Although most Republican presidential candidates have signed on to a pro-life pledge, Mitt Romney and others dismissed it entirely, while Herman Cain agreed with three of the four points of the pledge.
For background, read Presidential Candidates Address Christian America and also read Presidential Candidates: Abortion & Marriage Top Issues
UPDATE 8/26/11: Rick Perry signs pro-life pledge
UPDATE 10/12/11: Herman Cain says abortion should be illegal (even rape/incest)
-- From "Abortion pledge stirs reaction from Republican candidates" by Jennifer Jacobs, Des Moines Register 6/18/11
Five Republican presidential candidates have signed a pledge to ban certain abortions, appoint federal judges who won’t “legislate from the bench” and cut off federal funding to organizations that perform abortions, according to a political action committee.
Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Tim Pawlenty, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum agreed to the Susan B. Anthony List’s “pro-life leadership pledge,” its organizers say.
The abortion foes say Republican candidates Herman Cain, Gary Johnson and Mitt Romney declined to sign it.
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From "Herman Cain Reaffirms Pro-Life View After Not Signing Pledge" by Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com 6/18/11
“I support right-to-life issues unequivocally and I adamantly support the first three aspects of the Susan B. Anthony pledge involving appointing pro-life judges, choosing pro-life cabinet members, and ending taxpayer-funded abortions,” Cain said in a statement. “However, the fourth requirement demands that I ‘advance’ the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. As president, I would sign it, but Congress must advance the legislation.”
“I have been a consistent and unwavering champion of pro life issues,” Cain added. “In no way does this singular instance of clarification denote an abandonment of the pro-life movement, but instead, is a testament to my respect for the balance of power and the role of the presidency.”
The statement seems somewhat nuanced, in that while Cain, as president, couldn’t “advance” pro-life legislation through Congress, but he can undoubtedly use the power of the bully pulpit the presidency affords to persuade members of the House and Senate to advance the bill.
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From "Romney won't sign abortion pledge" by Kendra Marr, Politico 6/17/11
“Governor Romney pledged in the last campaign that he would be a pro-life president and of course he pledges it today,” said spokeswoman Andrea Saul in a statement. “However, this well-intentioned effort has some potentially unforeseen consequences and he does not feel he could in good conscience sign it. Gov. Romney has been a strong supporter of the SBA List in the past and he looks forward to continue working with them to promote a culture of life.”
Saul said that Romney, who publicly supported abortion rights in his 1994 Senate and 2002 gubernatorial campaigns, was concerned that the pledge would “strip taxpayer funding from thousands of health care facilities” and that it “strictly limits the choices” in appointing federal officials.
The pledge calls for legislation to defund Planned Parenthood – already a rallying point for the social conservative movement – and to cut funding to “all other contractors and recipients of federal funds with affiliates that perform or fund abortions.”
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From "Santorum Slams Romney Over Abortion Pledge" by CNN Political Unit 6/18/11
Rick Santorum, the Pennsylvania senator and now presidential candidate, has some tough criticism for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney after his refusal to sign an anti-abortion pledge.
"This past Monday night at the Republican presidential debate, I was asked about Gov. Romney's pro-life conversion, and I gave him the benefit of the doubt," Santorum said. "I apparently spoke too soon. It is incredibly disappointing that Gov. Romney chose not to defend those who cannot defend themselves.
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Also read GOP Pro-homosexual Candidate for President
