Steele defends anti-abortion credentials

After his rather confusing interview with GQ that is getting a lot of attention in the liberal blogosphere, Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele issued this statement defending his anti-abortion rights credentials.

“I am pro-life, always have been, always will be. I tried to present why I am pro-life while recognizing that my mother had a ‘choice’ before deciding to put me up for adoption. I thank her every day for supporting life. The strength of the pro-life movement lies in choosing life and sharing the wisdom of that choice with those who face difficult circumstances. They did that for my mother and I am here today because they did. In my view Roe vs. Wade was wrongly decided and should be repealed. I realize that there are good people in our party who disagree with me on this issue.

“But the Republican Party is and will continue to be the party of life. I support our platform and its call for a Human Life Amendment. It is important that we stand up for the defenseless and that we continue to work to change the hearts and minds of our fellow countrymen so that we can welcome all children and protect them under the law.”

Looking at the interview again, the tension appears to come in Steele’s defense of “individual choice,” a term that is closely tied to abortion rights advocates, and his support of overturning Roe v. Wade. He does seem consistent, I think, in supporting leaving it up to the states to regulate.

Stay tuned, more to come on this.

jeremy.jacobs@digital-stage.thehill.com