Romney Advisor Explains Human Life Amendment Support to Brody File
November 26, 2007
I've been hearing from a lot of confused people about how Mitt Romney can support a Human Life Amendment yet at the same time support a state's right to make their own decision on abortion. They believe it's a contradiction. It has confused some people and the Fred Thompson crowd thinks Romney's "states rights" position is exactly the same as Thompson's.
So what's the difference? James Bopp, Mitt Romney's advisor on the life issue tells The Brody File the following:
"Mitt Romney supports a human life amendment when it is possible and what he is saying is that it is not possible right now but what is possible is reversing Roe vs Wade."
He wants Roe v Wade overturned so that states will be able to protect innocent human life and when there is a sufficient consensus for a human life amendment then he wants to see a human life amendment. What he has said is that it is a two step process. The first step is reversal of roe v wade which will have the effect of returning it to the states. The human life amendment is the aspirational goal and when the consensus arises to accomplish that that would be the final step."
"The difference between Thompson and Romney is that Thompson said that he opposes a human life amendment period. Forevermore he would oppose a human life amendment because it violates his view of federalism. That's not what Romney says. The principles difference is that Thompson is placing federalism as the trump card and that Romney is placing protection of unborn life as the trump card."
Well, I needed a little more clarification because during this presidential race, Romney has said the following:
"What I am calling for is for states to have their choice.Not a one size fits all decision by the federal government.
"My view is not to impose a single federal rule on the entire nation -- a one-size-fits-all approach -- but instead allow states to make their own decisions in this regard."
"I am not calling for a nationwide ban of abortion. What I am calling for is for states to have their choice."
So I asked Bopp the following:
Brody: So then, principally Mitt Romney would be ok with a one size fits all approach if the country were ready for it?
Bopp: Yes. When there are the votes to get the job done…In order to get an amendment three fourths of the states have to ratify the amendment so being in favor of a human life amendment is consistent with a federalism approach because in fact our amendment process respects federalism by giving the states the predominant role in deciding constitutional amendments. So if three fourths of the states want an amendment to the constitution that does respect federalism."
And folks, there you have it. You can see the logic. It may not satisfy Romney's critics but this is the thought process.
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