Herman Cain Clarifies Abortion Stance, Stands By Planned Parenthood 'Genocide' Comments

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain had harsh words on abortion Sunday, after recently suggesting that abortion should be a decision left up to the individual, not the government.

Cain clarified his stance Sunday on CBS's "Face the Nation," saying he is "pro-life from conception, period." He also stood by claims he made this Spring that Planned Parenthood is "planned genocide," and that the organization's mission to "help kill black babies before they came into the world."

Cain raised eyebrows among conservatives earlier this month after suggesting to CNN's Piers Morgan that abortion be left up to families. "It's not the government's role -- or anybody else's role -- to make that decision," he said. "So what I'm saying is, it ultimately gets down to a choice that that family or that mother has to make. Not me as president. Not some politician. Not a bureaucrat. It gets down to that family. And whatever they decide, they decide."

The remarks roiled conservatives and provided fodder for Democrats to paint Cain as pro-choice. Cain quickly backpedaled, tweeting the next day, "I'm 100% pro-life. End of story."

"My answer was focused on the role of the president. The president has no constitutional authority to order any such action by anyone," Cain said in a statement. "I will oppose government funding of abortion. I will veto any legislation that contains funds for Planned Parenthood."

Cain later told Fox News that abortion should not be legal, but the family can make the decision to break the law.

Comments

[castleblanca]

01:18 PM on 11/01/2011

So, Herman Cain stands by his controversial "Planned Parenthood genocide" comments, and Rush Limbaugh stands by Herman Cain.

Good God, this country is truly in deep trouble.

[zdeedle]

12:08 PM on 11/01/2011

but by gopper logic, isn't that then less democratic voters? you do intend on letting them keep voting, right?

[zdeedle]

12:05 PM on 11/01/2011

hmmm. so basically herman, you're saying that black women are too stupid to know any better... gee, herman, we knew you disrespected women, but like clarence thomas, it seems you treat minority women even worse.

i've heard this argument before though, but none of those people spewing it has adopted ANY children, not to mention kids from a different ethnic background.

[BlueGirlRedState]

11:53 AM on 11/01/2011

The truth is Herman Cain doesn't care about abortion. He doesn't care about people. His motivation is feeding his ego and fattening his wallet.

[BlueGirlRedState]

11:50 AM on 11/01/2011

Before long, Herman Cain will have alienated every single block of voters in the country.

[BarryWolk]

04:51 PM on 11/05/2011

I just posted a comment based on your observation that cain left the nra basically right after the women complained and perhaps cain was actually terminated, bluegirl. I posted it in the Herman Cain's wife post on the front page. HuffPost didn't post my comment yet but I will keep posting it until they do. Thanks, I gave you credit for this.

[girlsparky]

09:53 AM on 11/01/2011

Cain's explanations to his statements are hilarious. He is always trying to say the he didn't really say what he said. A trait like that would really do well for foreign relations.

[zdeedle]

12:07 PM on 11/01/2011

i think jon stewart has it right... they throw things out and if people like it, fine, if not..."well, i was just kidding, or you misunderstood".... these gopper candidates are radicals. reagan would disown them, which means very little to me, but i'm hoping the mainstream republicans realize that.... oh right, the majority prefer some other candidate to any one of those running now....

[PublicCitizen21044]

09:42 AM on 11/01/2011

Mr Cain really does say what is on his mind and that is what is what is getting him in trouble with the GOP establishment. He is actually espousing what the GOP believes and that is the Government should not be in the business of regulating peoples (including corporate citizens)lives. BUT Mr Cain has forgotten the part about the racial undertones of the Party and the underlying fear they have of becoming the minority, by race, in the USA and the waning influence of their old,dead white forefathers. He does not seem to understand or relate to their fear of annihilation and the reason why they do not want abortion to continue. White Power Domination and Superiority Mindset (their brand of True American exceptionalism) is a strong belief amongst the Party Elite(slave holders and overseers legacy descendents) and they are not going to stop believing that even if they will be in the minority that by sheer mental will they will remain the directors of the politics of America. That is what the Republican/KTP fight is all about; the fear that the other will come to power and punish them for the sins of their fathers and for their current sin of omission of others from their political ranks,except for the few colored conservatives that support them in their quest and belief that they are the superior race and that this is a white mans country.

[nixrox04]

08:51 AM on 11/01/2011

Typical GOP boilerplate harsh wording to incite the base, displaying yet again Cain's unsuitability to public office.

[Panda Bear]

08:38 AM on 11/01/2011

Are there no workhouses for the poor?

[Just4theHalibut]

01:02 PM on 11/05/2011

Why you little Dickens!

[Panda Bear]

08:34 AM on 11/01/2011

Herman clarified his stance...it is wide!

[katiedone]

07:10 AM on 11/01/2011

Mr. Cain's remarks on abortion can only be construed as archaic and punitive. Besides the effort to appeal to an ultra-conservative base, who apparently believe they can dictate their own religious morals on everyone, Mr. Cain has shown the country and the world he lacks empathy and holds women in low regard. According to Mr. Cain, ALL women, even victims of rape and incest, must be punished by removing their choice. Of course, there is no mention of the sperm donors and their responsibilities. The next thing you know, unwed mothers will be stoned.

[centsable]

07:07 AM on 11/01/2011

Cain says the president said if the United States went to war with Pakistan that Afganistan would side against the US and with Pakistan...actually it was Karzai that said if Pakistan went to war with the US, Afganistan would side with Pakistan.

[Mutande]

06:42 AM on 11/01/2011

Let's say a woman is raped and the government forces her = to continue the pregnancy and then things go badly and then the woman dies in labor because the doctor is forced to save the child. Just a few questions. Is the rapist now a murderer? If the rapist is caught and goes to prison, when he gets out can he get custody of the child? What happens to the baby after it's born? Who pays for the hospital costs? What if the baby needs medical care for as long as it lives. Who pays for that? Can the rapists family get visitation with the child? Who pays for the mother's funeral?

[kathy smelser]

07:36 AM on 11/01/2011

answer 1= yes as long as he is republican 2=he will get custody with wall street sup. the american people will foot the bill for the hospital 3= yes it is that whole kids need both parent thing 4=well i am sure that they would [repubs] would put donation boxes in pitza places and after they take there admin.fees out it will be a cardboard box and they will send us a bill

[hopeisalive]

08:00 AM on 11/01/2011

If the question weren't so very serious, your response would be met with smiles and laughter. Your answer is, like the original post, well put and shows the hypocrisy of the Party of No. Fanned!

[hopeisalive]

07:57 AM on 11/01/2011

Your post is one of the best I've read with regard to the current stand of Mr. Cain and most of the Evangelicals and puts the key questions to their stand clearly to those who read it. Fanned!

[Pennsanic]

06:11 AM on 11/01/2011

For the love of G0d!
Could somebody please explain to Mr. Cain what Planned Parenthood actually does before he opens his mouth again?

[hopeisalive]

08:15 AM on 11/01/2011

I don't think that anyone can explain "what Planned Parenthood actually does" to Mr. Cain or many of the other members of the Party of No because their minds are absolutely focused on the one aspect, abortion. It doesn't matter to them that no tax dollars can, by law since 1979 or so, be used for abortions. That one of the things offered by this group is abortions is all they care to see. So much women's health issues and care that are the main part of Planned Parenthood are not even considered as valuable by them and Mr. Cain.

[mccabe49]

01:43 AM on 11/01/2011

I am so sick and tired of this man's ignorance and hate mongering; please make him go away