Former Governor Mitt Romney (R-MA) has a reputation for flip-flopping on reproductive health issues. He used to support abortion rights, which he explained was because of the death of a sister-in-law from an illegal abortion.
However, now Romney says that he has changed his mind:
"I've always been personally pro-life, but for me there was a great question about whether or not government should intrude in that decision. And when I ran for office, I said I'd protect the law as it was, which is effectively a pro-choice position. About two years ago when we were studying cloning in our state, I said, look, we have gone too far; it's a brave new world mentality that Roe v. Wade has given us; and I change my mind ... I won't apologize to anybody for becoming pro-life."
On Meet the Press, when asked what he would do as President, he responded that, "The first step, in my view, is that Roe v. Wade be overturned. And ultimately, as an aspirational goal, I would love it if America came to a point where we're not today, where the people of America would welcome a society that did not have abortion. But that's not where we are, and so I'm not promoting or fighting for a constitutional amendment to ban abortion in all 50 states. I am fighting for an overturning of Roe v. Wade. And the consequences? They would be like the consequences associated with the bill relating to partial birth abortion, which, of course, does not punish the woman."
Romney was endorsed by the Republicans for Choice Coalition in his 2002 bid for governor.
As a governor, Romney has no voting record, but he has taken mixed positions on reproductive health issues. In 2002 he endorsed legalization of RU-486, but in 2005 he vetoed legislation that would have ensured emergency contraception for rape victims.
Romney drew criticism from anti-choice groups by signing legislation in 2005 to expand family planning services, including emergency contraception.
He supported the Supreme Court decision to uphold the federal abortion ban.
"Our nation's highest court reaffirmed the value of life in America by upholding a ban on a practice that offends basic human decency. This decision represents a step forward in protecting the weakest and most innocent among us."
Romney supports abstinence education.
Romney supports a "free market" solution to America's health care problem:
Mitt Romney vows to protect a woman's right to choose while running for governor of Massachusetts:
