Wednesday, August 22, 2007
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Romney Favors States on Abortion Rights?
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Posted by:
Matt Lewis at
3:57 PM
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This is getting confusing...
From ABC News:
"My view is that the Supreme Court has made an error in saying at the national level one size fits all for the whole nation," Romney told Jon Ralston in a televised interview. "Instead, I would let states make their choices."
Asked by Ralston whether it was "OK" with him that Nevada is a "pro-choice state," Romney said, "I'd let states make their own decision in this regard. My view, of course, is I'm a pro-life individual. That's the position I support. But, I'd let states have this choice rather than let the federal government have it."
Watch Stephanopoulos' interview with Romney here.
And watch Romney flip again here.
But ...
Romney's Aug. 21 interview with Ralston conflicts with the position he staked out Aug. 6 during an interview on ABC News' "Good Morning America."
Asked by Stephanopoulos whether he supports the Republican Party's 2004 platform on abortion rights, which states, "We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and we endorse legislation to make it clear that the 14th Amendment's protections apply to unborn children," Romney said, "You know, I do support the Republican platform, and I support that being part of the Republican platform and I'm pro-life."
Update: 5:05 PM - I had a chance to catch up with a senior Romney advisor. Essentially, here is the explanation:
"Governor Romney ultimately wants an Amendment to protect the unborn. However, he views overturning Roe -- and sending it back to the states -- as a first step. Once it's sent back to the states, you then have a chance to have a real debate and win hearts and minds to the pro-Life cause."
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"Romney Cover up?
"In a February 8, 2007 press release, Senator Craig was named one of Romney’s Co-Senate liaisons.
Boston, MA - Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced that U.S. Senators Robert Bennett (R-UT) and Larry Craig (R-ID) will serve as Co-Senate Liaisons for the Romney for President Exploratory Committee. As Liaisons, they will lead Governor Romney’s outreach efforts to their fellow Senators.
So my question is, did Mitt Romney scrub Senator Larry Craig off his YouTube?
Updated 8/27/07 at 5:05pm: An e-mailer writes that, according to the Romney camp, CNN just reported Senator Craig resigned his post with the Romney campaign.
Updated 8/27/07 at 5:10pm: CNN’s Political Ticker:
The Romney campaign has also pulled a video of Craig from its YouTube channel, according to the online Web site The Politico.
The video, a clip of Craig praising Romney for his “strong family values,” was changed to a “private” video shortly after the news surfaced of the arrest, The Politico reports.
That was quick.
Posted by Matt Ortega"" |
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Remember the old cartoon "Rocky and Bullwinkle" well heres a quote.
"Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of a hat."
Then he pulls out a lion.
Seems like every other day Romney pulls a new position out of his magic hat, except it's one lie after the other.
And to think, I actually liked this guy. I really thought he was something great. That ended quickly, after checking him out. It is so disgusting how the MSM is touting him as a conservative. What a fraud. |
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You guys can call Dr. Paul all the names you want. And if you think a registared Republican such as myself is insane for looking to a candidate that ACTUALLY supports limited government go ahead. Remember that WAS the Republican platform not too many years ago. And if you think it is just quacks on the internet you are sorley mistaken. i have had many conversations with real people that love the Message that Paul is speaking. Limited government, getting rid of the IRS/Federal Reserve, having the military do what it was intended to do - Protect OUR borders, and stomping out entitlment programs. How do none of you understand that this IS conservatism and the reason I signed up for the Republican party years ago. Look, I don't care if you don't like Paul, you are going to vote who you vote for. But to just throw out name calling is an amateur move.
But you will have to do one thing, you will have to admit to yourself that you DO favor large government by supporting Rommney or Rudy. That is fine, but instead of saying Paul is not conservative, you will have to admit that you, yourself are not conservative. You are in favor are big government if you support the Republican "front runners". That is just fact. |
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Remember the scene where the fly is saying "Help me, help me", well thats what the MA voters are doing right now, after Romney's reign as governor.
"*As U.S. real output grew 13 percent between 2002 and 2006, Massachusetts trailed at 9 percent.
*Manufacturing employment fell 7 percent nationwide those years, but sank 14 percent under Romney, placing Massachusetts 48th among the states.
*Between fall 2003 and last autumn, U.S. job growth averaged 5.4 percent, nearly thrice Massachusetts’ anemic 1.9 percent pace."
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"How is Romney buying the election? Oh, you mean by using the money people gave to him because they believe in him, and didn't give to Paul because they don't believe in him?"
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OUCH !
'Game, set, match' to PortlandMom.
PortlandMom, I'll politely warn you ahead of time that Jack Shiite may reply with a non-sequitir remark about a data base, a conspiracy, or an allegation that you and I are each agents of:
A) Israel;
B) a multi-national corporation;
C) a phone bank in New Delhi, India;
...or...
D) the Bilderbergers.
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I'm sorry, my post was to you and I failed to say so.
BTW- How is Romney buying the election? Oh, you mean by using the money people gave to him because they believe in him, and didn't give to Paul because they don't believe in him? |
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As a supporter you should know that Ron Paul is above - all else - a libertarian!
Gee, Jack, why do you think GOP'ers are rejecting him? Maybe because he is a loser on the main issue of the day - fighting Islamofascism! He cannot and WILL NOT protect this country. That makes him a real lib (ertarian or not) to me.
And no one is paying me to say that. |
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by the way. if you want a lie, here is one said by yourself that is easily demonstrable by looking at the real numbers of fundraising as reported by the FEC:
"In fact, excluding Ron Paul. Without Romney's $9M loan to his campaign, Guiliani would have beat him."
Romney as of second quarter has raised $34,243,664 from other people. Guliani has raised $33,085,339. These are facts, so if you want to talk about lies, you are straight up lying about things like numbers that are easily demonstrable. Romney has more financial support from any other GOP candidate. wow, they all must be stupid because they don't support ron paul.
I get my numbers from objective resources (the fec), not ron paul supported websites. might want to be more careful when spewing your rhetoric and talking points.
http://www.fec.gov/DisclosureSearch/mapApp.do?drillLevel=US&stateName=&cand_id=P80003353 [romneys numbers as reported by the FEC]
http://www.fec.gov/DisclosureSearch/mapApp.do?drillLevel=US&stateName=&cand_id=P00003251
Like I said, everybody that supports anybody must be getting paid. by that logic, jackshiite must be a full time ron paul employee. such a lame argument. sometime i wonder why i am wastin gmy time responding to this crap.
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jackshiite,
nice try. throwing around the word liar is a bit much.
take the romney lent his campaign and minus it out of the picuture. He has still outraised every single gop candidate.
no lies, just facts. whether he spent the money or not is another issue. yes he has spent a lot. I am sure ron paul would as well if he had it. don't even try and argue he wouldn't.
all the rhetorica is irritating. everybody is paid if they support anybody other than ron paul and everybody is a liar if they post anything good about anybody but ron paul.
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Breakout the DNC talking points like in 1999 when the press and Dems went after GWBush. Yes, while on Wolf Blitzer's Late Editon, Brownback said exactly the same thing as Romney in 2007 and Bush in 1999.
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Thanks very much for reminding us how poorly King Mitt's country compared to the US during his reign.
What was that? He wasn't the king? He didn't have sovereign power to mandate in the face of an overwhelmingly Democratic Legislature?
Folks that use statistics to support their position without considering all the factors simply make my head hurt. |
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*As U.S. real output grew 13 percent between 2002 and 2006, Massachusetts trailed at 9 percent.
*Manufacturing employment fell 7 percent nationwide those years, but sank 14 percent under Romney, placing Massachusetts 48th among the states.
*Between fall 2003 and last autumn, U.S. job growth averaged 5.4 percent, nearly thrice Massachusetts’ anemic 1.9 percent pace.
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Romney is in the right position now, but that is not his second step to us federalists. Thompson, and even Giuliani have been pushing state decisions for a long time. Romney at one moment favors state control, then federal, and then back to state.
Which is it? |
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Jackshiite
who is spewing talking points. the whole 'purchase' your vote is the biggest talking point the loser candidates are constantly throwing out there because they don't have any money.
guess what. that money he spends to get his message out was given to him by supporters! Something those candidates like ron paul don't have as many off. romney has more donors and more money donated to him than any other republican candidate.
so who is a paid blogger here? JackShiite must a paid blogger for ron paul since he supports ron paul. is it possible to study the candidates, make a choice on who is best, and then defend that choice and rational by responding to attacks without being a paid blogger for romney or anybody else?
if you don't like romney, state your reasons that are not logically flawed.
I think Romney is the man because everything he touches seems to turn to gold. He is a change agent, a turnaround specialist. he is polished, has alot of executive experience, is the man on the health care issue.... and on and on. these are reasons. Just becuase I think this doesn't mean i am paid by him. and just because i donated money to him doesn't mean he bought my vote.
when candidates get money it means they have support. ron paul's money that he does have came from people like you. stop trashing on it like it is bad. I think you have reasoned opinions but that crap about money is simply spin. It makes it sound like you are a paid ron paul blogger. it makes it sound like he paid for your vote..... see how dumb it sounds. |
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.... because someone gets careless and forgets to make a trip to the drugstore. I remember the uproar when birth control pills first became available! Everytime women try to control their sexuality or try to decide whether or not to continue a pregnancy all hell breaks loose!!!! I personally resent male politicians and male judges trying to control women's lives on such a sensitive topic. Look, this arguemtnt goes back to the garden of Eden. Men hate and resent women and pregnancy is the perfect way to keep women in their place. Can't do much of anything (like run for president) when you're knocked up! Gee I thought conservatives wanted government out of people's lives!!!!!! So why don't you mind your own business. |
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states should chooose this issue. roe v wade took that awawy. nine guys decided to make that choice for the whole country.
i see no contradictions. states should be able to choose and then that state should choose not to allow it just as he said. he is personally against it but thinks the states should choose.
as for a federal amendment, the people of the states must chooose such an amendment for it to pass. either way, the people choose, which is what he has said all along.
the media just needs something to talk about. funny though that they never worry about hillary's endless number of flip flops, or edwards for that matter. both have completly reinvented themselvse. liberal to moderate in hillary's case and moderate to liberal in edwards' case.
this topic is boring. abortion is wrong! end of story. |
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If Mitt Romney said, "Good morning" before 12 o'clock and then said, "Good afternoon" after 12 o'clock, he'd be accused of flip-flopping. This is how ridiculous this whole thing has become.
Everything he says now is viewed by his enemies through this absurdly distorted prism. Other candidates suffer to some degree, but not as severely in my estimation.
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people overlook the simple progression that such change needs to take place. we can stand around and chant that we are pro-life and whole-life like the brownbackers do, but what vision do they have for making change happen?
romney gives us a glimpse here of his vision, and rather than acknowledging the simple reasoning behind his statements, so called "conservatives" would rather buy into another hit job by abc.
when will we learn?
maybe it will take hillary getting elected to teach us our lesson... |
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Overturn Roe,
Take it to the states,
Work for an amendment.
Makes perfect sense to me and every other pro-lifer who cares about how to acheive the goal.
Romney is exactly right on with respect to abortion.
Also Jack - I highly doubt there is one paid supporter of Romney here. Get a clue. |
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Actually I wasnt a full supporter until I read the AP article yesterday about his stance on States Rights and R v W. These have always been front and center issues for me and I have long been a staunch Amendment 10 supporter sometimes feeling like a dying breed because of how effective liberalism has been circumventing it.
I will prob. take you up on your suggestion. I havent been part of anyone's campaign as yet in my 30 years as a conservative voter. Might be fun. |
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Who's minding your business while you're so busy minding everyone else's?
http://www.guttmacher.org/in-the-know/cost.html
If you have updated stats, let's see 'em.
Also, since when has it been the business of the United States to invoke laws on your version of some superstitious idea?
If you're so worried about abortions, tell me, how many of your friends, family and co-workers have adopted unwanted children in the past few years?
Better still, did you even take human biology in college? Do you have any understanding of the development of a zygote?
This insantity, rooted in the "imaginary" and propelled by superstitions, needs to end.
Here's the hard truth:
God is imaginary
Prayer is superstitious
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You mean you can get paid for supporting Romney on these sites???? Where do I sign up? Win win for me. I support him and I could get paid too??? Cool. |
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Once upon a time the states rights card was used to defend slavery. Why can't people in the South own people? what was
the big deal? It was their cherished "peculiar institution" and a cherished way of life for Southerners for generations. Ditto abortion. Why can't more conservative states ban abortion? why can't the federal government mind it's own business?
If Roe v wade is ever overturned I hope lawmakers provide women with road maps, bus fare and plane fare to abortion friendly states.
Romney is just a phony trying to score points with his new best friends on the extreme right. |
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Personally, I like this approach and TEAM Romney is right on the mark. Let's start with the states and if all goes well perhaps we can discuss this most delicate issue on a National level. Go Mitt! |
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Matt Lewis,
I'm not convinced you have an understanding of the legal arguments involved in the opposition to Roe V. Wade, thus, that's why you're prematurely jumping all over Mitt Romney in this blog post of yours.
Naturally, I expect ABC News to confuse the issue, as they're just looking out for their number one---the Democratic Party.
In his 1973 dissenting opinion on Roe V. Wade, William Rehnquist wrote;
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"There apparently was no question concerning the validity of this provision or of any of the other state statutes when the Fourteenth Amendment was adopted.....the drafters did not intend to have the Fourteenth Amendment withdraw from the States the power to legislate with respect to this matter."
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And Justice Byron White wrote that he saw
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"...no constitutional warrant for imposing such an order of priorities on the people and legislatures of the States."
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Romney's statement about returning the responsibility back to the states is neither a flip, nor a flop,---it is merely the argument which opponents of abortion---including Supreme Court dissenters Rehnquist and Byron White---have articulated for 34 years.
As far as George Stephenopolous' question to Romney about the GOP platform goes, most people couldn't tell you what's in their party's platform.
Anyhow, the platform is written by partisan activists---not scholars of Constitutional Law.
I seem to recall that when Bob Dole ran in '96, he famously laughed about not even having read the GOP platform.
I think most people would agree that when Romney was quoted as saying "I'd let states have this choice rather than let the federal government have it" he was probably talking about opposition to the Supreme Court's overreaching decision of Roe V. Wade---not opposition to a future Amendment.
After all, a future Amendment would be the ultimate expression of the state legislatures in action. |
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...to this endless hair-splitting--and mind-numbing--questioning regarding abortion.
Q: Do you support the Republican Party platform, that favors a Constitutional amendment to protect the unborn?
A: In a perfect world, our Constitution would already be properly interpreted by the Supreme Court of the United States, as saying that the 14th amendment does, in fact, apply to the unborn. But since we don't live in a perfect world, our next best option--in light of the Supreme Court's having improperly interpreted the Constitution--would be an amendment making it plain that the 14th amendment DOES in fact apply to the unborn. Barring that, and falling back on true conservative, federalist principles, we must allow the states individually to decide to what level they will allow or restrict abortion, including the decision of whether or not to spend tax payer dollars in direct support of abortion. |
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Romney's explanation is perfectly reasonable and acceptable. As a pro-life absolutist myself, I agree with Romney's position. First defeat Roe, then hit the next hurdle. I know pragmatism may seem insufficient when lives are quite literally at stake, but there's reality and then there's fantasy. Let's deal with reality. |
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It seems that the left has been so successful in squelching the 10th Amendment that we rarely hear politicians mentioning let alone campaigning on States rights. THREE CHEERS ROMNEY!! He is correct, R V. W will be overturned based upon this argument. Its been a long time coming, but it looks like Romney may be just the guy we need in DC. Limiting the control of the Federal government and shifting it to the states combined with his fiscal conservative nature is just what this country so desperately needs right now. |
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Romney was running for governor in a state that clearly favors abortion. He made statements supportive of abortion rights -- meaning, he was committed to preserving the status quo. Had he taken any more conservative position, he never would have been governor. He never could have solved the budget crisis. He couldn't have done a lot of other things. It's no great sin to offer to preserve the status quo, if you know that's the only way you can get elected and do some good.
However, numerous pro-life groups have acknowledged his pro-life stances as governor. When given the opportunity to expand abortion rights, he nixed them. He protected life from new assaults while keeping his campaign promise of preserving the status quo.
What's so hard to understand about that? You may call it splitting hairs, but I call it politics. Sometimes you have to bite your lip to accomplish some good.
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I personally favor a national amendment. However, at least Romney did not lobby for abortion like Thompson nor is he in support of abortion like Rudy. Of the major candidates he is the best on abortion.
The other candidates are not going to get the nomination. Thompson just got a lawsuit filed against him for violation of the "testing of the waters" provision. Rudy continues to try to back away from his very liberal past while getting little flack on slipfloping away. However, more Rep voters are realizing he is as or more liberal than Clinton on many social issues. |
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I like how Republicans, bloggers and "journalists" gobble up DNC talking points.
This one was from the middle of June.
It didn't work for Brownback. It ain't going to get ABC more viewers.
--snip--
ROMNEY SINGING A NEW SONG...AGAIN! On Abortion:
Old Mitt: Courted Endorsement From Pro-Choice Groups in 2002. During his 2002 campaign for governor, Romney reached out to Republican Majority for Choice to ask for its endorsement and later issued a press release highlighting that endorsement. Romney also completed a Planned Parenthood questionnaire in Apr '02, saying "yes" to a question about whether he supported "the substance of" Roe v. Wade, "yes" to "state funding of abortion services through Medicaid for low-income women" and "yes" to supporting "efforts to increase access to emergency contraception." Romney said on a NARAL questionnaire, "I respect and will protect a woman's right to choose." [Weekly Standard, 2/5/07].
New Mitt: After Epiphany, Views Have "Evolved." "Romney says his anti- abortion views have 'evolved and deepened' since he took office, colored in part by the debate over embryonic stem cell research. 'In considering the issue of embryo cloning and embryo farming, I saw where the harsh logic of abortion can lead -- to the view of innocent new life as nothing more than research material or a commodity to be exploited,' Romney wrote in an opinion piece in Tuesday's Boston Globe. He also said he believes each state should decide whether to allow abortion, rather than having the 'one size fits all' precedent of Roe v. Wade." [newsmax.com, 7/27/05]
--snip-- |
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Looks like a lot of work. Take DNC talking points. Post image. Type conjunction. Viola. You're the king of the world! |
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likely will not vote for him. However, this does prove that if you change your platform enough, you will come up with a good idea eventually......It should be settled at the State Level as well as most everything else the FEDS have stuck their nose in sence 1960! |
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I looked at both videos, and the only thing I can say is that the Stephmonopoly interview is not an attempt to clarify a states vs. feds rights issue. It was an offhand remark, and while it does need clarification, don't jump to the FFing conclusion. I didn't realize you were the "gotcha moment" kind of blogger. |
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Overturn Roe and make this an issue of states' rights? I would LOVE to fight this fight at a local and state level! I'm confident I can pursuade my neighbors. With Roe in place at the federal level codifying a manufactured "right" to abortion, I'm not even allowed to BEGIN to fight for life in my own community.
Mitt's on the right track. GO, MITT, GO! |
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ABC News is painting Romney as a flip-flopper. Romney's position that the States should have the ultimate say in Abortions is NOT a "position he staked out Aug. 6 during an interview on ABC News' 'Good Morning America.'" He has held that position for longer than he has been running for President.
Don't be drawn in by these seemingly inocuous statements from ABC News. Consider the source; they are feeding the fire. |
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No, what I want is someone I can somewhat beleive will at least try to stick with their convcitons. Not someone that changes their mind everytime a new poll comes out, like good ole boy Billy Jeff. I am tired of being told that I need to compromise and support a second rate candidate. We did that back in 1996 with Dole and ended up loosing badly. |
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You freaks on the right shouldn't be so eager to bash Romney. He is probably the best bet the GOP has of keeping the White House in '08.
Of course he's pro-choice. Get over it. Would you prefer "Presdient Hillary" or "President Obama?" |
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on the states part. However, he needs to keep a position for more than a few months.
He doesn't have Kerry beat, who could flip flop in the same paragraph. That takes REAL skill. |
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How can you say this Matt, after all, most of the posters to TH continue to berate those of us who call him a flipper, a flopper or a flip flopper. Maybe we just are not smart enough to understand what he is trying to say here.
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