2000: In his book, The America We Deserve, Trump writes, “I support a woman’s right to choose, but I am uncomfortable with the procedures."
2000's: Unconfirmed online reports suggest Trump has articulated his pro-choice position during appearances on Howard Stern's radio program. If Trump's bid gets more serious, expect this audio -- if it exists -- to surface.
November 2010: Trump sits down with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos to discuss a possible run for president:
GS: Are you pro-choice?
DT: Excuse me.
GS: Are you pro-choice?
DT: I am-- well, I-- I don't want to discuss right now, but you will be shocked when I give you that answer.
GS: How can I be shocked?
DT: Well, you will be very surprised what I give you. I'm going to make a decision, and when I make a decision, I'll let you know about that, but I think you'd probably be surprised.
April 2011: Trump assures Fox's Sean Hannity he's pro-life (and also "so for" the death penalty):
Last week: Trump appears on MSNBC and demonstrates zero awareness of the Supreme Court's 1965 Griswold v. Connecticut decision establishing a "right" to privacy, which served as the legal underpinning for Roe v. Wade eight years later. Stumped:
Perhaps this is just a stylistic quibble, but I wonder how convinced social conservatives will be by Trump's insistence that he "supports pro-life." He doesn't talk about the issue in a way that suggests he's even remotely familiar with the vernacular of the movement. That's not a damning indictment in itself, but coupled with his muddled, multiple-choice abortion stances through the years and his well known opportunistic tendencies, pro-life voters would be wise to take Trump's self-described transformation with a heaping helping of salt and skepticism.
UPDATE: A reader points out that a number of major evangelical leaders say their flocks may be open to supporting Trump. Several cite his, ahem, pro-life views:
I'd be curious to hear if Reed, Perkins, and Graham ever wonder whether Trump would stick with his new-found convictions if, say, he perceived them to be unhelpful to his next endeavor -- whatever it may be. Who here doubts he'd abandon them in a nanosecond?
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