Gauging Romney's shift on abortion

Activists who oppose abortion say they are pleased with what they call Governor Mitt Romney's shifting stance on the issue but say he will need to build a stronger record if he hopes to win their support for a possible run for the White House in 2008.

Romney has described himself as personally opposed to abortion but has said that, as governor, he would not change abortion laws in Massachusetts.

At the same time, he told USA Today last month that he is in a ''different place" than he was in 1994, when he ran against US Senator Edward M. Kennedy. During that race, Romney said he believed that abortion ''should be safe and legal in this country."

Last week, he was quoted in the National Review as saying, ''My political philosophy is prolife." The magazine, in a piece touting Romney's presidential prospects, also quoted Michael Murphy, a top Romney political adviser, saying the governor has been a ''prolife Mormon faking it as prochoice friendly."

The comments by Romney and Murphy have raised speculation that Romney may be moving away from his longstanding pledge to uphold state abortion laws.

''I'm very happy when I see people of high position coming around, and I think he is coming around," said Joseph M. Scheidler, national director of the Pro-Life Action League, a Chicago-based organization that claims 6,000 members. ''I think he doesn't really want to be identified as prochoice, as he used to be."

But Scheidler said Romney had yet to prove himself a reliable opponent of abortion rights. ''We're not fooled by somebody just saying they're prolife and they're leaving the abortion camp," he said. ''They have to be firm on it."

Daniel McConchie, director of public relations and public policy for Americans United For Life, a legal group based in Chicago, said Romney has gained support among supporters of ''life" issues through his opposition to certain types of human embryonic cloning for stem cell research. The Democrat-controlled Legislature has overwhelmingly supported such research.

''It has bolstered his credibility somewhat -- that he's willing to stand up to the Legislature," McConchie said. ''I think there are at least some people who are willing to take a second look at him."

McConchie said Romney would need to sign or push legislation to restrict abortion to win similar support on that issue from voters nationwide. ''Some people will probably still be pretty wary until he puts pen to paper on a bill," McConchie said.

He said politicians such as Governor Jeb Bush of Florida, whom people recognize for his efforts to prevent the removal of Terri Schiavo's feeding tube, and Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi, who signed numerous bills restricting abortion, ''are going to have greater appeal."

Romney, he said, will have a tough time matching their records, since Democrats control most of the seats in the Massachusetts Legislature.

''I think his greatest liability, other than having a varied history in the past, is being in a state where he's not going to be able to do a lot to back up his words," McConchie said.

Marie H. Sturgis, executive director of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, said Romney's comments had left her unsure where the governor stands on abortion rights.

''It's my sense that he may be evolving on this issue; what that means, I don't know," Sturgis said.

Eric Fehrnstrom, a Romney spokesman, said the governor has remained steadfast in his position.

''The governor said repeatedly when he ran for election in 2002 that he was opposed to abortion but that he would not seek to change the abortion laws of the Commonwealth," Fehrnstrom said. ''That was a promise that he made, and it's a promise that he's kept."

Romney could face a key test of his position if the Legislature advances a bill that would make it easier for women to obtain so-called morning-after emergency contraception, said Melissa Kogut, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts. Romney has not stated his position on the bill. ''His recent actions and words leave us concerned about his commitment to reproductive choice," Kogut said.

Peg Whitbread, president of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, said she sees signs that Romney is moving closer to opposing abortion. ''My personal perspective on this is that he's changing," Whitbread said.

''This may be a flag that is being run up as a sign for the future," she said. ''But actions speak louder than words. I think we've known too many so-called prolife politicians that have gotten into office and then abandoned ship."