Herman Cain has now signed the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life Pledge. Originally he resisted because of concerns that as president he would not be able to adhere to the fourth commitment in the pledge, which is to ADVANCE, and sign into law a Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.
At the time, he had concern that there was no way he could guarantee that he’d be able to advance that bill. But clearly the intent of the pledge language was more that he would use the bully pulpit of the presidency to advance it. He has now signed it.
It must means we’re getting closer to the Iowa Caucuses. By the way, Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman are the only candidates who haven’t signed it. No surprise.
Below is part of the SBA press release:
“This decision is consistent with the Herman Cain we have come to know,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA List. “He understands the wound abortion is to America and especially to the most vulnerable among us – people that Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger labeled ‘human weeds.’
“We commend Mr. Cain for adding his name to the list of candidates who have signed the pledge, and should he be elected to the White House, we look forward to him leading the fight to protect women and unborn children.”
Cain explained his pro-life convictions and commitments saying, “I am an associate Baptist Minister and am 100 percent pro-life. I believe that all human beings have intrinsic dignity. My children and grandchildren mean the world to me, and I feel so blessed that they are realizing their full potential.” Cain continued, “I will not appoint judges who legislate from the bench. I will appoint judges who will strictly interpret the U.S. Constitution and understand the limitations on government and separations of power set forth in the U.S. Constitution. Where my powers in the Executive Branch are concerned, I will work at all times to oppose government funding of abortion. I will veto any legislation that contains funds for abortions. I will do everything that a President can do constitutionally to advance the culture of life.”
Here is what the pledge says:
FIRST, to nominate to the U.S. federal bench judges who are committed to restraint and applying the original meaning of the Constitution, not legislating from the bench;
SECOND, to select only pro-life appointees for relevant Cabinet and Executive Branch positions, in particular the head of National Institutes of Health, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Health & Human Services;
THIRD, to advance pro-life legislation to permanently end all taxpayer funding of abortion in all domestic and international spending programs, and defund Planned Parenthood and all other contractors and recipients of federal funds with affiliates that perform or fund abortions;
FOURTH, advance and sign into law a Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act to protect unborn children who are capable of feeling pain from abortion.