Myth vs. Fact: The Facts on Governor Romney's Pro-Life Record
Monday, Jan 22, 2007

MYTH: Today, Materials Passed Out By "Anonymous Somebodies" Claim Governor Romney Supported RU-486 "As Late As 2005." "Liz Mair sends word that some anonymous somebodies are passing out anti-Romney fliers at the March for Life in Washington, D.C. today. Among the bullet points listed are allegations that Governor Romney flip-flopped on RU-486 – as late as 2005 supposedly supportive of the idea of forcing Catholic hospitals to dispense the abortion drug." ("Romney Backed RU-486?," www.redstate.com, 1/22/06)

FACT: Governor Romney Is Pro-Life, Opposes RU-486 And Has A Record Of Taking Action To Protect The Sanctity Of Life. "If you want to know where I stand by the way, you don't just have to listen to my words, you can go to look at my record as governor. ... I have also taken action to protect the sanctity of life. I vetoed bills that authorized embryo farming, therapeutic cloning, Plan B emergency contraception, and of course a redefinition of when life was going to begin as well." (Romney For President Exploratory Committee, "Governor Mitt Romney On His 1994 Debate With Senator Ted Kennedy," Press Release, 1/10/07)

- To view video, please see: http://mittromney.permissiontv.com/?showid=36427

Governor Romney Is Supported By Leading Pro-Lifers, Including:

- Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC)
- Former Representative Vin Weber (R-MN)
- Representative Jim McCrery (R-LA)
- Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
- Representative Tom Feeney (R-FL)
- Representative Dave Camp (R-MI)
- Representative Howard "Buck" McKeon (R-CA)

FACT: In 2005, Governor Romney Vetoed Morning-After Pill Legislation. "Gov. Mitt Romney vetoed a bill on Monday expanding access to emergency contraception, angering abortion rights advocates while pleasing anti-abortion activists... 'If it only dealt with contraception, I wouldn't have a problem with it. But it also in some cases terminates a life after conception, and therefore it ceases in that case to be a contraceptive provision,' he said." (Theo Emery, "Romney Vetos [Sic] Emergency Contraception Bill," The Associated Press, 7/25/05)

- Pro-Life Leaders Praised The Move. "Jim Sedlak, vice president of the American Life League, a national anti-abortion group, called the veto 'fantastic.' 'I think any candidate that establishes themselves as respecting human life in the earliest stages – and that's what Gov. Romney has done here – would certainly be appealing to pro-life voters,' he said. ... Marie Sturgis, executive director of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, said that anti-abortion voters will look favorably on the governor's decision. 'I would think that would be a byproduct of this, sure, that pro-lifers would appreciate his stand. It would seem logical. Every time someone votes our way, our grass roots and certainly the organization is appreciative of that,' she said." (Theo Emery, "Romney Vetos [Sic] Emergency Contraception Bill," The Associated Press, 7/25/05)

FACT: In An Editorial At The Time, Governor Romney Explained His Veto, And Declared "I Am Pro-Life":

"Yesterday I vetoed a bill that the Legislature forwarded to my desk. Though described by its sponsors as a measure relating to contraception, there is more to it than that. The bill does not involve only the prevention of conception: The drug it authorizes would also terminate life after conception. ...

"I understand that my views on laws governing abortion set me in the minority in our Commonwealth. I am pro-life. I believe that abortion is the wrong choice except in cases of incest, rape, and to save the life of the mother. I wish the people of America agreed, and that the laws of our nation could reflect that view. ..." (Governor Mitt Romney, Op/Ed, "Why I Vetoed Contraception Bill," The Boston Globe, 7/26/05)