Romney-Ryan Ticket Spends the Day** Before the VP Debate Discussing their Abortion Stance

From the Obama Campaign comes a round-up of all the unflattering coverage of Mitt’s jitterbug over abortion policy, first raised in a conversation yesterday with the editorial board of the Des Moines Register (covered earlier by me in Mitt’s Serial Dishonesty, this Time on Abortion & Women’s Health). While the Repub campaign spent the day assuring religious conservatives that he remains firmly anti-choice, DEMs pointed out for the benefit of all voters just how destructive a Romney presidency would be for women’s health and women’s freedom. I bet this is going to come up in the Biden-Ryan debate tomorrow night, because of the really extreme legislation that Paul Ryan has co-sponsored in the House, including bills with the odious Todd Akin, Mr. “Legitimate Rape,” who made himself notorious by expressing his belief that women supposedly lie about being raped, to give them access to abortion. Here’s that extensive round-up from the Obama team, with many examples of Mitt being called out for his false moderation, with links and headlines.

The Reviews Are In: Mitt Romney’s Abortion Dishonesty Gambit Backfired

Just four weeks before the election, Mitt Romney thought he could pull the wool over women’s eyes by not telling the truth about his extreme anti-choice agenda. But his gambit backfired and, in the process, Romney reminded women across America about his extreme positions:

Associated Press: “A day after Mitt Romney downplayed his plans to fight abortion, social conservatives on Wednesday offered the Republican presidential nominee a not-so-subtle reminder of his pledge to do ‘everything in my power to cultivate, promote, and support a culture of life in America.’”

New York Times: “Perhaps Mr. Romney just meant he did not know of any specific bills that would restrict abortion. But he might want to check in with his running mate, Paul Ryan, who co-sponsored the ‘No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act,’ and helped introduced the term ‘forcible rape’ into the national conversation.”

Politico: “For the third time in a week, Mitt Romney has taken a prominent U-turn on something that’s supposed to be a matter of fundamental principles.”

Talking Points Memo: “Perkins said the Romney campaign called him soon after Romney’s remarks were published by the Des Moines Register and assured him it didn’t represent a shift by Romney from his support for pro-life issues.”

Huffington Post: “‘I have looked him in the eye and talked about this issue, [and] I absolutely believe in my heart and know that he is personally committed to a pro-life agenda as president,’ [Governor Chris] Christie said. ‘If you trust me on this issue … I know what his agenda is. I know what he believes. I know that he stands for a strong pro-life agenda.’”

The Fix ‏@TheFix So Romney and Ryan have spent the entire day before the VP debate talking about the ticket’s abortion position? http://ow.ly/enzfc **

Robin Abcarian ‏@robinabcarian At stop in FLA, Ryan says no daylight between his position on abortion and Mitt Romney’s. Ryan supports personhood and rape redefinition.

Josh Marshall ‏@joshtpm Just last year Mitt pledged to ‘advocate & support’ law banning many abortions. http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/269984/my-pro-life-pledge-mitt-romney …

Joy Reid ‏@TheReidReport Unreal. Un… Real …. Romney Reiterates: ‘I’m A Pro-Life Candidate’ http://huff.to/T65wuv via @HuffPostPol

A sampling of today’s headlines:

NBC: Romney vows to be ‘a pro-life president’ after newspaper interview

Associated Press: Conservatives remind Romney of abortion pledge

LA Times: Romney says abortion stance unchanged, that he remains ‘pro-life’

Washington Post: Romney: ‘I’ll be a pro-life president’

Columbus Dispatch: Romney says he will be pro-life president

Des Moines Register: Decoding Mitt Romney’s stance on abortion

ABC: Ryan Denies Romney’s Position on Abortion Has Changed

NBC: Jindal, McDonnell defend Romney’s abortion remarks

New York Times: Romney’s Confusing Abortion Comment