Perry Promises to Name Pro-Life Advocate as Vice President

Politics   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Aug 31, 2011   |   12:09PM   |   Washington, DC

Texas governor Rick Perry has quickly vaulted to the top of the Republican presidential race and he now faces questions from pro-life advocates about what he would do as president. One news report says Perry has answered one question by saying he would name a pro-life Vice President.

A pro-life vice president is important for any presidential administration, as pro-abortion Vice President Joe Biden reconfirmed recently when he failed to condemn the forced abortions and other human rights abuses associated with the one-child policy in China.

Paul Bedard of U.S. News and World Report indicates Perry addressed the question of a potential running mate at a weekend event in Texas, where more than 200 conservative and pro-life advocates gathered.

“At a weekend Texas gathering of about 200 conservative leaders, some from Washington, Perry and his wife Anita portrayed themselves as authentic and life-long conservatives who could bring the most pro-life administration ever to Washington,” Bardard reports. “Key among the questions Perry fielded was who he would pick as a vice presidential candidate if he wins the nomination. Perry is an ally of Giuliani and endorsed him for president during the 2008 GOP primaries. At the time, he cited the former New York City mayor’s ability to pull the city together after the 9/11 attacks.”

Perry recently signed the Susan B. Anthony List pledge indicating he would press for pro-life legislation to de-fund abortion and the Planned Parenthood abortion business and, with regard to a Vice President, appoint pro-life advocates to key administration positions where abortion policy would be affected. Bedard indicates the attendees at the event said Perry followed up on that point.

“Some of those at the weekend conclave said Perry promised to stick to the pledge when considering a vice president and they left believing that meant Giuliani is out of the picture,” he reported.

U.S. News also indicated Anita Perry, the governor’s wife, assured pro-life advocates that the potential First Lady shares the pro-life values of her White House-seeking husband — something which wasn’t the case despite the pro-life accomplishments of Presidents Ronald Reagan, George Bush, and George W. Bush.

“At one point, Anita Perry was also asked some questions. One pointed questioner said that in the past, conservatives have been surprised to find out that wives of presidents don’t share their pro-life values. Anita Perry cast aside any concerns when she passionately said that she shares her husbands values and stands on key issues like gay marriage and abortion,” Bedard reported.

Meanwhile, looking ahead to a potential Perry presidency, spokesman Mark Miner said Perry would work to ensure no federal funds pay for abortions, would stop “the more than $300 million that currently flows to Planned Parenthood,” and would “only appoint judges who respect the Constitution.”

Perry has been given high marks by pro-life groups in Texas and both Texas Right to Life and Texas Alliance for Life have given him high grades for his lengthy record pushing for and signing pro-life legislation. “Gov. Perry has a wonderful pro-life record,” National Right to Life President Carol Tobias has said.

Perry, who has spoken out repeatedly when it comes to pro-life issues, has said: “We can’t afford to give up the good fight until the day Roe v. Wade is nothing but a shameful footnote in our nation’s history books.”

The comments, the legislative record of pro-life accomplishments in Texas, and the promises of pro-life actions if elected president have helped Perry secure strong support from many pro-life voters. He still must secure the Republican nomination and he faces other staunch pro-life advocates like Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul and others. Mitt Romney is also running as a pro-life candidate and is one of the top-tier competitions.