GOP Chair Candidates Priebus, Anuzis, Collins: We’re Pro-Life

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Dec 22, 2010   |   7:49PM   |   Washington, DC

Three of the candidates for the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee have said in new interviews that they take a pro-life position on abortion.

Former Michigan state GOP chairman Saul Anuzis, Wisconsin Republican Chairman Reince Priebus, and former Republican Party political director Gentry Collins answered questions from Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of the Susan B. Anthony List, in Skype interviews.

All three promised to uphold the Republican Party’s stance supporting a human life amendment and opposing abortion, according to a Politico report:

“I believe, absolutely, that life begins at the moments of conception,” Priebus declared during his conversation with the two social conservative leaders. “It’s a core principle of mine.”

“If I was to be elected chairman of the RNC that would be something that I would have an even bigger obligation to uphold the position I have on abortion. And I think it would be a huge disappointment to God if I didn’t,” Priebus pledged, frequently evoking his faith in his answers.

Priebus went, perhaps, the farthest in stating his responsibility as chairman to oppose abortion rights.

Collins used the question to pivot to his criticism of Steele, arguing that a stronger RNC will be better able to support anti-abortion candidates. And Anuzis pointed to his past support of anti-abortion groups during his time as chairman of the Michigan Republican Party.

Dannenfelser also asked each of the candidates if he had contributed to a “pro-choice organization.” All three said they had not.

“Never, and I never would,” Collins responded.

In announcing the interviews, Dannenfelser emailed LifeNews.com:

As part of the vetting process leading up to the debate, I’ve been interviewing many of the RNC candidates to find out about their views on Life. So far I have interviewed Saul Anuzis, Gentry Collins, and Reince Priebus over Skype.

The SBA List mission continues to be working to save unborn lives and protect women from the horror of abortion. As part of that mission to influence pro-life politics at every angle, it is critical that we do all we can to ensure that the next RNC Chair is pro-life.
 
The Chairman must be able to articulate the pro-life message, and be ready to work with the pro-life movement and its leaders to advance pro-life laws.

The comments come on the same day as pro-life attorney Jim Bopp, a prominent conservative on the RNC, endorsed Priebus and the SBA list announced it was working to get people to ask pro-life questions in the debate coming up before next month’s vote.

Former Missouri GOP Chair Ann Wagner, Republican communications strategist Maria Cino and the current chairman, Michael Steele, are also in the running.