The Democratic National Committee has produced a new ad spotlighting GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s support for a constitutional “personhood” amendment.
The measure, which defines life as beginning at conception, has been proposed in Mississippi and five other states. Supporters of the amendment say that it will outlaw abortion and other forms of “human cannibalism” such as human cloning and embryonic stem-cell research.
However, opponents of the measure argue that it would restrict a woman’s right to choose and would endanger the lives of women who experience health complications during their pregnancy, or become pregnant as a result of rape or incest.
In an interview with Fox News’ Mike Huckabee — a one-time Republican candidate for president himself, Romney was asked whether he’d support the amendment. Romney’s response was “absolutely.”
The DNC pounced on the soundbite, juxtaposing it with soundbites from opponents in Mississippi who voice their concerns about the measure.
“Mitt has an uncanny ability to change course depending on the day, so we put together a video to show exactly where he stands on a woman’s right to choose — whether she’s choosing emergency contraception, or to save her own life,” said DNC Executive Director Patrick Gaspard. “This is the most radical position any of the Republican candidates have taken on this issue, and may be the most radical position any of them have taken on any substantive issue in the race for the nomination so far.”
Later during the interview, Romney told Huckabee that he believes the Supreme Court’s landmark Roe v. Wade decision should be reversed, and that states should be allowed to individually regulate abortion. Should any one state vote to pass the “personhood” amendment, it would force the Court to revisit the case.
The amendment is set to be voted on by Mississippi voters this coming Tuesday.