially, minority women. Interesting that this article features opposition between Representative Gwen Moore(D)Wisconsin, and Ryan.

http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2012/0730/Pass-a-Violence-Against-Women-Act-that-protects-American-Indian-women

I am sure that it is no coincidence that 1/6th of the much maligned ACA is reform to health care for Native Americans.

The battle over Wisconsin Assembly Bill 426 also demonstrates GOP disregard for Native American Treaties and the US Constitution.

[Lindag20]

by zenia5 August 20, 2012 12:17 PM EDT
@KPeters....I agree...the Tea Party is the absolute worst thing that could have happened to the GOP...along with the Evangelicals. They have become a bunch of irrational extremists who do not care about what is best for the majority of Americans. Their focus seems to be primarily on social and personal issues rather than how to fix the economy and other important issues we are facing.

---------------------------
I too agree. These people also don't have enough insight to realize they are the dupes of the plutocrats either. While they run around thinking they're "saving" the country and pretend they're "John Galt" they don't have a clue that they're creating the very society of stiffling government overreach and mediocrity run by a select few that the fictional character was struggling against. Sort of the ultimate irony, but Tea Party and evnagelicals aren't noted for their intelligence and insight.

[HolyVoice]

Lindag20, you make an exceptional point.

[Dancing-in-the-Streets]

by AOCGUY August 20, 2012 12:27 PM EDT
I think you are all getting a bit paranoid.
---------------

The post about the "personhood laws" being used to prosecute women who've had miscarriages. Sorry, wish it was just paranoia. But its already been done! : (

[seabass6251]

Please direct me to which proposed law would have been "used to prosecute women who've had miscarriages."

[Dancing-in-the-Streets]

I just did.