Personhood USA Praises Paul Ryan's Pro-Life Record Following Doubts Over Romney
Personhood USA, the pro-life organization that earlier this year suggested GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney had a dubious record on abortion, has now come out to praise his recently announced running mate Paul Ryan as being a defender of human life.
"We would say that since someone had to be chosen, Ryan does seem to support the same values that we support, and the same values of the Republican Party," said Jennifer Mason, Communications Director for Personhood USA, in a phone interview with The Christian Post on Friday.
"In supporting Personhood, Congressman Ryan has taken a consistent pro-life position, one that is called for by the Republican Party's own platform," added Gualberto Garcia Jones, J.D., Legal Analyst for Personhood USA, in a statement.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
A press release by the organization noted that Congressman Ryan has been a staunch advocate for pro-life causes, and is one of the 64 co-sponsors of H.R. 212, known as the Sanctity of Human Life Act, which pertains to the 14th Amendment, which states that "the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being," and the bill makes the claim that "the life of each human being begins with fertilization."
"Far from being extreme, Congressman Ryan has picked up the mantle of President Ronald Reagan in his support for a congressional declaration of personhood," Jones added. "We are hopeful that as Ronald Reagan did before him, Congressman Ryan will use his position of influence to advocate uncompromisingly for the dignity and full legal personhood of the preborn."
The legal analysts' statement refers to former President Reagan's establishment of a National Sanctity of Human Life Day on Jan. 14, 1988, which states that "personhood of the unborn be declared and defended throughout our land."
Personhood USA's support of Ryan stands in contrast to the organization's previous questioning of Romney's abortion record as Governor of Massachusetts.
Earlier in May, Personhood released a statement that exposed a number of instances where they felt Romney could have done more to support pro-life positions.
"Since his pro-life conversion, Governor Romney has repeatedly missed opportunities to stand for life. As a movement our only obligation is to the truth, and the truth is personhood groups could only support Governor Romney if his position was clear," said Keith Mason President of Personhood USA.
Mason told CP that Personhood USA still remains skeptical over Romney: "Romney is the only candidate who has not signed our Personhood Pledge – and that is certainly still of a concern to us. While we look at Ryan's record as a positive thing, all that Ryan has done is support the Republican Party platform."
In regards to a potential victory for Romney and Ryan in the upcoming presidential election, Mason said that she hopes Ryan can influence Romney to "start by upholding the personhood rights of a pre-born child. That would be an excellent start."
"I think that if Ryan is able to influence Romney in such a way that he able to counter-balance some of the more pro-choice actions that he has taken, that would definitely be a turn in the right direction."
