Posted on 01/15/2012 12:22:32 PM PST by wagglebee
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, January 13, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney has been dogged by allegations that his shifting positions on abortion have been politically opportunistic. That perception will be bolstered by a new book that reveals Romney consulted polling data before deciding to campaign as “pro-choice” during his 1994 Senate race.
In the book Mitt Romney: An Inside Look at the Man and His Politics, Ronald Scott wrote that Romney commissioned former Reagan pollster Richard Wirthlin to survey Massachusetts voters on key issues. Wirthlin showed Romney a poll indicating any candidate describing himself as “pro-life” was unelectable in the state.
Before initiating his campaign against then-incumbent Senator Ted Kennedy, Romney informed the elders of his church about his decision to run as a supporter of abortion rights. In November 1993, Romney, Wirthlin, and Scott (all Mormons) presented their case to the leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as a courtesy. Romney, then a Mormon leader in his state, explained his would label himself personally opposed to abortion but would take no action to outlaw it, a view he later described as “effectively pro-choice.”
The meeting proved a contentious one. “I may not have burned bridges, but a few of them were singed and smoking,” Romney said of the exchange.
The Romney campaign has declined to comment on the book’s allegations.
Meanwhile, new information has come to light about the relative whose death from an illegal abortion Romney credited with making him pro-choice in that race. Ann Keenan’s brother, Loren, married Lynn Romney, Mitt’s sister, in the 1950s. Lynn Keenan died at Wyandotte General Hospital on October 7, 1963, when Mitt was just 16-years-old. Her death certificate listed the cause of death as a “criminal recent abortion.”
Sandra Nye, Keenan’s friend from Michigan State University, said, “It was all very hush-hush, because [Mitt’s father George] Romney was governor, and they really wanted this very quiet and to go away.”
The girl’s parents wrote in her obituary that, “Memorial tributes may be sent to the Planned Parenthood Association.”
In a 1994 debate against Kennedy, Romney alluded to Keenan as the inspiration for his first conversion, from pro-life to pro-abortion:
Many, many years ago, I had a dear, close family relative that was very close to me who passed away from an illegal abortion. It is since that time that my mother and my family have been committed to the belief that we can believe as we want, but we will not force our beliefs on others on that matter. And you will not see me wavering on that.
He later elaborated her case “obviously makes one see that regardless of one’s beliefs about choice, that you would hope it would be safe and legal.”
It would be the first of many twists-and-turns in the governor’s abortion record. The same year, his wife, Ann Romney, made a donation to Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards would later say Mitt Romney “used to come to Planned Parenthood events. He asked for our endorsement.”
Kennedy would go on to defeat Romney by 17 percent of the vote in the election that saw Republicans regain control of Congress for the first time in decades.
In 2002, Romney chose to run again, this time for governor. During the campaign, he said, “On a personal basis, I don’t favor abortion. However, as governor of the commonwealth, I will protect a woman’s right to choose under the laws of the country and the commonwealth. That’s the same position I’ve had for many years.”
After his election, however, he began to change his views again, telling reporters he had been influenced by the state’s debate over creating embryos for scientific research. He stated, “When we were studying cloning in our state, I said, ‘Look, we have gone too far.’ It’s a brave new world mentality that Roe v. Wade has given us, and I changed my mind.”
Not everyone was convinced, believing Romney told Massachusetts voters what they wanted to hear in order to get elected. His adviser, Mike Murphy, would tell National Review during the 2008 Republican primary race, “He’s been a pro-life Mormon faking it as a pro-choice friendly.”
After his most recent pro-life turn, Romney said Ann’s contributions to Planned Parenthood speak “for her and not for me…Her positions are not terribly relevant for my campaign.” His wife later made substantial donations to Massachusetts Citizens for Life, becoming its co-chair.
Romney says he now favors overturning Roe v. Wade. When asked during a 2007 debate if he would sign a bill banning all abortions, he replied, “I’d be delighted to sign that bill.” He has said at various times he believes “abortion should be limited to only instances of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother.”
His relationship with the pro-life movement in 2012 has at times been strained. In June he declined to sign the Susan B. Anthony List’s pro-life pledge. In October, Romney told Mike Huckabee, “I’d make sure that the progress that has been made to provide for life and to protect human life is not progress that would be reversed.” Some liken that to his pro-choice position in earlier campaigns, when he said he “was personally pro-life but that I would protect a woman’s right to choose as the law existed. ”
This has led critics in both parties to question his core convictions on the issue. Republican strategist Keith Appell stated in 2007, “It’s part of Romney’s challenge: How many epiphanies have you had?”
http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/subject/about/abortion.html
“Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.”
Proverbs 23:9
Proverbs 23:9
Using Scripture to push an abortionist?!
That is a new low even for Romneybots.
I actually don’t count zots. But today I’m feverish, sick and grumpy. lol
OK Wise One - Did Romney advance the abortion agenda in his state or not? Are you looking the other way to support him or not?
If a rabid dog was running against Obama, I would vote for the rabies infected dog and so should you.
Why do you think that one rabid dog is different than the other rabid dog?
Nor would many others here vote for the Mittwit who is no better than Obozo in white face. I held my nose and voted (only after they were nominated) for Nixon in 1968 and 1972, Ford in 1976, GHW (New World Order) Bush in 1988 and 1992, Dole in `1996, and McCain in 2008. Every one of them was a despicable excuse for a Republican and every time the rationalization forced upon us was that the Demonrat candidate was sooooo much worse and that the republic would surely cease to exist if the Demonrat were elected.
Net result: progressive chronic wasting disease has gutted the GOP (Boehner, McConnell, Cornyn, LAMAR!!!, Corker and a legion of other whores who pose as Republicans in public but have their lips on autosmooch for the backsides of every enemy our movement, our party and our country have ever had) except under Ronald Reagan and, to a lesser extent, under Dubya. No more. I am too seasoned at this point to vote for another unprincipled leftist in GOP drag. McCain retired the trophy and Mittwit will not get my vote. Nominate him at your peril. There are plenty of us who are determined never to vote for him. Third party? Maybe. Refuse to vote for POTUS? Maybe. Romney. Absolutely NEVER.
I need to vote for one pro-abortion candidate so that I don’t elect another pro-abortion candidate...Is that the logic?
I’ll pass.
You sound like you’ve been taken hostage and if you don’t pay Romney off with your vote he’ll punish you with 0bama. Paying hostage takers creates an endless cycle. It’s how we got where we are.
IMHO, Romney is not a rabid pro-abortion "dog", and I'd rather you would maybe say "rabid raccoon" or something, if you're going to make an analogy to rabies, since I love my dogs, and of course they are vaccinated!!
The abortion situation in the USA has improved tremendously in the years since Roe v. Wade was originally passed. I believe the fact remains that sometimes women will make that choice, especially if they are young and ignorant. They will have it done, however they have to, and not realizing what they are doing to themselves OR to their unborn child.
I can not fault Romney OR his family for realizing that it's better for women to have a real doctor, than it is for them to go to a back-alley coat-hangar clinic, and die themselves as a result, rather than living to regret a bad choice. I would guess the "Planned Parenthood" Organization of the sixties was a much different one than the activists we have today. I can not blame them for wishing that a qualified medical doctor had been available for this sister/sister-in-law, once she made this decision, instead of whoever she went to, and also died as a result.
These back-alley people are always going to be available, no matter what laws, regulations, and restrictions are passed (remember Prohibition?) and women are always going to make this choice...what is needed is to change people's hearts and minds (to quote "W") about abortion, which America has made some good progress on, but we're not there yet.
"Safe, legal and rare" is really just a feel-good buzz-phrase, depending on who's in charge in DC and the Supreme Court, but I would just encourage you to think about what really CAN be done as we go forward, and who would continue to pursue a REAL version of "safe, legal, RARE"?? I don't think abortion will ever be completely illegal again, because too many people will not agree with that point of view, but it's a worthy goal, and you never know!
State laws continue to be passed on time limits, parental notification, etc...and a large majority of the country is against late-term abortions...BUT, unless Roe v. Wade is overturned, the only way America will become completely pro-life will be when enough people agree with this point of view to enact new laws.
Until that happens (if it ever does), I think all we can do is continue to educate our fellow citizens, and elect effective people to office who will continue to work in that direction.
Romney would be a hundred times more in the right direction than Obama.
Myth is the father of the $50 taxpayer-funded abortion, it doesn't get more pro-abortion than that.
The abortion situation in the USA has improved tremendously in the years since Roe v. Wade was originally passed.
First of all, Roe v. Wade wasn't "passed," it was adjudicated.
Secondly, an American baby is killed EVERY 24 SECONDS, how do you consider that a "tremendous" improvement?
I believe the fact remains that sometimes women will make that choice, especially if they are young and ignorant. They will have it done, however they have to, and not realizing what they are doing to themselves OR to their unborn child.
And YOU support this.
I can not fault Romney OR his family for realizing that it's better for women to have a real doctor, than it is for them to go to a back-alley coat-hangar clinic, and die themselves as a result, rather than living to regret a bad choice.
And now you are spouting abortionist talking points.
I would guess the "Planned Parenthood" Organization of the sixties was a much different one than the activists we have today. I can not blame them for wishing that a qualified medical doctor had been available for this sister/sister-in-law, once she made this decision, instead of whoever she went to, and also died as a result.
The drop in abortion deaths is entirely due to modern antibiotics, legality has nothing to do with it. But, YOU seem perfectly fine that 53 MILLION babies have been murdered.
These back-alley people are always going to be available, no matter what laws, regulations, and restrictions are passed (remember Prohibition?) and women are always going to make this choice...what is needed is to change people's hearts and minds (to quote "W") about abortion, which America has made some good progress on, but we're not there yet.
Yeah, and murders will always occur regardless of the law.
"Safe, legal and rare" is really just a feel-good buzz-phrase, depending on who's in charge in DC and the Supreme Court, but I would just encourage you to think about what really CAN be done as we go forward, and who would continue to pursue a REAL version of "safe, legal, RARE"??
How has a pro-abortion troll like you made it this long?
Romney would be a hundred times more in the right direction than Obama.
There isn't a damn bit of difference between Zero and Myth.
IBTZ!
It would be really good if we knew what we were possibly arguing about here!
FReegards, all, and keep the faith!
Nothing is zot-proof. Posting here is a privilege - not a right.
Excuse me, are you promoting Romney or abortion or both?
Yep. Puts to lie those who argue that we must support Myth if he's the GOP candidate because we need him for Supreme Court nominees.
For example, it is my opinion that women continue to elect to have abortions, but I certainly do NOT support that! And what is your source for the "every 24 seconds" statistic?
What does "IBTZ" mean?
Free Republic used to be a thoughtful and civilized forum, and never in my long life here have I ever been accused of being a troll, or "spouting" about anything. Thanks for posting, anyway, and I'm very sorry if I offended you. Best of luck on the Forum.
I'm well aware that posting here is a privilege, and one I have had for many years now...I just didn't realize that this particular thread was so "radioactive", and I do apogize for giving a most apparently unwelcome opinion in this case.
FReegards
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