LEXINGTON, S.C., April 13, 2007

Romney Mum On Abortion Ultrasound Bill

‘08 Hopeful Declines To Weigh In On Women Viewing Ultrasound Before Abortion

  • Play CBS Video Video Romney's Religion

    The GOP's biggest early fundraiser, Mitt Romney, is best known for being a Mormon. Jim Axelrod checks into how much of an issue Romney's religion is with Republican voters.

  • Video Republicans Vie For Top Spot

    John Harris of Politico.com discusses the race for the Republican presidential nomination with Hannah Storm. He says John McCain must reenergize his campaign, and Mitt Romney looks like a contender.

  • Video Mitt Romney On The Issues

    Only On The Web: Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney sat down with Jim Axelrod and discussed the troop surge in Iraq; his stance on abortion, and his religious background.

  • Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks during a breakfast with local residents on March 29, 2007, during a campaign stop in Bluffton, S.C. Photo

    Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks during a breakfast with local residents on March 29, 2007, during a campaign stop in Bluffton, S.C.  (AP)

(CBS/AP)  Republican Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney declined Friday to weigh in on a South Carolina proposal that would require women seeking an abortion to view an ultrasound.

Instead, the former Massachusetts governor said states should make their own abortion laws.

"I would like to see each state be able to make its own law with regard to abortion," Romney said after a speech to about 50 small business leaders. "I think the Roe v. Wade one-size-fits-all approach is wrong."

Although Romney's presidential campaign reported earning nearly as much as the campaigns of Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, his name recognition isn't on the same level.

A new CBS News poll shows that 7 in 10 Republican primary voters say they don't really know Romney. And those who do associate one thing more than any other with him — not that he was Massachusetts governor or head of the Salt Lake Olympics, CBS News chief White House correspondent Jim Axelrod reports. They know Romney is a Mormon.

And after Islam, the Mormon faith is the one most Americans still consider a deal-breaker in backing a candidate.

But, as Axelrod reports, the candidate has faith that his faith won't be an issue.

South Carolina is an early voting state dominated by conservatives who oppose abortion rights. The ultrasound requirement has generated much emotional debate in the state Legislature.

Proponents think women would change their minds after seeing an ultrasound and choose to keep the child or offer it for adoption. Critics consider it a way to intimidate women who already have made a difficult decision.

The House approved a version of the bill requiring women to view the images. If that proposal were enacted, it would make South Carolina the only state with such a requirement. However, a state Senate panel this week removed that language, setting up a possible showdown between the two Republican-dominated chambers.

South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster, a Republican, said he supports the requirement, but forcing a woman to view an ultrasound would be illegal. McMaster's opinion led the senate subcommittee to make viewing the ultrasound an option, rather than a requirement.

Critics have said Romney has reversed his position on abortion rights, and he has sought to reassure social conservatives that he sincerely opposes abortion.

Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, also campaigning in the state, reaffirmed his support Thursday for legislation that would mandate the requirement.

Romney's visit began a two-day swing through South Carolina. He plans to visit several county conventions, which his campaign has called key building blocks for the primary race here.

Also Friday, Romney announced that Lt. Gen. Claudius "Bud" Elmer Watts III and Brig. Gen. Thomas R. Mikolajcik would serve as chairmen of a veterans coalition supporting Romney in South Carolina.

The announcement came one day after South Carolina Adjutant Gen. Stan Spears threw his support behind Arizona Sen. John McCain, announcing he would lead a similar veterans panel.



© MMVII, CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Add a Comment See all 32 Comments
by randalds April 13, 2007 4:51 PM PDT
Of course he won't say anything. He's already been exposed as someone who'll say anything to get votes. He was pro-choice, but not when talking to a anti-abortion crowd. He's pro-gay rights, but only when talking to a pro-gay right crowd. He's a hunter when talking to a group of hunters and pro-gun control when talking to crime victims. He's the new man for all seasons. Tell him what your group believes in and he'll believe it too if you sell him your vote for the privilege. I doubt even he knows what he believes in any more. He's a blank sheet of paper who allows anyone to write anything on him, as long as they'll vote for him. He's pathetic. Then again he does sound like a classic republican politician, so maybe he has a shot after all.
Reply to this comment
by skyk-2009 April 13, 2007 5:01 PM PDT
Mit he Twit has a REAL problem. He can't get the nomination of his party without bowing to the Trash that is the Religious Reich. If he does that then he'll be saddled with them and their fascist veiws during the election. LMAO
Reply to this comment
by stezzer April 13, 2007 5:33 PM PDT
I like Mr. Romney. Abortion is a very difficult issue, it shouldn't be used as birth control but there are circumstances when it should be available as an option.

I think Mr. Romney is right not to entrench himself into any particular camp. An open mind is a sign of a good and honest politician.

Reply to this comment
by forthepeopl1 April 13, 2007 6:22 PM PDT
Quote

"The president must acknowledge that his conduct has compromised the integrity and effectiveness of the World Bank Group and has destroyed the staff's trust in his leadership."

World Bank Group Staff Association.

HERE WHAT THE PRESIDENT THINKS BOYS AND GIRLS LIKE YOU ALL DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD BE DIFFERANT DID YOU.
Posted by forthepeopl1 at 06:18 PM : Apr 13, 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wolfowitz still has the support of the White House, according to spokesperson Dana Perino, who said, "The president has full confidence in Paul Wolfowitz. He's done a remarkable job at the World Bank, where they are working to lift people up out of poverty from around the world."

WHAT A JOKE THIS COUNTRY IS AND CAN YOU BELEIVE THAT THE PRESIDENT IS SAYING ITS OK. WHAT A JOKE I GUESS ITS TIME TO LEAVE THIS COUNTRY BECAUSE THIS PRESIDENT AND ALL HIS CRIME FAMILY ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.OUR CONGRESS ARE TO SCARD TO SAY ANYTHING OR DO ANYTHING
Reply to this comment
by forthepeopl1 April 13, 2007 6:26 PM PDT
I WOUNDER IF I COULD YELL GANG RAPE LOUD ANOUGH IF I COULD SUE THE GOVERNMENT FOR NOT PROTECTING ME FROM BUSH,CHENEY,RUMSFELD

DO YOU THINK I HAVE A CHANCE
Reply to this comment
by dallison7 April 13, 2007 6:50 PM PDT
I think Mr. Romney is right not to entrench himself into any particular camp. An open mind is a sign of a good and honest politician.


Posted by Stezzer



You gotta e kidding... Romney not entrench himself into a particular camp??? An open mind???

The man's a Mormon!!
Reply to this comment
by randalds April 13, 2007 7:39 PM PDT
When he was running for governor of Massachusetts he said he was pro-choice, pro-ga*y rights, and pro-gun control. Now he's running for the republican nomination for president and he now says he's anti-abortion, anti-ga*y rights and has magically become a "life long hunter" . The question that needs to be asked is, was he lying then or is he lying now? One way or another he's a big time liar. here's hoping he the nominee, because he's going to be easy to take apart.
Reply to this comment
by sevenveils April 13, 2007 8:13 PM PDT
What's so strange about Romney's 180 degree miracle turn around in his political stance. He's already gone from Democrat to Republican. And a religious leader who he has high regards for, went from gay to straight after just 2 weeks of intensive praying.
Reply to this comment
by kansas1946 April 13, 2007 9:06 PM PDT
I wouldn't say anything about this bill either. It is the most stupid thing that I have ever heard of. So exactly how did these SC idiots think such a law would be enforced. Strap the woman in a chair and sew her eylids open.
Reply to this comment
by forthepeopl1 April 13, 2007 9:41 PM PDT
Glenn Greenwald has a nice post which catalogs just how common this Administration "accidentally" loses information and evidence, particularly when it's vital to an ongoing investigation. It's not just once or twice, but CONSTANT, almost as if it's STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE for these clowns.

And I quote:

This administration does not believe it is subject to oversight or the rule of law. They hate investigations and scrutiny and do everything possible -- legal and illegal -- to block them...

...They affirmatively believe in lying and destroying evidence and obstructing investigations in order to conceal their behavior. They believe that anything they do is, by definition, good and right, and therefore there is never anything wrong with attempts to hide it or even misleading the country about what they did.

i want the senate to send a supeana to this fasish little bratt dana in the press office that thinks her kings do nothing worng.. she would run for the hills,,i hate her lieing its to bad she hook up all the decete.

i only wish is that someone she loves dies in this war that her kings stared.. and maybe she would have a differant look on them.

look it a bird no a plain no it its its ah s/h/i/t/ its only a big peice of s/h/i/t/again flying out of bushes and cheney mouths.lie lie lie lie lie lie lie l ie
Reply to this comment
by randalds April 14, 2007 1:09 AM PDT
I wouldn't say anything about this bill either. It is the most stupid thing that I have ever heard of. So exactly how did these SC idiots think such a law would be enforced. Strap the woman in a chair and sew her eylids open.
Posted by kansas1946 at 09:06 PM : Apr 13, 2007

Don't give the religious right wing nuts any ideas. With that image they'll think you're appealing to their sexual fantasies....er...excuse me...penance ideas.
Reply to this comment
by zootallures2 April 14, 2007 4:50 AM PDT
Abort the whole country. How about x-rays to see if any of you have a brain?
Reply to this comment
by perception5 April 14, 2007 7:52 AM PDT
A new CBS News poll shows that 7 in 10 Republican primary voters say they don't really know Romney. And those who do associate one thing more than any other with him %u2014 not that he was Massachusetts governor or head of the Salt Lake Olympics, CBS News chief White House correspondent Jim Axelrod reports. They know Romney is a Mormon.

...Yeah that's because our corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack has made SURE the people know that he's Mormon.
What would be nice is if the liberal Dems that make up our wolfpack would give the same type of multi million dollar gift they gave Obama for the past seven months when our corrupt wolfpack had Obama's smiling face on the front of every newspaper, magazine, and internet webpage.
Mit Romney is so much like Ronald Reagan it's hard to believe........when Americans get a chance to see him and listen to him they will turn towards him ........no question.
But will our corrupt liberal wolfpack smear and destroy him???? that's the question. One thing is for SURE he is the biggest threat to the Dems and their buds in our wolfpack when it come to 2008.
Reply to this comment
by skyk-2009 April 14, 2007 8:53 AM PDT
But will our corrupt liberal wolfpack smear and destroy him???? that's the question. One thing is for SURE he is the biggest threat to the Dems and their buds in our wolfpack when it come to 2008.

Posted by perception5 at 07:52 AM : Apr 14, 2007

Now I live in the South Sparky and your post makes absolutely NO sense. Why? Because I do not know of any Fascist in this area ANYWHERE that listens to your "Liberal" Press. In fact they act like Fauk Noise is the ONLY news channel. Since it is THEY that are saying they don't trust the guy, exactly HOW is that the fault of the "liberal" Media? You see swastika breath things have changed because of the failures of Bush. People in this nation are on to the age old fascist trick of blaming all evils on your hate Target. Just isn't working for you clowns anymore. I'd suggest you find a BETTER approach and soon.
Reply to this comment
by forthepeopl1 April 14, 2007 8:55 AM PDT
THIS IS THE TIME TO TAKE UP ARMS AGAINST OUR GOVERNMENT NOW....

ITS OUR RIGHT AS AMERICANS AND ITS IN THE CONSTITUTION THAT IF THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT DOING WHAT THE AMERICANS ARE ASKING FOR.

SO LETS CHANGE IT. THEY CANT GET ALL OF US, AND IF WE CHARGE ALL AT ONCE THEY CANT SHOOT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS AT THE SAME TIME. SO LETS GET EVERYONE READY TO HAVE THE GREATEST REVOLUTION THIS COUNTRY HAS EVER HAD.

THEY WANT A CIVIL WAR, THEY WILL HAVE IT GIVEN TO THEM ON A PLATTER.AMERICANS NEED TO STAND UP FOR AMERICA, BEFORE ITS TO LATE..

EMAIL ME TO WHEN YOU ALL WANT TO START. FOR-AMERICA@HOTMAIL.COM AND I WILL BE READY TO GO AND GIVE MY BLOOD FOR OUR COUNRTY.AS A VET I KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT.AND THIS GOVERNMENT IS NOT RIGHT.SO OIL UP YOUR WEAPONS
Reply to this comment
by skyk-2009 April 14, 2007 8:57 AM PDT
think Mr. Romney is right not to entrench himself into any particular camp. An open mind is a sign of a good and honest politician.


Posted by Stezzer at 05:33 PM : Apr 13, 2007
+ report abuse

In other words do what that slime dog Bush did. Pretend to be a moderate while behind the curtain being a Fascist. I just have a sneaky belief that such acts will not work on the American People a second time. Any HINT of being a part of leading from the Religious Reich will doom him with the Average American.
Reply to this comment
by forthepeopl1 April 14, 2007 9:14 AM PDT
MITT IS A TWO FACE TRUE POLITITION LIKE EVERYONE THAT IS RUNNING.

THATS WHY WE NEED SOMEONE THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH POLITICS OR ANYONE IN THE OFFICE AS OF RIGHT NOW.

BECAUSE KNOW MATTER WHAT THEY SAY THEY WILL BE ONLY LIEING TO GET VOTES TO GET IN THE HOT SEAT..
Reply to this comment
by abbe7 April 14, 2007 9:37 AM PDT
"...Yeah that's because our corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack has made SURE the people know that he's Mormon.
What would be nice is if the liberal Dems that make up our wolfpack would give the same type of multi million dollar gift they gave Obama for the past seven months when our corrupt wolfpack had Obama's smiling face on the front of every newspaper, magazine, and internet webpage"

So the corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack has made SURE the people know that he's ... black ! LOL !
Reply to this comment
by liberalvet April 14, 2007 9:43 AM PDT
Who cares about Romeny. The real issue here is the fact that women's rights are being trampled on by a state full of narrow minded bible thumping idiots.
Reply to this comment
by eloso April 14, 2007 10:21 AM PDT
As an individual who is a registered independent, please let Romney be the Republican Presidential choice or even Newt or Guliani or even McCain. Heck, I'd like to see any of these folks run. It just guarantees a democratic sweep in 2008. The Bush administration and the do nothing Republican congress have so damaged our great country that there is no way the public is going to buy into their story as spun by Karl Rove this time around. Republican party, you are done, toast, we the public do not believe in you any more.
Reply to this comment
by goheels_15 April 14, 2007 10:22 AM PDT
for all you liberal nutjobs out there can i just say one thing. please read a history book once in your life before you start to make your little namecalling jabs. ok here it goes one last time....fascists were italians, nazis were germans. so please quit mixing your totalitarian metaphors. if you are gonna say idiotic comments about the "religious reich" or how bush is a fascist while calling him hitler...please learn the difference between the two. either call him a fascist and compare him to mussolini, or stick with nazi and compare him to hitler. got it? good. now i'll let you go so you can get ready for your next pro-abortion or pro-terrorist rally like the good little lefties you are.
Reply to this comment
by mcvet April 14, 2007 10:51 AM PDT
fascists were italians, nazis were germans. so please quit mixing your totalitarian metaphors. if you are gonna say idiotic comments about the "religious reich" or how bush is a fascist while calling him hitler...please learn the difference between the two. either call him a fascist and compare him to mussolini, or stick with nazi and compare him to hitler. got it? good. now i'll let you go so you can get ready for your next pro-abortion or pro-terrorist rally like the good little lefties you are.
Posted by goheels_15 at 10:22 AM : Apr 14, 2007

LOL So according to your ONE PARTY View unless I'm Italinan I can't be a fascist? ROFLMAO I'd like for you to tell that one to ALL the BROWN SHIRTS who marched in THIS nation trying to keep Roosevelt from helping Britian in the late 30's. Oh! I have a better one for you Sparky. How about I drive you to the next meeting of the Skin Heads or the American Nazi Party and YOU tell them that! ROFLMAO Now THAT would be a great thing! Course I'd have to bring a meat wagon to get you to a hospital. FASCISM is just as relivant HERE and TODAY as it was in GERMANY in 1939 because it's what we have. In a recent poll a over 80% of the people of Germany said today's REpublican Party AND George Bush WERE Fascist... by the way NAZI was a GERMAN PARTY OF FASCIST!! Seig Heil Y'all.
Reply to this comment
by mcvet April 14, 2007 11:02 AM PDT
wouldn't say anything about this bill either. It is the most stupid thing that I have ever heard of. So exactly how did these SC idiots think such a law would be enforced. Strap the woman in a chair and sew her eylids open.
Posted by kansas1946 at 09:06 PM : Apr 13, 2007

Well anyone who knows anything about Southern Fascist would tell you that such would not be beyond them. They just a few years ago, refused to allow any Religious Leader in school for "Prayers" who didn't have as part of that "Prayer" the iron clad rule that "Eqaul but Different" was the word of God. After that I'd say these slimy creatures are capable of anyting. Sieg Heil Y'all.
Reply to this comment
by goheels_15 April 14, 2007 11:09 AM PDT
"by the way NAZI was a GERMAN PARTY OF FASCIST!!"


wrong again there "sparky"...like i said, pick up a history book mc-hammer-vet. they were both totalitarian regimes...BUT nazism had nothing to do with facsism.

"So according to your ONE PARTY View unless I'm Italinan I can't be a fascist?"

nice spelling of italian btw...thats not what i said either "sparky"...my point was how all of YOU anti-american nutjobs call bush a fascist and then compare him to hitler. i'll make it simple for your simple mind here "sparky"...hitler=nazi, mussolini=fascist. so either call bush a nazi and compare him to hitler or call him a fascist and compare him to mussolini. but dont miz them. i would say to make it simple just call him a totalitarian but i know multi-syllabic words are hard for your ilk so never mind.

Reply to this comment
by forthepeopl1 April 14, 2007 11:48 AM PDT
THIS IS THE TIME TO TAKE UP ARMS AGAINST OUR GOVERNMENT NOW....

ITS OUR RIGHT AS AMERICANS AND ITS IN THE CONSTITUTION THAT IF THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT DOING WHAT THE AMERICANS ARE ASKING FOR.

SO LETS CHANGE IT. THEY CANT GET ALL OF US, AND IF WE CHARGE ALL AT ONCE THEY CANT SHOOT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS AT THE SAME TIME. SO LETS GET EVERYONE READY TO HAVE THE GREATEST REVOLUTION THIS COUNTRY HAS EVER HAD.

THEY WANT A CIVIL WAR, THEY WILL HAVE IT GIVEN TO THEM ON A PLATTER.AMERICANS NEED TO STAND UP FOR AMERICA, BEFORE ITS TO LATE..

EMAIL ME TO WHEN YOU ALL WANT TO START. FOR-AMERICA@HOTMAIL.COM AND I WILL BE READY TO GO AND GIVE MY BLOOD FOR OUR COUNRTY.AS A VET I KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT.AND THIS GOVERNMENT IS NOT RIGHT. now stand up americans dont let them destroy our america
Reply to this comment
by gfox67 April 14, 2007 11:51 AM PDT
In a recent poll a over 80% of the people of Germany said today's REpublican Party AND George Bush WERE Fascist

mcvet

Who was this poll taken by........ CBS, CNN, or ABC ......... FASCIST news agencies?
Reply to this comment
by jacksteen1 April 14, 2007 12:21 PM PDT
I have to laugh every time CBS or these other media spinners run another story about this cross-eyed, inbred mormon cult member...trying to make him look like a viable candidate for anything other than multiple-marriage scofflaw and White Salamander Translator.

Go back to Salt Lake City, Mutt - oversee the collections racket your cult's Discover Card brings in - and leave the rest of us true Christians alone.
Reply to this comment
by randalds April 14, 2007 6:48 PM PDT
Mormons may portray themselves and their cult as Christians, but they are NOT.
A true Christian believes in Jesus Christ, unconditionally and without reservations follow HIS teachings. Mormons, like other 'pseudochristians' DO NOT.
Posted by nikosk1 at 01:09 PM : Apr 14, 2007

All religions are cults. Some are just older and bigger then others. When Jesus started Christianity it was a cult too. Just because it's now bigger doesn't make it any less of a cult, just a big one. They're no different then Islamics, Mormons, Druids, Wiccans, Buddhists, etc. All cults of one size or another.
Reply to this comment
by dallison7 April 15, 2007 8:46 AM PDT
ROFLMAO!!!!


The republidrunks are scurrying around looking for a presidential candidate!!! LMAO!!

The three front runners aren't looking too good!!

1. Guiliani-All mouth, no substance. Male slvt with no moral compass.

2. Romney-LOL!! Believes deeply that scripture was revealed to his 'prophet' (Joe Smith) by a 'talking white salamander'!! Can't decide from day to day where he stands on issues!!

3. McCain-Body armor, 20 armed humvees, attack helicopters, 150 armed body guards... "It's really safe here on the streets of Baghdad". What a joke this guy has become!!

The parade of republican candidates is looking like a homecoming for the 'Seven Dwarfs'. LMAO!!

Now Fred Thompson is preparing to jump in.

Hell yes, come on and join the party, 'Sleepy'!!
Reply to this comment
by goheels_15 April 15, 2007 1:56 PM PDT
to dallison7, first of all any nitwit who uses "ROFLMAO" clearly spends too much time in chatrooms.maybe you should turn off the computer more, take a shower at least twice a week and get a job instead of your life now which probably consists of surfing between moveon.org and dailykos and then painting up your latest "no blood for oil" and "bush is hitler" signs for your latest pro-terrorist rally. second of all, in spite of all your brilliant analysis of the republican frontrunners, you might want to check out ANY poll (not conducted by the huffington post or moveon) and you will see that those "dwarfs" as you call them spank any of those little race baiting, sanctimonious windbags you have on your side. so roll on the floor laughing your *** off about them apples!!
Reply to this comment
by randalds April 15, 2007 6:33 PM PDT
to dallison7, first of all any nitwit who uses "ROFLMAO" clearly spends too much time in chatrooms.maybe you should turn off the computer more, take a shower at least twice a week and get a job instead of your life now which probably consists of surfing between moveon.org and dailykos and then painting up your latest "no blood for oil" and "bush is hitler" signs for your latest pro-terrorist rally. second of all, in spite of all your brilliant analysis of the republican frontrunners, you might want to check out ANY poll (not conducted by the huffington post or moveon) and you will see that those "dwarfs" as you call them spank any of those little race baiting, sanctimonious windbags you have on your side. so roll on the floor laughing your *** off about them apples!!
Posted by goheels_15 at 01:56 PM : Apr 15, 2007

ROTFLMFAO!!!!
Reply to this comment
by jburdman7 April 16, 2007 4:07 PM PDT
"South Carolina is an early voting state dominated by conservatives who oppose abortion rights."

Should the Bill of Rights be rewritten by this author, what wording would be used for the "Right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness' part?

Why does the media NOT state:
"South Carolina is an early voting state dominated by conservatives who view the right to life as starting at conception."
Or
'Who feel obligated to protect the weakest among us.'

Why not have some respect for a political party that offers to protect innocent life, even if it can not yet vote, or be baited by class warfare politics?

Do I smell BIAS?!

I give up. Why should I expect any moral compass from a corporation which also owns MTV.
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