In an interview with CBS, Mitt Romney tries to deflect the blowback that the Republican Party is receiving due to their hardline stance on abortion. The Republican Party platform calls for a constitutional amendment banning abortion. After all, if you believe that an embryo is a person, then any abortion — even in the case of rape or incest — would be murder. Statements from prominent Republicans about “legitimate” or “forced” rape are just making things worse.
Which has led Romney to distance himself from his own party’s platform.
But here’s where it gets really ironic. Romney tried to downplay the whole thing and paint it as a political distraction:
Recognize this is the decision that will be made by the Supreme Court. The Democrats try and make this a political issue every four years, but this is a matter in the courts. It’s been settled for some time in the courts.
Just who does he think appoints the members of the Supreme Court? And who ratifies those appointments?
Does he really think that we are too stupid to realize that the really crazy and damaging decisions (like Citizens United) made by the conservative members of the Supreme Court have nothing to do with the Republican Party that put them there?
UPDATE: Readers have made comments pointing out additional hypocrisy in what Romney says. When he says “this is the decision that will be made by the Supreme Court” he has it backwards — Roe v. Wade was already decided by the Supreme Court. Yes, as he says “it’s been settled for some time by the courts” — just not the way Republicans would like. Indeed, it is the Republicans who keep bringing this issue up — nobody forced them to put a call for a constitutional amendment into their party platform. Alternatively, they will continue to stack the Supreme Court with social conservatives who will overturn Roe v. Wade. It is also important to point out that if they do get a constitutional amendment passed, then saying that this would be decided by the courts is just nonsense. A constitutional amendment trumps the courts.
And finally, as I’ve said before, Republicans have had multiple chances to push for such a constitutional amendment, most recently during the last Bush administration when they also controlled Congress. But they didn’t do squat about it. They just keep cravenly bringing it up during elections to fire up the base.
9 Comments
You ask: “Does he really think that we are too stupid to realize that the really crazy and damaging decisions (like Citizens United) made by the conservative members of the Supreme Court have nothing to do with the Republican Party that put them there?”
Yes, he does. And given the number of people who vote Republican, he’s right.
“The Republican Party platform calls for a constitutional amendment banning abortion.”
“Recognize this is the decision that will be made by the Supreme Court.”
If the Constitution is amended to recognise a right to life from conception, then Roe v Wade wouldn’t stand – it absolutely becomes a question for the legislature and executive once constitutional amendment is in the picture.
Again from someone who opposes abortion for myself: There are 4000 unwanted babies aborted a day, 1.5 million a year. and 1.5 million a year the next year. Republicans want cut back in taxes meaning they want the 4000 unwanted babies to be born with no medical care, no social services, no education, no jobs. That is pure and simple cruelty.
You missed the biggest and most obvious things. Dissect his quote:
“Recognize this is the decision that will be made by the Supreme Court. The Democrats try and make this a political issue every four years, but this is a matter in the courts. It’s been settled for some time in the courts.”
Lie 1 – This is a decision that HAS been made by the Supreme Court.
Lie 2 – The REPUBLICANS make this an issue every four years; to the Democrats this issue was solved with Roe v Wade.
Amazing admission of truth – It’s been settled for some time in the courts. — confirming he knows that his first two statements are lies.
Romney never ceases to amaze.
Oh, and I would like to echo EBDoug’s very important observations.
“Democrats bring this up every four yeras.” WTF? Repuiblicans bring it up every four DAYS.
Agree completely with EBDoug’s comment. Repuiblcians have no concern for the child AFTER it’s born.
Agree with everything thats been said. The one thing I’d like to add is what is so troubling about Romney’s position.
Once he was pro-choice, then he was ‘severely’ conservative, then he would support a constitutional amendment banning all abortions, at this moment in time he is willing to accept exceptions for rape and incest (most probably because that is the position most likely to get him elected).
The problem isn’t his past positions or even his current position, it is his NEXT position, especially if he wins the election. The only information we have to try to divine his next position is the stated policy of his political party. That is what scares me.
Does anyone notice the similarity to Reagan who did what he was told? He mouthed his lines for the audience? and similar looks.
The biggest difference between Romney and Reagan to me is that even though I strongly disagreed with Reagan, I could watch him on TV. He did come off as a friendly person. I have trouble watching Romney for even a few seconds on TV. He just seems like a jerk.
I was in elementary and middle school during the Reagan years, so my opinion of him comes from hindsight. For those of you who are my seniors, feel free to correct me on this. However, the impression that I have is that Reagan sincerely believed in his major policies. The fervent anti-Communism, the idea that supply-side economics helps all (a rising tide lifts all boats), the belief that the Welfare state induces dependency, etc., etc. Sure, the ideas came from somewhere else, but the Gipper bought them hook, line, and sinker.
I just don’t see that from Romney at all. I think his only sincere belief is that he is taxed too much, and he will adopt any policy position that accomplishes that goal.