Anti-Abortion Group Presses Perry For Clarity

By Sean Sullivan  //  July 29, 2011 | 5:11 p.m.
Updated: July 29, 2011 | 7:17 p.m.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, saluting the crowd at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February, now is catching flak from conservatives over his abortion stance. (Chet Susslin)

The Susan B. Anthony List, an anti-abortion advocacy group, wants clarity from Texas Gov. Rick Perry, following comments the governor and possible presidential candidate made about deciding legality of abortion at the state level.

"You either have to believe in the 10th Amendment or you don't," Perry told reporters in Houston Wednesday, according to ABC News. "You can't believe in the 10th Amendment for a few issues and then [for] something that doesn't suit you say, 'We'd rather not have states decide that.'"

The group points out that Perry also said at a speech in Los Angeles last month that "somehow, the folks in Washington have forgotten, or chosen to ignore, the overriding responsibility of every government: to protect citizens at every stage in life, especially those who cannot protect themselves."

"Governor Perry has been a long time friend of the pro-life movement and we welcome and appreciate all the work he has done for women and unborn children as Governor," said Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. "We agree that certainly there is a lot that can be done at the state level to reduce the number of abortion, but that does not diminish or eliminate the federal government's responsibility to protect human life in all of its stages."

The group's questioning of Perry suggests the governor's federalist streak -- which makes him popular among many conservatives -- could at times create an uncomfortable dynamic when viewed in conjunction with certain social issues.

Perry's spokesman, meanwhile, defended his boss's record on the issue of abortion.

"[Perry] has a proven record of being solidly pro-life. He supports a constitutional amendment that would need to be ratified by Congress and the states, so there is a state component to that also," said Perry spokesman Mark Miner. Dannenfelser also said that if Perry decides to run, the organization is looking forward to him signing its Pro-Life Presidential Leadership Pledge, and also hopes he will clarify his remarks. "His signature on our pledge will be a welcome addition. We are also anticipating his clarification that if elected he will continue his fight for life at the national level."

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