In a FOX interview Sunday with Chris Wallace, Romney explained that women should support him because of the health insurance law he passed in Massachusetts. He is referring to Romneycare and yet, he promises that if he wins the election, he will repeal Obama’s Affordable Care Act—modeled after Romneycare—his first day in office.
Romney responded to Wallace’s question about why women should vote for him in relation to Todd Akin’s (R-MO) recent comment that women have a natural defense against pregnancy after a “Legitimate rape.”
Romney:“Look, I am the guy that was able to get health care for all of the women—and men—in my state. There was talking about it at the federal level. We did something.”
Wallace: “So, you’re saying look at Romneycare?”
Romney:“Absolutely. I’m very proud of what we did, and the fact that we helped women and men and children in my state. And then with regards to contraceptives, of course Republicans and myself in particular recognize that people should have a right to use contraceptives. There is absolutely no validity whatsoever to the Obama effort and (sic) try and bring that up. And with regards to the issue of abortion, that is something where men and women have alternative views on that or different views.”
Earlier in his career, Romney stated openly that he was pro-choice and that women had the right to make their own decisions about terminating a pregnancy. As a presidential candidate, eager to say anything to get elected, he’s fallen victim to the extreme right’s Tea Party agenda and now claims he is against the right to choose and plans to overturn Roe v. Wade. He has also stated that he would de-fund Planned Parenthood—making it extremely difficult for impoverished women and those temporarily without health insurance—to get reliable, preventive care.
By choosing Tea Party darling Paul Ryan as his VP pick, he’s solidified his anti-women stance. Ryan partnered with Akin on a “Personhood” bill that would outlaw abortion and birth control. Ryan also voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Par Act.
Romney will say anything to win, including misleading voters by frequently changing his stance on any given issue.
If you are a woman or a man who supports women, your choice is clear. Obama has proved that he will not repeal the right to choose, he has made it easier for women to get affordable healthcare and is focused on changing the laws when it pertains to equality for women and for all.
20 million women DID NOT VOTE in 2008. Let’s change that.
Vote.
Kimberley A. Johnson is the author of The Virgin Diaries and The Spokeswoman for Rock The Slut Vote, an organization standing up and fighting the war on women. Find her on Facebook, Twitter and “like” the Rock The Slut Vote Facebook page
