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NRL News
Romney
Withdrawal Shakes Up Presidential Contest As NRL News went to press, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney announced he was withdrawing from the race to be the Republican Party’s presidential nominee. Equal parts unexpected and dramatic, Romney told an audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference February 7, “If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that [Democrats] Sen. Clinton or Obama would win.” Romney’s surprise withdrawal leaves three remaining GOPers: Sen. John McCain, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, and Rep. Ron Paul (Tx.). Romney’s announcement came just two days after a disappointing showing on “Super Tuesday.” McCain carried nine states on February 5, Romney won seven, and Huckabee finished first in five states. The contours of the media coverage changed when Sen. McCain was able to carry large winner-take-all states such as New York, Missouri, and Illinois. McCain won six of the eight winner-take-all states, and in the process gained 312 delegates. But Missouri illustrated just how competitive the contest was and could remain. McCain prevailed with 32% of the vote while Huckabee was only one percentage point back and Romney three. It was that close. (Pro-abortion Sen. Barack Obama carried the state by the same 1% margin on the Democratic side over pro-abortion Sen. Hillary Clinton.) Following Super Tuesday, McCain had 720 delegates, Romney 279, and Huckabee 194. Thompson Withdrawal NRLC-endorsed pro-life former Senator Fred Thompson bowed out following the January 19 South Carolina primary. In response National Right to Life said it would “always be grateful for the strong pro-life record on all of the life issues Fred Thompson established as a U.S. senator, and for the strong pro-life position he has taken throughout his political career. Fred Thompson conducted his campaign with integrity and honor, and NRLC knows that America will be well served by him in any future public role he is called upon to fill.” After Sen. Thompson’s withdrawal, with primaries and caucuses coming fast and furious, National Right to Life issued an updated statement on the Republican presidential candidates. NRL expressed gratitude “for the strong pro-life record established by Mike Huckabee as governor of Arkansas, and recognizes that Governor Huckabee has taken the strongest pro-life position on all of the life issues of any of the remaining candidates for president.” Likewise, National Right to Life is “also grateful for the strong pro-life voting record on abortion of Senator John McCain. NRL appreciates the pro-life position he has taken in his Senate campaigns and in this presidential campaign.” Prior to Romney’s withdrawal NRL said that it “appreciates the pro-life position taken in this presidential campaign by former governor Mitt Romney.” NRL expressed gratitude for Congressman Paul’s “vote to ban partial-birth abortions,” noting that Rep. Paul opposed a number of major pieces of pro-life legislation, including the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act (CIANA), and the Human Cloning Prohibition Act. “Super Tuesday,” promoted as a likely turning point in the campaign, left pro-abortion Democratic senators Clinton (NY) and Obama (Il.) in a virtual statistical tie in the all-important race for delegates. Among Democrats, there was no “knockout” on Super Tuesday. The results were more like a split decision on a day that featured the most nominating contests ever held on a single day. Obama carried 13 states and Clinton 9. On pages 14 & 15 you will an updated comparison of both the GOP and Democratic presidential contenders on issues of crucial importance to pro-lifers. NRL News will keep you updated on further developments. For a daily update, please go to “Today’s News & Views,” which is found at www.nrlc.org. |