Rick Perry Seeks to Take Advantage of Herman Cain’s Abortion Controversy

Texas Gov. Rick Perry is seeking to take advantage of recent mistakes by Herman Cain, particularly the controversy over Cain’s muddled remarks on abortion. At the Iowa Faith and Family Forum over the weekend, Perry made clear his unequivocal support for the Pro-Life Movement:

WASHINGTON POST: . . . Cain’s rise in the polls — and his comments to CNN that put his position against abortion in doubt — made him a target on the stage. Texas Gov. Rick Perry took a swipe at him, although he did not refer directly to the interview, in which Cain said that families should be able to abort a pregnancy in instances of incest and rape.

“It is a liberal canard to say, ‘I am personally pro-life, but government should stay out of that decision,’ ” Perry said. “That is not pro-life. That is pro-having-your-cake-and-eating-it-too.”

In his remarks here, Cain reaffirmed his opposition to abortion, saying he thought the procedure should be declared “illegal across this country” and pledging not to sign any legislation granting government funds for abortions. . . . “Being pro-life is not a matter of campaign convenience. It is a core conviction,” Perry said, drawing a contrast not only with Cain but also with Romney, who says he opposes abortion rights but who had supported them earlier in his political career. . . . Read More