Admitting “I was wrong” about abortion, presidential candidate Mitt Romney assured pro-lifers Friday that his conversion to their cause was based on conviction, not politics.
But Romney’s change of heart was assailed by both Democrats and Republicans, who said the former Massachusetts governor was perpetuating yet another flip-flop.
Mindful of his vulnerability on this issue, Romney accepted an invitation to speak at the National Right to Life Convention in Kansas City, Mo. He compared himself to other Republicans who have changed from pro-choice to pro-life, including former presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
“Consider the double standard at work here,” Romney said. “When a pro-life figure changes to pro-abortion, they get praised for their courage. But when someone becomes pro-life, the pundits go into high dudgeon.”
Romney’s remarks came two days after he was accused by rival presidential candidate John McCain of remaining pro-choice even after he had an epiphany in 2004 that turned him against abortion.
“Mitt Romney’s biggest challenge in this election will be convincing Republicans he has principled positions on important issues,” said McCain spokesman Matt David. “In stark contrast, John McCain has a consistent 24-year pro-life record.”
On Friday, Democratic National Committee spokesman Damien LaVera said Romney once “bragged about his pro-choice views,” but is now “going to have a hard time smooth talking conservative voters into ignoring his blatant pandering.”
Romney insisted his conversion is real.
“I know that it is not time but conviction that unites us,” he told the pro-lifers. “I am humbled to be standing among the many who have toiled for the pro-life movement for so long, when I arrived at this place of principle only a few years ago.”
