The magic word

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Jun 03, 2005

The question is whether Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, a potential Republican candidate the White House ins 2008, has been "faking it" by posing as a "candidate" in Massachusetts, where the (mostly Catholic) electorate demands support for unrestricted legal abortion.

A former campaign consultant told National Review that Romney is "a pro-life Mormon faking it as a pro-choice friendly." Thanks, pal.

But Republican National Committee member Ron Kaufman, a stalwart Romney supporter, sees no fakery. Romney has been consistent, and kept his word, Kaufman told the Boston Globe. During the campaign Romney promised that he "wouldn't change one comma on the laws surrounding life," and he hasn't.

Wait a minute! Hold it right there! The laws surrounding life?!? Did Kaufman really use that word, in a discussion of abortion? Did the Globe really print it?

Hey, look; Romney's position on abortion is clear. He has not acted on the issue, nor will he act. He will say whatever is necessary to please the greatest number of voters. He isn't "faking" anything; his insincerity is genuine. That's not the point. The point is that a GOP strategist said, and the Globe reported, that the issue of abortion involves life.