While I don't agree with that exception, it should be noted that George W. Bush also had that exception and it's pretty common.
My previous post bears repeating:
He’s speaking at two levels here —
Reality:
Judges who agree with Roe-v-Wade not welcome. Not only does that end federal meddling of state abortion laws, it also cleans out 90% of our worst activist judges.
Empathy:
‘I can really understand if a rape victim wants an abortion. I can really understand the hypothetical choice reg. life of the mother. I get it.’