Republican Presidential Candidates Discuss Abortion-Rights Views At National Right To Life Committee Convention

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) and Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), who both are running for the Republican presidential nomination, on Friday at the National Right to Life Committee's annual convention in Kansas City discussed their views on abortion rights, the AP/Boston Globe reports (Hanna, AP/Boston Globe, 6/15).

Romney in his remarks to hundreds of attendees said that he was "wrong" for previously supporting abortion rights and that he had "arrived at this place of principle only a few years ago" (Kraske, Kansas City Star, 6/15). He said, "My experience as governor taught me firsthand that the threat to our culture is real. When responsibility for life or ending life was placed in my hands, I made the right decision."

Brownback, when asked about abortion-rights opponents who support Romney, said, "I'd say, 'Look at me first.' I'm somebody who's been consistent." He added, "I've been fighting this fight for a long time, and I believe in it, and I think it's the central social, moral issue of our day." Former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.), who is considering running for the nomination, addressed the convention attendees on Thursday in a taped, three-minute speech. In his message, Thompson noted that he received NRTL's endorsement when he ran for the Senate in 1994. He added, "I've been with you ever since, and you've been with me ever since" (AP/Boston Globe, 6/15). Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), who is running for the nomination, also spoke at the convention (Kansas City Star, 6/15).

Romney Faces Questions Embryonic Stem Cell Research Position
Romney is "facing questions" on whether he has shifted his stance on expanding federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, the New York Times reports (Luo, New York Times, 6/15). Federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research is allowed only for research using embryonic stem cell lines created on or before Aug. 9, 2001, under a policy announced by President Bush on that date (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 6/8).

Romney in August 2004 "appeared to express support" for expanded federal funding of embryonic stem cell research, the Times reports. In addition, Romney responded to a question about his veto of a stem cell research-related measure in 2005 by saying, "The United States House of Representatives voted for a bill that was identical to what I proposed." He added, "They voted to provide for surplus embryos from in vitro fertilization processes being used for research and experimentation. That's what I said I support."














Romney in the Republican presidential debate in California last month said he would be "happy to allow" stem cell research on embryos that fertility clinics otherwise would discard. But he added, "I shouldn't say happy. It's fine for that to be allowed, to be legal. I won't use our government funds for that." Peter Flaherty -- Romney's deputy campaign manager, who was his deputy chief of staff and adviser on bioethics issues when he was governor -- said, "From the moment we sat down as an administration to formulate a policy on stem cell research, the governor has never been a proponent of expanded federal funding or state funding for embryonic stem cell research." He added that Romney is a "strong advocate for federal funding for alternative methods to get pluripotent stem cells, such as altered nuclear transfer and direct reprogramming" (New York Times, 6/15).

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