Republican Candidate Ron Paul Says He Supports State Pro-Life Ballot Proposals 
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 27, 2007
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul said on Thursday that he back the efforts by pro-life advocates in several states to get personhood amendments on the 2008 state ballot that would legally define the beginning of human life at conception. Such measures could end up prohibiting all or most abortions and protect unborn children from harmful scientific research.
LifeNews.com has previously profiled campaigns for personhood bills or ballot measures in Colorado and Georgia. Pro-life advocates are also trying a second abortion ban in South Dakota.
Paul, a pro-life Texas congressman and an OBGYN who was a flight surgeon in the military, said he supported these pro-life efforts.
"The right of an innocent, unborn child to life is at the heart of the American ideals of liberty," he said. "My professional and legislative record demonstrates my strong commitment to this pro-life principle."
In the statement sent to LifeNews.com, Paul restated his belief that these state-level measure were more appropriate ways to combat abortion since he doesn’t think they should be addressed on the federal level.
"Under our Constitution, the states have the duty to protect citizens against murder, and protecting the unborn from having their right to life violated is no exception," he said.
Paul indicated he would fight to make sure state abortions ban are upheld.
"I find it unconscionable that the Supreme Court overrules states when they pass pro-life legislation. As president, I will fight to end this judicial tyranny," he said.
The presidential candidate says he’s the strongest one when it comes to the abortion issue and he discussed legislation he’s put forward in Congress that has never received a debate or vote.
"Many talk about being pro-life. In Congress, I am the lead sponsor of HR 2597 the ‘Sanctity of Life Act’ and a similar bill, HR 300 the ‘We the People Act,’" he explained. "Both bills would negate the effect of Roe v Wade by removing the ability of federal courts to interfere with state legislation that protects life. My bills could pass by a simple majority vote and allow states such as Michigan and South Carolina to end abortion immediately."
Paul concluded saying, "I challenge every candidate who claims to be pro life to support these bills to get the Supreme Court out of the life issue so states can quickly and constitutionally protect the unborn."
