OK. Now I’m officially worried. There’s no way to listen to Herman Cain in this clip without thinking Herman Cain is pro-choice. Now I actually believe he is pro-life but this is enough to really worry me in many respects. It puts a question in my head whether, if Cain becomes President, when push comes to shove is he willing to go the mattresses on abortion.
But if I’m to ignore this crazy comment about leaving that “choice” to the mother, then I have to add this to the list of crazy comments that Cain’s had to walk back recently. And if you ask me, the room where we put all of Cain’s wacky comments so we can ignore them is getting a little crowded.
Tina Korbe at Hot Air points out that this isn’t the only time Cain has said something like “that’s her choice” in a television interview.
To me, Cain’s either not really pro-life or he’s not ready for prime time. I’m not sure I see another view of this. I want to. I honestly do but I’m just not seeing it.
October 20, 2011 at 5:54 pm
He basically said: I am certain of the absolute truth…but I wouldn't want to force my views on anyone else.
Mr. Cain just took a nose-dive in at least one poll – mine.
October 20, 2011 at 6:03 pm
Yikes!
What a bummer. I think that he is basically saying that he is totally pro-life, with no exceptions, BUT…. that he doesn't want to have to DEAL with the issue at all as President.
i think it is a "not ready for prime time issue". He thought his answer might suffice without thinking through the ramifications – that he would actually have to fight some battles.
Too bad. I hope that he clarifies exactly what he thinks his role might be as President on this issue. Either way…he did just loose some points w/ me as well.
October 20, 2011 at 7:54 pm
If you wouldn't give Governor Daniels a pass with his strong record of pro-life legislation and accomplishments, you can't give Cain a pass either.
I think this is actually WORSE since he has no record and we have to take his word for it, and his word is basically equivelant to that of a lot of Dems who are politically in favor but personally opposed.
October 20, 2011 at 8:27 pm
In these two important questions, Santorum has the best and only possible answers for Christians.
October 20, 2011 at 8:36 pm
He may not go the mattress when push comes to shove if he is having equivocations now. (I like the Godfather too.) But he is still better than Mitt who is without a doubt a pro-abort and much better than Obama is a booster of PP.
Better to face the devil that you don't know than the one that you do. Then again, don't we have any angels around – Perry, Rubio, Bachmann?
October 20, 2011 at 8:39 pm
What a minute Rick – Now I am not a Mitt fan here, but you can't go saying that he is "without a doubt a pro-abort" etc. I have to say that I doubt it very much. I think Romney is pro-life. I do believe that he changes his position mostly for political reasons – so, no, I don't like that. But – he says the he is pro-life now and that he would act that way as President. I believe him, but have some doubts. I certainly wouldn't say that the other way around.
October 20, 2011 at 8:40 pm
I think these comments / walk backs are part of the package with a non-politiician. Being a non- politian is a big plus imo, but he will have to be better in these situations. I think there will be more clarity on the abortion issue going forward. Stay tuned, I guess.( Santorum is my favorite, but no traction, no money, no organization= no nomination.)
October 20, 2011 at 10:04 pm
He's through. Next candidate please.
October 20, 2011 at 10:15 pm
"I'm entirely pro-life, and life begins at conception. No abortion, no exceptions."
"So you want your raped granddaughter to be forced to raise a child of rape?"
"You're trying to confuse the issue. That is none of the government's business, and is up to the family."
Apparently, he was successful in conflating "not killing baby" and "raising the baby."
October 20, 2011 at 10:34 pm
I agree with Foxfier: this may just be a careless answer to an ambiguous question. He is most likely saying that he would leave it up to the family to decide whether to raise the child. The question, after all, was whether they should be "forced to raise a child of rape."
Cain needs to be able to sniff out these traps and stay on message. Just ignore the question and keep repeating: "Let me be clear: abortion should be illegal" until the interviewer decides to move on.
October 20, 2011 at 11:25 pm
I think he is trying to say not the fed but the states.
October 20, 2011 at 11:49 pm
Although I think Santorum has the best guiding principles, and actually uses these objectively true principles when analyzing and voting on legislation…. I dont see him as being any more electable than Ron Paul.
Santorum is a great guy, but he makes me cringe when he whines at the podium like a little kid who's lunch money was taken away. He seriously needs more poise and tact. They are learnable traits. But I think he is killing his own campaign in these debates.
PS Does anyone else get nausea from listening to Huntsman's inauthenticity? Uggggh..
October 21, 2011 at 2:12 am
Mr. Cain was SET UP by an unscrupulous interviewer masquerading as a journalist.
October 21, 2011 at 2:28 am
Sigh. For the vigintillionth time.
The question is not, "Is Cain perfect?", but "Is he better than Obama?"
Cain would not have direct control over abortion policy, anyway, the courts and congress would, and Cain would appoint pro-life justices and veto pro-abort bills. If you prefer that to Obama, you vote for Cain.
While one cannot support the "lesser of two evils", one also cannot make the perfect the enemy of the good.
October 21, 2011 at 3:56 am
I just read his explanation at LifeNews. Thoughts?
http://www.lifenews.com/2011/10/20/cain-releases-clarifying-statement-im-pro-life-on-abortion/
October 21, 2011 at 4:37 am
The question is not, "Is Cain perfect?", but "Is he better than Obama?"
Sorry, but my little four month old who is crying right now would probably make a better president. We don't have to settle for merely better than Obama. The fact that Cain can't answer a straight question without having to later clarify or backtrack signifies that he just might not be the person we're looking for.
October 21, 2011 at 4:52 am
Herman Cain's clarification:
I understood the thrust of the question to ask whether that I, as president, would simply “order” people to not seek an abortion.
My answer was focused on the role of the President. The President has no constitutional authority to order any such action by anyone. That was the point I was trying to convey.
As to my political policy view on abortion, I am 100% pro-life. End of story.
I will appoint judges who understand the original intent of the Constitution. Judges who are committed to the rule of law know that the Constitution contains no right to take the life of unborn children.
I will oppose government funding of abortion. I will veto any legislation that contains funds for Planned Parenthood. I will do everything that a President can do, consistent with his constitutional role, to advance the culture of life
October 21, 2011 at 6:05 am
Perhaps I missed the nuance that Cain intended but I'm pretty sure that he just made it clear that he is Mario Cuomo's political descendant. And he's not even Catholic. His 999 tax plan also eliminates the family friendly tax help for those with children. Can't vote for a pro-choice law maker who says he thinks abortion is wrong, but not murder AND wants to raise taxes on working families.
October 21, 2011 at 6:14 am
Where did he say it's not murder?
I'm willing to give up the deductions and credits we get for having kids if it means lower overall taxes and less micromanaging of life choices.
October 21, 2011 at 12:47 pm
I disagree with Foxfier's kinder assessment of Cain's abortion rhetoric, but she's right about the tax issue. Net net, I'd live with the elimination of these tax credits if I had a lower overall tax rate.