Reason number one Romney shouldn’t – and honestly, won’t – pick Condoleeza Rice? Reactions like this. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of pro-life advocacy group Susan B. Anthony List, expressed strong disappointment in the rumor that Romney has Condi under consideration, issuing this statement via email:
Former Secretary Rice's position on the sanctity of human life makes her an unqualified candidate for Governor Romney to choose as a running mate. Throughout the campaign, including at the Palmetto Freedom Forum last September, he has pledged to us in no uncertain terms that he would choose a pro-life running mate. We have taken Governor Romney at his word and therefore believe Secretary Rice will be ruled out of consideration. Secretary Rice's position violates criteria that Governor Romney himself has laid out.
Romney’s already come under the microscope from conservatives who note his ambiguous position on the issue of abortion, which has changed over the years. To combat fear on the right that he’s too moderate, he pledged to choose a staunchly pro-life vice president, and Condi isn’t.
Of course, not all conservatives thought this would be a bad choice – take it from someone who knows: Sarah Palin. She joined Greta van Susteren last night to chat about the potential Condi pick, and didn’t seem too phased by the abortion roadblock:
“I think that Condoleezza Rice would be a wonderful vice-president,” Palin said warmly to Greta Van Susteren last night noting that Rice “certainly has much more experience than our sitting president does today.”
When asked about Rice’s “moderately pro-choice” views, Palin reminded Van Susteren that the vice-president does not legislate abortion.
“I would certainly prefer a Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidate who had that respect for all innocent precious purposeful human life.” Palin added, citing her own pro-life views. “We need to remember, though, that it’s not the Vice-President that would legislate abortion and that would be Congress’s role and we’ll keep that in mind.”
So will it be her? Likely not, but it’s certainly interesting to see the divide in opinion among prominent conservatives.