Herman Cain: Positively Pro-Life

Positively Pro-Life

The past twenty-four hours were a whirlwind of controversy for Herman Cain, as statements  he made on Piers Morgan's CNN show appeared to suggest that he was pro-choice.

While that may not have been a great interview, and his words could have been chosen with more clarity, the accusation that Cain is pro-choice or a waffler on the issue is completely incorrect.

Here's an easy 1-2-3 on why I know that Herman Cain is pro-life:

First of all, here's the statement that Cain issued yesterday:

Cain's View on Abortion Policy 

"Yesterday in an interview with Piers Morgan on CNN, I was asked questions about abortion policy and the role of the President.

I understood the thrust of the question to ask whether that I, as president, would simply "order" people to not seek an abortion. 

My answer was focused on the role of the President. The President has no constitutional authority to order any such action by anyone. That was the point I was trying to convey. 

As to my political policy view on abortion, I am 100% pro-life. End of story. 

I will appoint judges that understand the original intent of the Constitution. Judges who are committed to originalism know that the Constitution contains no right to take the life of unborn children. 

I will oppose government funding of abortion. I will veto any legislation that contains funds for Planned Parenthood. I will do everything that a President can do, consistent with his constitutional role, to advance the culture of life." 

Herman Cain -

Regardless of the lack of clarity in his answer to Morgan, the above statement is quite clear, and reflects perfectly how Cain has expressed his position on abortion for years.

Which brings me to my second point: Cain has been a strong and outspoken advocate for the pro-life cause for years, literally putting his money where his mouth is, spending a million dollars of his own money to fund an advertising campaign to urge black voters to support pro-life candidates in 2006.

This past March, Cain invoked howls of outrage from the left when he (correctly) pointed out how Planned Parenthood locates its clinics in poor and black neighborhoods, and how the objective of Planned Parenthood's founder, Margaret Sanger, was to reduce the number of black babies being born. Cain has repeatedly and enthusiastically stated that life begins at conception, as he did earlier this month at the Value Voters Summit:


Herman Cain at Value Voters Summit

You can search for yourself on YouTube and find many, many speeches where Cain is advocating for life. Ask yourself: what makes more sense? Years and years of articles quoting Cain and videos of speeches where he is passionately and eloquently discussing his pro-life beliefs, or one admittedly less-than-clear answer in one interview?

Third, and last of all, I know Herman Cain is pro-life because I know Herman Cain. Last month at CPAC Florida, I was lucky to accompany State Representative Scott Plakon and his wife Susie when they went to meet with Cain to discuss a possible endorsement. The pro-life issue is a litmus test and a deal-breaker for Plakon, and it was one of the first issues that the two of them discussed. I also had an opportunity to talk with Cain about this, and tell him my story.


I am adopted. Because I was born after Roe vs. Wade, I know that my teenage birth mother legally had the "choice" not to let me be born. The pro-choice advocates often talk about young pregnant girls by describing them as being "inconvenienced" by an "unwanted" baby, not wanting them to "ruin" their lives because of a "mistake." Well, I know for a fact that I was very much wanted. My parents couldn't have children of their own and were so happy to adopt me.


I was blessed to grow up in a loving home with a great family, and as I told Cain, "I am not a mistake." His response was to give me an immediate, warm smile and say in that deep voice of his, "No, you most certainly are not," followed by some comments about life being precious and my family being a wonderful blessing (they are!).


I had watched and listened while Cain and Plakon had shared stories of their families and their faith. I had looked Cain in the eyes and told him my story, and heard my own faith and pro-life beliefs echoed in his words and his smile and his eyes.


Herman Cain believes in life, deeply and truly believes. I know it and I am sure of it as much as I am sure of my own pro-life beliefs. Anyone who says Cain is not pro-life clearly has not met him.

See also:

American Spectator | Robert Stacy McCain | Cain in the Cross-Hairs

The Other McCain | #VVSS11: Campaign Spin Wars Follow Value Voters Summit Straw Poll