That was no faux paus - that was a blatant mischaracterization by Mitt of Reagan's views on abortion while he was governor.
Some Rudy boosters also have attempted the same thing, and for the exact same reason - to bring down Reagan a notch in the hopes it somehow makes their guy look better. But such an attempt is wrong. Reagan was never pro-choice and never in favor of abortion on demand. The legislation he signed allowed for legal abortion in cases of rape, incest and the health of the mother. Doctors abused that last provision.
That is a slight exaggeration. It was a poor choice of words. Did you watch the whole interview? He misspoke under pressure in a heated exchange during an interview where Chris Wallace had gone on the attack on several issues. Mitt has never used that term before when describing Reagan's position.
Given that Romney is at 4-5 townhall meetings and 6-7 interviews a day, and not just sitting at home writing essays, it is not surprising that he will have a few words misspoken here and there. Nobody is perfect.
What about your candidate's (Fred's) blunder in telling the CNN guy he supported the Federal Marriage Amendment on Friday and then turning around the very next day and saying he opposed it? Blunders happen. Nobody is perfect.
I sense increased desperation as people make mountains out of molehills.