Santorum labels Cain 'pro-choice,' Cain rebuts
(CNN) - Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum on Thursday seized on what he called "pro-choice" comments by rival Herman Cain on CNN.
The accusation elicited a Twitter response from Cain who wrote, "I'm 100% pro-life. End of story."
During an interview Wednesday with CNN's Piers Morgan, Cain stated his pro-life stance, even in cases of rape or incest.
"I believe that life begins at conception. And abortion under no circumstances," Cain said.
But when Morgan asked how he would feel if a member of his family were raped and if he would want that family member to raise the child, Cain said it is "not the government's role or anybody else's role to make that decision."
"So what I'm saying is it ultimately gets down to a choice that that family or that mother has to make. Not me as president, not some politician, not a bureaucrat," Cain said. "It gets down to the family and whatever they decide, they decide. I shouldn't have to tell them what decision to make for such a sensitive issue."
"The government shouldn't be trying to tell people everything to do, especially when it comes to social decision that they need to make," Cain continued.
It was unclear if Cain, in his response, was referring to abortion or one's decision to raise a child.
The socially conservative Santorum pointed to Cain's comments to paint the former Godfather's Pizza CEO as a candidate who believes "abortion is a decision for the individual," and even compared his views to those of Democratic Sen. John Kerry and President Barack Obama.
"Herman Cain said that he believes life begins at conception, but that it's up to the individual to decide whether or not to terminate that life," Santorum, the former Pennsylvania senator, said in a statement. "And I find it gravely troubling that Herman believes it's a life, but that he doesn't consider it a life worth fighting for."
"You cannot be both personally against abortion while condoning it – you can't have it both ways. We must defend the defenseless, period," Santorum concluded.
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These anti-women pro-lifers are a sad bunch. They feel justified to use the government to force women to have unwanted children because their own personal interpretation of their religion of choice. But after this child is born they accept no responsibility for their part in forcing the mother to have the child.
That is pure evil.
Santorum is just desperate. Even I, a liberal pro-choice Democrat who thinks Cain is totally unqualified to be president, can see his answer related to raising the child.
I don't like either guy, but Santorum is correct about Herman Cain's statement. Cain just gave the pro-choice position – government should not tell us women or families how to make the decision. Cain is pro-choice because he doesn't even understand what the pro-life position is.
Mr. Cain is caught in another gaff. I've heard it said that Mr. Cain makes it up as he goes along. I do not want to believe that.
Pro-Life, eh? How about the Death Sentance? Cain's 999 tax plan will further impoverish the poor and middle class- likely leading to preventable deaths. Remember: When the GOP/TP says they are pro-life, they don't mean that for anyone post-birth, and they don't mena for you!
"He's prochoice" as if this carries some stigma. Most Americans are pro choice. and we will not choose you to be president.
People with an agenda are purposely taking Herman's quote out of context.
MORGAN: If one of your female children, grand children was raped, YOU WOULD HONESTLY WANT HER TO BRING UP THAT BABY AS HER OWN?
CAIN: You're mixing two things here, Piers... No, it comes down to its not the government’s role or anybody else’s role to make that decision.
OBVIOUSLY, Herman was responding to rape victims being forced to raise these children as their own! I guess Piers has never heard of adoption. Does a baby conceived through rape deserve the punishment of death? Do your own research, people! The mainstream media is trying to shape this election. Don't allow them!
Santorum is dishonest, losing, and so desperate, he would say anything to get a leg up, on his opposition.
Ricky time to abort your campaign