Romney invokes Reagan in abortion switch

Governor Mitt Romney cited the change of heart by Ronald Reagan and a prominent former member of Congress in explaining his decision to oppose aborton rights to a National Review Online interviewer.

"I’m committed to promoting the culture of life. Like Ronald Reagan, and Henry Hyde, and others who became pro-life, I had this issue wrong in the past,'' Romney told NRO. (He has reached for the Reagan magic before.)

Romney was seen as a supporter of aborton rights in Massachusetts until he began readying for a run for president. An advisor later said he was "faking it.''

The full interview is here and the Globe story on his recent efforts to dodge most members of the press is here.

Romney's conservative stances are rattling around the blogs. Past stories on his positions have been among the most emailed recently among Boston.com readers. The pro Romney Evangelicals for Mitt praises him for a "compelling . . . conversion.'' Among the better known, the harshest comes from Andrew Sullivan, who rips Romney.

Writes Sullivan: "Romney was for gay equality before he was against it. He was for abortion rights before he was against them. He was for ending the gay ban in the military before he was against it. He was for employment non-discrimination before he was against it. And he was for domestic partnerships before he was against them. We learn two things: he's running. And he really is John Kerry's successor as a candidate from Massachusetts. He'll say anything and everything to get elected."

Kathryn Lopez, the interviewer, also asked Romney about the recent publicity over a 1994 letter he wrote vowing to support gay rights.

Said Romney: "These old interviews and stories have frequently been circulated by my opponents ever since I took a stand against the Massachusetts supreme-court ruling on same-sex marriage. This being the political season, it is not surprising this old news has appeared again. But I have made clear since 2003, when the supreme court of Massachusetts redefined marriage by fiat, that my unwavering advocacy for traditional marriage stands side by side with a tolerance and respect for all Americans.

"Like the vast majority of Americans, I’ve opposed same-sex marriage, but I’ve also opposed unjust discrimination against anyone, for racial or religious reasons, or for sexual preference. Americans are a tolerant, generous, and kind people. We all oppose bigotry and disparagement. But the debate over same-sex marriage is not a debate over tolerance. It is a debate about the purpose of the institution of marriage and it is a debate about activist judges who make up the law rather than interpret the law.

"I agree with 3,000 years of recorded history. I believe marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman and I have been rock solid in my support of traditional marriage. Marriage is first and foremost about nurturing and developing children. It’s unfortunate that those who choose to defend the institution of marriage are often demonized.''