Posted on 12/13/2007 10:06:04 PM PST by Ol' Sparky
WASHINGTON — Fred Thompson escalated the Republican presidential candidates' war over abortion Wednesday by tying former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney to "$50 abortions in Massachusetts."
Romney, the governor from 2003 until January, helped create Commonwealth Care, a state-run and subsidized program for low- and moderate-income people. The state helps determine what services are to be covered, and its list includes a provision in which women can get abortions for $50 co-payments.
The legislation also created a MassHealth payment policy advisory board that gave Planned Parenthood a seat, but not an anti-abortion group.
"Romney claims to be pro-life," the Thompson campaign said in a statement. "But under his health care plan, Massachusetts residents now have access to taxpayer-funded abortions for $50."
The Thompson statement also said that Romney had used his line-item veto authority to strike eight sections of the bill, but not the terms guaranteeing Planned Parenthood board representation, "and he did nothing to prohibit taxpayer-financed abortions as part of his plan."
The Romney campaign objected. Spokesman Kevin Madden branded Thompson's claims a "distortion," saying that under state law, if Massachusetts is funding health care benefits, it can't refuse abortion coverage.
"Governor Romney is firmly pro-life and is dedicated to fostering a culture that welcomes and protects the sanctity of life," Madden said.
But the allegation by Thompson, the former Tennessee senator, hits Romney in a highly sensitive area. Romney was sympathetic to abortion rights when he ran for governor five years ago, but later became vocally anti-abortion.
"Mitt Romney ran as a pro-choice gubernatorial candidate in 2002," said Kelly O'Bryan, the political director of NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts, earlier this fall.
Romney has explained repeatedly that he didn't change his position on abortion for political reasons. He says he's always been personally opposed to abortion, but backed his state's right to set its own legal standard.
His view hardened during his governorship, notably as controversy over stem-cell research and human cloning led him to think more deeply about his views on human life.
Romney's camp pointed out that the Commonwealth Care package is administered by an independent public authority whose decisions were made separately from the Romney administration. But as governor, Romney appointed half the key decision-makers on the board.
"Other campaigns will peddle distortions on the issue of life," said Madden, "but Governor Romney will continue to talk about his pro-life record and position."
It’s sad watching Thompson turning into just another politician.
but there’s still hope for him.
It was required by law in Mass that any health care coverage had to inlude abortion coverage. Nice try Sparky, but you are just a political hack for your guy.
For later.
Go Fred!
What the hell do you want him to be? An abortion supporter?
Actually this was pretty lame by Fred. The real info would come out.
Ping
If this attack sticks, it may end Mitt Romney’s run. That’s a big “if” though.
“The Romney campaign ... branded Thompson’s claims a “distortion,””
Amazingly, it seems that anything that bring light on Romney is a “distortion”.
This just lame.
Life is cheap in Ratsachusetts, or would that be killing ?
This is just lame. I not Tarzan. :^)
“Romney claims to be pro-life.”
And he just as adamantly claimed in 2002:
“I don’t take the position of a pro-life candidate.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_w9pquznG4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_w9pquznG4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Elx3UWmyAY4
Well, there is his “pro-life” record for all to see and hear.......
Romney is a superweasel....keep up the pressure Fred!
” Amazingly, it seems that anything that bring light on Romney is a “distortion” “ or being called a “ bigot “
October 1994”I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country. I have since the time when my Mom took that position when she ran in 1970 as a U.S. Senate candidate. I believe that since Roe v. Wade has been the law for 20 years that we should sustain and support it, and I sustain and support that law and the right of a woman to make that choice.”
2002:”So when asked, will I preserve and protect a woman’s right to choose, I make an unequivocal answer: yes.”
November 2, 2002”I will preserve and protect a woman’s right to choose, and have devoted and am dedicated to honoring my word in that regard. ...I’m not going to make any changes that would make it more difficult for a woman to make that choice herself. ...A woman should have the right to make her own choice as to whether or not to have an abortion...I have held that view consistently. ...I do not take the position of a pro-life candidate. I’m in favor of preserving and protecting a woman’s right to choose.”
December 2005: “’My personal view, in my heart of hearts, is that people who are subject to rape should have the option of having emergency contraceptive or emergency contraceptive information.’ Romney’s decision to remove the exemption for private (Catholic) hospitals is a surprise victory for abortion rights advocates.” (13 months after his alleged conversion on the abortion
May 2007: “I was effectively pro-choice at that time.”
GOOD FOR FRED. Slick flip-flop Mitt’s record on abortion is terrible.
Mitt Romney flip flops on Abortion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFMdK0TWtks
Romney does not support 2nd Amendment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzYTdM9b5F4
Romney does not want to return to Reagan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pVqZzHm3Z4&feature=related
Romneys real record
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Elx3UWmyAY4
Romney on Abortion 2002
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_w9pquznG4
Mitt Romney Flip-Flops on hunting, abortion and iraq and dog
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PURfrORhWPc
Romney Flip flops/Duncun Hunter sets the record straight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AffxIfq4LWQ
Duncan Hunter/Huckabee stand up to Clinton/Corrupt News Network plant/Romney flip-flops on gays in military
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU-AFU_OiFo
It’s a distortion because it happened more than 6 months ago. Anything before 6 months ago is off limits. Conveniently, that’s when Mittens changed all his positions.
6 months is off limits. Over the course of 1 presidential term that gives him 8 opportunities to flip flop repeatedly. People thagt believe this phony should stick their head in the sand, they shouldn’t be voting in the first place.
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