Romney Pro-Life VP Pledge Would Preclude Condoleezza Rice

Politics   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Jul 13, 2012   |   9:54AM   |   Washington, DC

Although the media speculation today, led by the Drudge Report, points to Condoleezza Rice as the “frontrunner” among the various elected officials and political leaders Mitt Romney may consider as VP, a pledge he made makes that look unlikely.

Ultimately, Romney will not likely select Rice as his running mate, despite the media hoopla today — as he has pledged to select a pro-life running mate.

During a 2011 presidential candidate forum in South Carolina, Romney made a pledge to only select a running mate who hared his pro-life views on abortion.

Moderator: Governor Romney, will the person you chose as your vice presidential running mate be someone who shares your pro-life and pro-marriage convictions?

Romney: I certainly imagine so, I haven’t made and selections in that regard…[as I look around at the people I would consider] I would expect that they would all be pro-life and pro-traditional marriage…but this is an important enough issue that the person that I would select in that position would share my views on those important issues.

Host: So more than just expectation – would share those views?

Romney: Yes.. that person would share my views, yeah.

Moreover, Romney talked with Weekly Standard reporter John McCormack about a vice-presidential selection in March and renewed his commitment to a pro-life running mate.

Romney: “I don’t have a list at this stage. I haven’t put together a list. I haven’t done any thinking about a VP contender at this point. I would anticipate that whoever our nominee is would start with a very long list because frankly we have quite a group of people who have the skill and the credibility to be viable members of a national ticket. So he asked me about a couple of names but there are – I don’t have to tell you this – there’s a long list of very capable folks, including people who’ve run this cycle.”

TWS: “Would anyone on that list be pro-choice?”

Romney: “No.”

CLICK LIKE IF YOU’RE PRO-LIFE!

 

After the interview, McCormack wrote: “Romney’s last point rules out (very, very) long shots like Rudy Giuliani and perennial mention Tom Ridge. But it would also eliminate Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval, who has been the subject of some recent running mate chatter.”

It would also rule out Rice, who has described herself repeatedly as supported legalized abortion.

In response to reports that the Romney campaign may be considering former Secretary Condoleezza Rice as a potential running mate, Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said: “Former Secretary Rice’s position on the sanctity of human life makes her an unqualified candidate for Governor Romney to choose as a running mate. Throughout the campaign, including at the Palmetto Freedom Forum last September, he has pledged to us in no uncertain terms that he would choose a pro-life running mate. We have taken Governor Romney at his word and therefore believe Secretary Rice will be ruled out of consideration. Secretary Rice’s position violates criteria that Governor Romney himself has laid out.”