But, I've done my homework. Really, I have. This isn't just another knee-jerk reaction by a Utah, Red-State, Republican.
I do want to say that one of the biggest objections to Romney is turning out to be his switch from Pro-Abortion to Pro-Life. What he's said on the matter ought to settle that debate. This speech, given to the National Right to Life Convention Forum. Follow the link for the entire speech.
"In the midst of that battle, another arose. It involved cloning and embryo farming for purposes of research. I studied the subject in great depth. I have high hopes for stem cell research. But for me, a bright moral line is crossed when we create new life for the sole purpose of experimentation and destruction.
"That's why I fought to keep cloning and embryo farming illegal.
"It was during this battle that I began to focus a good deal more of my thinking on abortion.
"When I first ran for office, while I was always personally opposed to abortion, I considered whether this should be a private decision or whether it should be a societal and government decision. I concluded that I would support the law as it was in place – effectively, the pro-choice position.
"And I was wrong.
"What became clear during the cloning debate is how the harsh logic of an absolute right to abortion had cheapened the value of human life to the point that rational people saw a human embryo as nothing more than mere research material to be used, and then destroyed.
"The slippery slope was taking us to racks and racks of living human embryos, Brave New World-like, awaiting termination.
"What some see as just a clump of cells is actually a human life. Human life has identity. Human life has the capacity to love and be loved. Human life has a profound dignity, undiminished by age or infirmity.
"My experience as Governor taught me firsthand that the threat to our culture is real and those in a position to do so must take action to defend it.
"Times of decision are moments of great clarity. Before I was Governor, the life issue was just that, an issue. But when responsibility for life or ending life was placed in my hands, I made the right decision. I chose life.
"Just like some others in the pro-life movement, a moment of decision became a defining moment.
"And so, every time I faced a decision as Governor that related to life, I came down on the side of life.
"I fought to ban cloning.
"I fought to ban embryo farming.
"I fought to define life as beginning at conception rather than at the time of implantation.
"I fought for abstinence education in our schools.
"And I vetoed a so-called emergency contraception bill that gave young girls abortive drugs without prescription or parental consent.
"That is my record as Governor of Massachusetts.
"Recently, I was attacked by one of my opponents because when I ran for Governor I promised to maintain the status quo with regards to laws relating to abortion in Massachusetts. Of course, I kept that promise. But in Massachusetts, that meant vetoing pro-choice legislation – as I consistently did as Governor. That's why last month I was honored with an award from Massachusetts Citizens for Life in recognition of the actions I took as Governor to protect life."
3 comments:
There's no question that among the front runners, Romney has the actual best track record in what he has actually done with respect to being pro life. The rhetoric of his senatorial and gubernatorial campaigns pales in comparison to his actions.
But Romney seems to be another big government compassionate conservative. His universal health care coverage plan in Massachusetts gives me significant pause. I'm also not sold that Romney would prosecute the war effort effectively. It's different than anything he's ever undertaken and he hasn't really given a solid story or perception of how he would deal with this major issue.
I'm not ready to commit to anyone at this point. Frankly I just don't see any electable small government, pro-life, military genius conservatives on the radar scope at the moment. Yeah, my expectations are too high. But I haven't figured out what deficiencies I am actually ready to live with yet.
Tyler, I am very seriously trying to understand the neural pathways and behavior that makes you an R and others like me a Dem. Let me give you a couple of the dichotomies I perceive with Romney and now especially because of your endorsement of him. Honestly though, if he were a Democrat would your religious ties not overrule your party loyalty?
First of all, I don't understand how anti-abortion "right-to-life" floppers like Romney can favor the death penalty and oppose reducing infant morality through prenatal care programs. As George Lakoff has noted many of us do not understand why budget-cutting conservatives spare no public expense to build prison after prison to house even non-violent offenders. Did you know not Tyler, compared with other countries; the United States has the highest incarceration rates in the world. We are ahead of China and Russia. We have 5 percent of the world's population and 25 percent of the world's prison inmates. I believe this is a direct legacy or the Reagan years. Furthermore, I hear of the attacks on violence in the media, but our R state dominated legislature all want us to carry our machine guns to school in. Our local R Centerville voting district chair advocated carrying ‘heat’ to church. Trust me I heard it with my own ears.
I read that Mitt has been very successful raising money among the LDS faithful. I have a question for you in this regard. Do you think all of this money from Mormons passing to Mitt will reduce donations to better causes such as the PEF, Humanitarian Fund or just plain Fast Offerings?
Romney definitely has a solid track record on fiscal issues, but I don't think I'd be able to endorse him just yet. (I'm still rooting for Ron Paul. As a Cubs fan, I'm used to cheering for the guy I know is going to lose.) For me, he's a "best option" but not an ideal option.
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