Romney’s conversion on abortion

The conversion of a political candidate prior to an election is naturally met with questions and even skepticism. Mitt Romney has been no exception. It has led even the casual observer to say, “Is this authentic?”

To fully understand why this can be true, we must first review some history. Pro-life conversions have happened in the past at the highest levels of politics. Central to this was President H. W. Bush. As a vice presidential candidate, George Bush changed his position from pro-abortion to pro-life after a lengthy meeting with me.

My relationship with George H. W. Bush, who was to eventually become president, began in August 1980. Mr. Bush and Ronald Reagan had run against each other in the Republican primary. Reagan won that race and was nominated for president at the Republican National Convention in Detroit. During the primary campaign, it was evident the two men did not see eye-toeye on several issues. Most of us had the distinct impression that while Ronald Reagan was quite pro-life, George Bush was not.

At the convention, Reagan—probably for political reasons—chose George H. W. Bush as his vice presidential running mate. This came as quite a surprise to us, and immediately presented a problem. I had just been elected president of the National Right to Life Committee. We very much wanted to have our people support the Reagan ticket, but now it was complicated because his running mate seemed to be proabortion. I decided to see what I could do to change the situation.

On the last day of the convention, I took an elevator in the Pontchartrain Hotel up to the 14th floor, which was Republican headquarters, and knocked on the door. I explained who I was and asked to talk to Mr. Bush. The young lady answering the door seemed somewhat taken aback as I explained that this was important for the upcoming election.

A few minutes later she came back and said, “Mr. Casey will be seeing you.” Bill Casey later became head of the Central Intelligence Agency, and I would become well acquainted with him. We sat and talked for a bit. Mr. Casey was quite sympathetic to our issue, and said that he would arrange for me to meet Mr. Bush.

After about 30 minutes, I was ushered into what obviously had been a committee meeting room. The smoke still hung heavy, and there were a number of folding tables, some with empty drink glasses and cups. Mr. Bush got up from his chair and came over, shook my hand, and we sat down alone in the room. I explained who I was and that we supported Ronald Reagan’s pro-life stand. We wanted to support the ticket, but there seemed to be some real question about his position on our issue. Due to that uncertainty, I didn’t know whether pro-life people would support the ticket.

Mr. Bush thanked me for my straightforward comments and said, “Let me tell you where I stand.” I held up my hand, interrupted and said, “Please don’t. I think perhaps if I could brief you on this entire issue, then you could think this over and I might possibly change some of your thinking. I would like to give you a professional briefing.”

Mr. Bush relaxed, sat back, smiled and said, “I think that is a good idea, Doctor.” He fished for his business card and said, “We are all taking some time off now, but when we get back to Washington, call. I’ll have (he mentioned her name) set you up with an appointment.” I said, “I would like to be very respectful here, sir, but that won’t be sufficient.” “Oh,” he looked at me. “To do this right would take the better part of three or four hours and that is what I’d like to request from you.” He almost swallowed his teeth. “Four hours?” I interrupted and said, “Of course I would like to change your opinion and make you pro-life. I am probably not going to do that. But if I can report in our National Right to Life News that you were so interested in this issue and so respectful of it that you gave me this kind of time, that is going to make a profound impression on our people.” He sat back, mulling this over for a bit. Then he said, “You’re pretty convincing.”

He paused again, then said, “Okay . . . look, I am going back to Kennebunkport, which is our home in Maine, umm . . . let me carve out a time up there and umm . . . here is the person you want to talk to, we’ll set you up there for a morning meeting. Will you come alone?” I said, “I would probably bring one lady with me.” “That’s fine,” he said, “I will have one of my aides with me. We will meet at my home.” “Fine, Mr. Bush, we’ll meet in the morning. My presentation will be medical and scientific with moral overtones. Would you mind then, perhaps after lunch, if I could bring a few other more political people with me? Then we could discuss the campaign.” Another long pause and he said, “All right, let’s do it.”

Several weeks later, I found myself entering the Bush home with my Political Action Committee director, Sandra Faucher. I had brought my trusty Kodak carousel projector and some literature. It was a very pleasant day, which I have never forgotten. The house was on a small peninsula extending into the ocean, and on a bit of a rise. The French doors and windows were all open with a gentle ocean breeze wafting through. Barbara Bush was very gracious, serving iced tea and some snacks. I set my projector on a small coffee table. Mr. Bush was on one side and I on the other. The aide provided a screen and the briefing began. For about three hours, I would speak, then flip on a slide, then speak some more. Mr. Bush would question. I would answer. His aide spoke occasionally, as did Sandy, but basically it was a dialogue between the two of us.

Barbara Bush sat about 10 or 15 feet away, knitting. She only spoke once, asking “Well, what if the life of the mother is in danger?” I answered. She seemed to be satisfied and went back to her knitting.

Lunch was served and then the other pro-life leaders joined us. For another two hours that afternoon we all discussed the campaign. When it was time to go, I said, “Well Mr. Bush, back in Detroit you offered to tell me where you stand. Now I am going to ask you, would you be so kind as to answer?” He smiled, looking at me with an “Okay you did it” sort of look. He said, “I wasn’t here before, but I am now. I will support an amendment to the Constitution to forbid abortion and to overturn Roe v. Wade, but it will be a states’ rights amendment. I can’t support a federal amendment.”

When we publicized this news, the pro - l i f e movement strongly supported the Reagan-Bush ticket and the rest is history.

As of June 1988, Reagan and Bush had served two terms, a total of eight years. I was in the White House with some frequency during those years. Sometimes I met with President Reagan, sometimes with Vice President Bush, and occasionally both. My acquaintance with Mr. Bush grew during those years, and we worked together on several things.

After the Reagan administration, it was a pleasant four years with George H. W. Bush in the White House. We didn’t get everything we wanted, but we got the important things. Every time we asked him to threaten a veto, he did. While we are still not sure that this good man is completely pro-life in his heart, he certainly was prolife in his actions. He was a man of his word.

As this is written, Barack Obama has proven to be the most pro-abortion president of modern times and he is now seeking a second term. Former Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney, is the presumptive nominee for the Republican Presidential slot in November. Naturally, some have questioned his pro-life credentials and convictions so let’s examine the details of Governor Romney’s conversion.

When he was first elected Governor of Massachusetts, it was generally presumed that his position was “prochoice.” However, about half way into his first term as governor in 2005, Romney announced that he was opposed to embryonic stem cell research and proceeded to veto a bill making the “Morning After,” plan B contraceptive pills available. In the same year, he declared that he was pro-life.

Governor Romney tells us that he changed his mind in November 2004. At that time, he was obviously searching and had questions. He met with Douglas A. Melton, PhD, a scientist from the Harvard Stem Cell Institute on November 9. In that interview the Governor said this researcher told him, “Look, you don’t have to think about this stem cell research as a moral issue because we kill the embryos after fourteen days.” This had a major impact on Romney and his chief of staff, as they saw it recognizing that such embryonic stem cell research in fact was killing what they were convinced were human lives already in existence. Later, through a spokesperson, Dr. Melton disputed that he used the word “kill.”

But Governor Romney, wanting to know more, consulted with one of the best people available in February 2005. This expert was William B. Hurlbut, a physician and professor at Stanford University Medical Center Neuroscience Institute. Dr. Hurlbut is a dedicated pro-lifer.

The two of them met for several hours, discussing the issue in great detail. They went through the dynamics of conception, embryonic development and repercussions of the various research and experimentation that has been going on aimed at exploring the first weeks after fertilization. At that point, Romney was under intense pressure to change a state law that, at the time, still protected human embryos from lethal stem cell research. Some of the pressure came from Harvard, his own almamater. After this in-depth consultation, Romney stated that he was pro-life.

Asked about their meeting by columnist Kathleen Parker, Dr. Hurlbut said, “Several things about our conversation still stand out strongly in my mind. First, he clearly recognized the significance of the i s s u e, not just as a current controversy, but as a matter that would define the character of our culture way into the future. Second, it was obvious that he had put in a real effort to understand both the scientific prospects and the broader social implications. Finally, I was impressed by both his clarity of mind and sincerity of heart. He recognized that this was not a matter of purely abstract theory or merely pragmatic governance, but a crucial moment in how we are to regard nascent human life and the broader meaning of medicine in the service of life.”

Similar to my time with President H. W. Bush, Dr. Hurlbut presented Governor Romney with sound scientific and medical information. The Governor responded by changing his position to support the protection of innocent human life from the point of fertilization. He declared himself pro-life and has repeatedly done so since that time.

For over twenty years, Life Issues Institute has been solely dedicated to prolife education. It has been my primary contribution to the pro-life movement since the 1960s. Our strength comes from the central fact that we are daily changing the hearts and minds of Americans on abortion. And our efforts have greatly be en assisted by science. The tool of ultrasound has resulted in an entire generation having their first baby picture taken within the womb, and it’s greatly impacted people’s opinion on abortion. Every pro-life individual and organization should rejoice when anyone—political or otherwise—responds to the unmistakable fact that human life begins at fertilization and that it should be protected.

Life Issues Institute and I are confident that Governor Romney’s conversion is real, heartfelt and authentic. Since the Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization, we cannot endorse a political candidate. As such, this article should not be construed as an endorsement of Governor Romney’s candidacy but rather a testament to the fact that we believe Mitt Romney is truly pro-life.

MISTER Willke published it a couple of days ago, but perhaps
he is unaware that PRESIDENT Bush was eventually elected to
some minor non-medical make-work job unworthy of his notice.

OK, I’m done. Carry on.

I have never liked Dr. Wilke. While he was in charge of National Right to Life, more abortions were performed each year. Sure, they have the big rally once a year in Washington, but what have they actually done to stop abortion? His group actually promoted exceptions for rape and incest under his watch, which goes against what being pro-life is all about. If another group would stand up to them and be against exceptions, NRTL and Wilke would push against them and try to minimize them. Sometimes I actually thought he and his group were working for the other side. They may as well have for all the good they did.

I don’t believe Wilke knows what he’s talking about regarding Romney. Romney is a political opportunist and has changed his mind too many times to be taken seriously. If he had changed to pro-life at a time when it wouldn’t have been political expedient for him, I would be inclined to believe he had a real conversion. But his stands on abortion always coincided with what would do him the most good politically at the time.

It weas the 1st or 2nd debate...

I didnt know Willard Mitt romney before that and there were about 12 candidates on the stage...

I only knew about 1/2 of them...

When he was asked an abortion Q Romney answered it starting with the death of his aunt and my heart went out to him...

I felt sad for him...

But then he did a 180 on what i thought he would say next...

and i was angry at him for my wasted sympathy..

Check the early 2008 debates...

I’ve looked and can only find references to that 1994 debate.
____________________________________

What about the 2002 debate where there was a discussion on the age of the child for parental notification ???

Willie Mitty states that if the parents wont let the underage child get an abortion then the child can get permission from a judge who will overrtuled parental authority...

Oh yes Willie Mitty is NOT and never has been pro-life...

(so much for happy families forever)

His group actually promoted exceptions for rape and incest under his watch, which goes against what being pro-life is all about.
_________________________________________

Yes unfortunately that is true...

the very “reason” for Roe V Wade...

1980 was the first time that abortion had ever been an issue in a national election.

Yes, the timing is important. Way back then, most people hadn't thought about abortion, one way or another. They hadn't given the issue any serious consideration, or really looked into the pros and cons.

Romney, on the other hand, converted from pro-life to pro-abort while he was Governor of Massachusetts. By that time, the issue was perfectly clear, and everyone had heard the arguments from both sides.

Now he's converting back to pro-life? That might make sense if he had had a religious conversion, but there are no signs of that. He has been an LDS leader all his life, top of the heap.

The same difference applies to Ronald Reagan. When he signed off on the bill in California, he really hadn't considered the issues. But his advisers clued him in, later, and when he ran for President he HAD experienced a genuine conversion.

That seemed obvious enough to me at the time, so I gladly voted for him. But it is FAR from obvious with Mitt Romney. Somehow, he always announces these changes when it is politically convenient, although by now he is fully aware of what the issues are.

Thank you for your baseless prognostication, as well as a completely unsourced opinion.

However, regardless of your unchangeable bias about Romney, Dr. Jack Willke is not a liar. Dr.William Hurlbut is not a liar.

It’s doubtful that a phoney would have used up political capital on vetoing the morning after pill and the embryonic stem cell bills, as Romney did in 2005.

Whatever you want to believe about Romney, you have to remember who Jack Willke is and what his testimony is worth, as well as the heat Romney took for vetoing the embryonic stem cell and morning after pill bills.

Those vetoes were each over-ridden by the Mass. legislature.

Shove it and your ignorant comments. I’ve known Willard 18 years. Have you ? He is a pathological liar who will say ANYTHING to get elected. He was raised in a pro-abort family, both parents, whom were infamous in their stance. Anyone who trusts anything he says as gospel is a complete fool, especially when running for the highest office.

BTW, a Gubernatorial “veto” in MA is nothing short of a worthless farce. With super-majorities of 90% Democrats in the MA legislature, ultraleft legislation will get through, period.

Had coffee with someone you consider a “pathological liar” for 18 years? Maybe that means *you* changed your mind, but won’t believe anyone else could.

I doubt Romney hangs out much in Tennessee or that you “know” him better than anyone else on FR..

Read the article about the “conversion.” Are you calling Dr. Willke a liar or “a fool?”

Romney, on the other hand, converted from pro-life to pro-abort while he was Governor of Massachusetts.
_____________________________________________________

Willard was always pro-abortion...

he ran for Gov of MASS in 2002 as pro-abortion...argued during a debate he was the most pro-abortion...wanted judges to allow underage girls to get abortions if their parents said no...

He was pro-abortion when he and Ann were giving money to Planned Parenthood...

he was pro-abortion back in 1994...ran to the left of Teddy as more pro-abortion than he was...

In 1980 He was a liberal pro-abortion Independant or Democrat and never met Reagan or voted for him...

and as Ann said they had no Republican friends nor knew anyone who was republican till 1994...

he agreed with his mother on her pro-abortion platform in 1970...

He wanted abortion to be safe and legal when his aunt died durinbg an abortion in the early 1960s...

Lifelong pro-abortion...

Romney, on the other hand, converted from pro-life to pro-abort while he was Governor of Massachusetts.
_____________________________________________________

Willard was always pro-abortion...

he ran for Gov of MASS in 2002 as pro-abortion...argued during a debate he was the most pro-abortion...wanted judges to allow underage girls to get abortions if their parents said no...

He was pro-abortion when he and Ann were giving money to Planned Parenthood...

he was pro-abortion back in 1994...ran to the left of Teddy as more pro-abortion than he was...

In 1980 He was a liberal pro-abortion Independant or Democrat and never met Reagan or voted for him...

and as Ann said they had no Republican friends nor knew anyone who was republican till 1994...

he agreed with his mother on her pro-abortion platform in 1970...

He wanted abortion to be safe and legal when his aunt died durinbg an abortion in the early 1960s...

Lifelong pro-abortion...

In brief, here’s Romney’s record, ending with the 4th time
for abortion so NO actions on his part to show he is for
life. Did Romney ever “act” for life?

- pro-choice in ‘94; pro-life in ‘01; choice ‘02; pro-life ‘04; choice ‘05; life in ‘06; then funded abortion in ‘06

I would call this, the record of a habitual liar.

Pray for Mitt’s conversion, Mormons are not Christian.

There you go again obsessing over my locale, as if that has one iota to do with the discussion at hand. But you are always big on red herrings since you lose every argument you ever have with me.

I'm calling anyone who believes anything the man says in the quest for the Presidency to be either #1, blindly partisan (and hence willing to overlook facts), #2, being paid off for their support, or #3, a fool.

But don't you fret none, honey, it ain't like Willke is the first person to have been hosed by a master con-artist.

Here's that ardent "pro-lifer" Willard being dragged kicking and screaming into signing off on cheap abortions and Socialist medicine. Can't you just see how heartbroken he is here ?

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.