It what appears to be an explosive blunder, Mitt Romney, once again, changed his position on abortion, saying he had no plans to restrict women's access to abortions, in an interview, tonight, with the Des Moines Register. A few hours later his campaign explained that it this was not true. Elise Foley reports Mitt Romney Abortion Stance Changes, As Candidate Says He Won't Push To Restrict Access.
Apparently, Romney is so enthusiastic about debating that he is taking on his own campaign staff.
Mitt Romney said Tuesday he has no plans to push for legislation limiting abortion, a softer stance from a candidate who has said he would "get rid of" funding for Planned Parenthood and appoint Supreme Court who would overturn Roe v. Wade. ... “There’s no legislation with regards to abortion that I’m familiar with that would become part of my agenda,” the Republican presidential nominee told The Des Moines Register in an interview.
The Romney campaign walked back the remark within two hours of the Register posting its story. Spokeswoman Andrea Saul told the National Review Online's Katrina Trinko that Romney "would of course support legislation aimed at providing greater protections for life."
Romney has flip flopped so many times, he can't seem to remember his own lies.
This article has four updates in less than an hour with responses from the Democratic National Committee posting an interview, in February, of Romney promising to cut funding to Planned Parenthood, and nominate Supreme Court Justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade.
Planned Parenthood issued a statement saying Romney was misleading the public about his position:
"Last week, Mitt Romney was dishonest about his tax plan and his Medicare plan, and today he’s being dishonest about his intention to end access to safe and legal abortion," Dawn Laguens, Planned Parenthood Action Fund executive vice president, said in a statement. "Mitt Romney has been crystal clear that if he’s elected President, he will work to overturn Roe v. Wade. Mitt Romney’s views on women’s health are far outside of the mainstream, and that’s why he’s trying to hide them in the last weeks until the election."
The Obama campaign ask if Romney had been lying earlier:
"It’s troubling that Mitt Romney is so willing to play politics with such important issues," Obama campaign spokeswoman Lis Smith said in a statement. "But we know the truth about where he stands on a woman’s right to choose – he’s said he’d be delighted to sign a bill banning all abortions, and called Roe v. Wade ‘one of the darkest moments in Supreme Court history’ while pledging to appoint Supreme Court justices who will overturn it. Women simply can’t trust him."
Perhaps, Mitt has gone debate crazy and now wishes to take on his own campaign. More likely, we see the extent and consequence of his lack of core principles and willingness to say whatever he thinks the audience want to hear. And, has lost track of his ability to remember his own lies. Not presidential material, IMO.
Tue Oct 09, 2012 at 9:47 PM PT: As this seems like such an explosive political blunder I've been looking for confirmation and it looks like this story is exploding all over the place. Here is more from the Associated Press in the Boston Herald, Mitt Romney promises no abortion legislation
DES MOINES, Iowa — Wading into an explosive social issue, Republican Mitt Romney on Tuesday said he would not pursue any abortion-related legislation if elected president.
"There’s no legislation with regards to abortion that I’m familiar with that would become part of my agenda," he told the Des Moines Register in an interview posted on the newspaper’s website. ...
Saul said Romney’s position is clear: "Mitt Romney is proudly pro-life, and he will be a pro-life president," she said.
Tue Oct 09, 2012 at 9:56 PM PT: The Wall Street Journal reports Mitt Romney steering towards the center.
CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio – Mitt Romney continued his shift to the center Tuesday, saying he wouldn’t pursue any abortion legislation if he wins the presidency.
“There’s no legislation with regards to abortion that I’m familiar with that would become part of my agenda,” Mr. Romney told The Des Moines Register’s editorial board Tuesday as he sought its endorsement.
Mr. Romney, who is opposed to abortion with certain exceptions, promised other moves to limit abortions. Before traveling to Ohio, he told the Iowa newspaper he would sign an executive order to ban U.S. foreign aid money from being used for abortions.
The GOP candidate has previously vowed to eliminate federal funds for Planned Parenthood clinics. And he said, if elected, he would appoint Supreme Court judges who oppose Roe v. Wade.