A Pro-Life Perspective on a Mitt Romney Candidacy

Governor Mitt Romney’s stance on abortion has already been intensely examined by analysts and pundits.  How did a once mildly pro-choice Senate candidate make the transformation into a “firmly pro-life” governor?  And how can the pro-life community be sure that Governor Romney is sincere in his desire to protect the unborn?  Is it simply political pandering or has he experienced a true pro-life epiphany? 

Visitors to www.americansformitt.com who have read my
biography have noticed that I’ve spent the last few years directing two programs for a nonprofit pro-life organization.  This position has allowed me to meet with national pro-life leaders and interact with pro-life Americans on a daily basis.  As a proven pro-lifer and an early supporter of Governor Romney’s expected candidacy, I hope I can offer a unique perspective on the issues surrounding his position on abortion.  

In recent weeks, many Americans for Mitt members have e-mailed me to learn my thoughts on this topic.  My goal in writing this commentary is to convince pro-life voters that Mitt Romney has been a solid pro-life governor and they can count on him to be a champion for the unborn as the President of the United States.

The 1994 Senate Campaign:  “Safe and Legal”
In his campaign for the U.S. Senate in 1994, Romney pledged to keep abortion “safe and legal.”  Pro-life advocates cringe when they hear this and for good reason.   Thousands of women throughout the country are enrolled in post-abortion programs that help them overcome physical and mental complications following their abortion.  Abortion is not always “safe.”  And because an innocent life is taken in the procedure, it should not be “legal.” 

Although he made this comment during the campaign, Romney never promoted himself as a pro-abortion advocate.  Even in 1994, he was not embraced by Planned Parenthood or NARAL, the leading pro-abortion organizations in America, and he did not seek their endorsements. It is very apparent that Romney was not comfortable with abortion even early in his political career.  This is an important point for pro-lifers to consider. 

The 2002 Gubernatorial Campaign:  Abortion Law Moratorium
As a candidate for governor of Massachusetts, Romney began to describe himself as “personally pro-life” and offered a moratorium on changes in abortion law in Massachusetts.  Some pro-lifers have ridiculed this stance and claimed that it proved Romney’s weakness on life issues.

What many fail to realize is that Romney’s opponent was scoring points with the liberal residents of Massachusetts by vowing to further liberalize the abortion laws.  Specifically, she pledged to lower the age of parental consent for minors seeking to have an abortion.

Romney’s pledge not to change abortion law was absolutely brilliant.  The political realities of Massachusetts make pro-life policy victories virtually impossible in the heavily Democratic legislature.  By refusing to change abortion laws, Romney launched a strategic effort to keep the commonwealth from further liberalizing abortion policy, including the age of parental consent proposal. 

Massachusetts might be the most pro-abortion state in the country.  By fighting continued liberalization of abortion laws, Governor Romney boldly stood up to a legislature and an abortion lobby eager to advance the culture of death.

A Pro-Life Governor

“…Romney has done his best to defend the culture of life on what is probably the most inhospitable terrain in the country.”
–John J. Miller (National Review)

Governor Romney has explained that his thinking on abortion dramatically changed as a result of studying the issues surrounding embryonic stem cell research.  This issue highlighted just how much the gift of life has been cheapened in a Roe v. Wade, abortion-on-demand society. 

Governor Romney studied the issue and determined that life does indeed begin at conception.  And if that is the case, abortion is impossible to defend.  Governor Romney offered a detailed description of this pro-life epiphany in a recent interview (click here). 

For the pro-life community, words are not enough.  We expect action from pro-life leaders and Governor Romney has taken the pro-life position on every abortion-related issue he’s faced since being elected:

• He vetoed an emergency contraception bill and offered a compelling case for life in the process. 

• He fought efforts to advance embryonic stem cell research in Massachusetts, despite overwhelming opposition.

• He pledged to veto any effort to expand access to RU-486, the abortion pill.

• He has faced constant ridicule from pro-abortion organizations for refusing to give in to their demands. 

• He actively promotes abstinence education programs in Massachusetts’ schools.   The abstinence movement and the pro-life movement work hand-in-hand to reduce the number of teen pregnancies and to promote true sexual health to America’s youth. 

Looking Ahead to a Pro-Life Presidency
Governor Romney has openly called for the overturning of Roe v. Wade provisions that keeps states from choosing their own policies on abortion.  Given this statement and his opposition to activists judges, one can safely assume that a President Romney would appoint Supreme Court Justices that are willing to overturn Roe v. Wade and allow each state to determine its abortion policy.  The pro-life community prays for the opportunity to fight this battle in state legislatures and a President Romney would likely work to make that a reality.

Governor Romney has declared that he is pro-life with exceptions for rape, incest, and to save the life of the mother.   This position is identical to that of President George W. Bush, the most pro-life president we’ve ever had.  In a recent interview with Hugh Hewitt, Governor Romney stated that there is no difference between his stance on life issues and President Bush’s stance of life issues.  The pro-life community would welcome the opportunity to build on the Bush legacy of pro-life policy advancements.

After learning about what he’s done as governor, can you imagine a President Romney vetoing any pro-life legislation?  I can’t.  I think Mitt Romney will be a heroic pro-life champion as President of the United States.

Changing Hearts & Minds:  The Goal of the Pro-Life Movement
Skeptics will undoubtedly accuse Governor Romney of flip-flopping on the issue of abortion in order to connect with all-important values voters.   It is true that his position has changed since he ran for Senate in 1994, but we welcome converts to our cause.  To hear him explain the reasons behind his conversion and to study what he has done as governor leaves little doubt that Mitt Romney is a real-deal pro-lifer. 

The pro-life movement exists to change the hearts and minds of those who are pro-abortion or indifferent on the issue.  Many of the most effective pro-life leaders in the movement are former pro-abortion advocates  If he flip-flopped on the issue, he flopped in the right direction and he did it for the right reasons. 

A few years ago, a very liberal friend of mine called me up to inform me that after years of friendly debate, he had switched from pro-abortion to pro-life.  Do I hold it against him that he used to be pro-abortion?   No way.  I celebrate the fact that he saw the light.  Pro-life voters will be willing to do the same with a presidential candidate who has proven he’ll stand on pro-life convictions.

The Republican Party:  The Party of Life
The GOP is a big tent party.  We welcome people with differing views into our party and we work together on issues when we can find common ground.   But the Republican Party is the pro-life party and if we abandon this in 2008, we can kiss the presidency goodbye.  Many will disagree with this opinion.  To do so underestimates the importance and the power of the pro-life base of our party.

Many Republican voters list abortion as the number one issue they consider when deciding whom to support at the ballot box.  They are single-issue voters and they will not, under any circumstances, cast a vote for an openly pro-abortion candidate.  And here’s the important thing: there are enough of these voters to ensure that our candidate will be pro-life. 

I was at a meeting in Washington, D.C. recently where a prominent government official said “the pro-life movement has veto power over our next presidential nominee.  If you (pro-lifers) aren’t happy with a candidate, they will not be our nominee.” 

I agree with this assessment.  Mitt Romney has proven that he will be a leader on life issues and pro-life voters should give him the chance.  

For Romney quotes on abortion, click here.

 

Contact us at nathan(at)americansformitt.com