Rick Perry Abortion Stance: Shift Puts Him At Odds With Organization His Wife Fundraises For

By Deborah Charles

WASHINGTON--Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry's new opposition to abortion in almost any situation may appease conservatives in Iowa, but it moved his views further from those of a sexual abuse organization supported by his wife, Anita.

During an emotional appearance this week while campaigning for the January 3 Iowa caucuses that kick off the presidential nominating process, the Texas governor said he had undergone a "transformation" in his views toward abortion.

At a town hall meeting in Osceola, Iowa, Perry, an evangelical Christian who has made his faith a centerpiece of his White House bid, was asked by a local pastor about abortion.

Perry, who previously had opposed abortion except in cases of rape or incest, said he had a change of heart after watching a movie made by 2008 Iowa Republican caucus winner Mike Huckabee called "The Gift of Life."

"I really started giving some thought about the issue of rape and incest," Perry said.

He said one of the moments that changed his mind was while talking to Rebecca Kissling, a woman shown in the movie.

"She said to me, 'I am the product of rape,' and she said, 'My life is worthy.' It was a powerful moment," Perry said, his voice breaking slightly as the crowd applauded.

Perry's new view contrasts with that of the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA), which supports abortion rights.

Perry's wife, Anita, is a long-time fund-raiser for the group, which has received federal and state funding.

Anita Perry, a nurse by training, was hired in 2003 to use her fund-raising skill at TAASA, where in a single year she tripled donations.

TAASA says Anita Perry sticks to fund-raising and generally avoids policy discussions. A lobbyist for the association has said that Anita Perry is not involved in any policy issues.

Annette Burrhus-Clay, director of TAASA, said she was aware of Rick Perry's change of heart regarding abortion. Burrhus-Clay would not comment on how it might affect Anita Perry's views or her work with the association.

"Anita Perry is still a fund-raiser for TAASA," Burrhus-Clay said in an email to Reuters. "TAASA's position remains unchanged. We still contend that the option of safe and legal abortions is essential for rape and incest victims."

Perry's spokesman Ray Sullivan said both Anita and Rick Perry have always opposed abortion. Sullivan would not say whether Anita Perry shared her husband's new opposition to abortion in cases involving incest or rape.

"Like most Americans, they would rather not see any babies aborted," Sullivan told Reuters in an email. "Both Perrys believe families should have the option (of abortion) when a woman's life is in danger."

Less than a week before the Iowa caucuses, Perry is battling several other Republican candidates to win religious conservative voters in Iowa.

Most of the Republican candidates, including Perry, have signed the Personhood USA pledge, which says: "Abortion and the intentional killing of an innocent human being are always wrong and should be prohibited."

(Editing by David Lindsey)

Copyright 2011 Thomson Reuters. Click for Restrictions.

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Comments

[vbookish7]

01:17 PM on 12/30/2011

Hope SNL is onto this jackarse again on this one.

[vbookish7]

01:16 PM on 12/30/2011

She needs to pay him like all the others so that he will go with her angle. Use Pay For Play with your wife Rick.

[vbookish7]

01:15 PM on 12/30/2011

I don't think he got his story right with his wife a heck of a long time ago. So this is just a pattern for him.

[arisgrandma]

09:16 AM on 12/30/2011

I just don't get it - a woman can't have an abortion for any reason - yet there's no money for neonatal care, no money for preschool or daycare, no money for school breakfast.

Caring about embryos and not children just doesn't make any sense - but that's the republican motto

[diamonds61]

08:49 AM on 12/30/2011

Anita Perry claims that people attack "Little Ricky" because of his religious views. What religion and what views? Perry will flip flop to the end until he gets the votes he needs and he will sell out his wife and mother in an instant. Anita believes in killing life before birth and Rick believes in killing people after they are both. Check to see how many prisoners are now on death row and how many executions have taken place in Texas over the past 10 years. Most of the GOP candidates have signed the Personhood USA pledge but it doesn't mean they are anti-abortion.These kind of people can put their signature on any pledge yet it doesn't mean a thing because the majority of the candidates are liars and cheats.

[jmk6653]

08:38 AM on 12/30/2011

Wow he is still running???

[Cacey]

06:30 AM on 12/30/2011

Perhaps rather than the current slate of candidates, their wives should be running. It's well known that Anne Romney has been a big supporter of Planned Parenthood and equal rights. Of course there could be some confusion as to the real Mrs. Gingrich.

[Kiffanik]

05:04 AM on 12/30/2011

The number of suicides yearly and the number of Americans who attempt it each year is evidence that not everyone who is given life ultimately feels it was worth it. As such, basing such a "transformation" on one person who was born out of r@pe is reaching don't you think? He should just be honest and say he changed his mind because the fringers told him to and given his campaign struggles it's a last ditch attempt to be relevant.

[StillMadMatt]

04:33 AM on 12/30/2011

Anita is such funny name.

[trueblutexan]

03:39 AM on 12/30/2011

What did he say??? She opposes abortion but fund raises for a Pro-Choice organization?? Are the Perrys the next reality show?

[henrypapillon]

03:05 AM on 12/30/2011

Maybe Anita should be running.

[James McGill]

02:00 AM on 12/30/2011

How is this issue relevant? The President of the United States has no authority to ban or to compel abortion. As Governor of a state or even as a member of Congress, a candidate would have more authority on this particular issue, as President, exactly none whatsoever.

[lstrauss5]

01:19 AM on 12/30/2011

Typical demagogue, is our Rick Perry. Say anything, especially in desperate circumstances, that you think will "work" for you.

[RitaS]

01:16 AM on 12/30/2011

So, no matter WHAT, the WOMAN's life is secondary....

If only these Repugs gave a thought to all those adoptable children, past & future, who long for a home....

[pmoschetta]

05:09 AM on 12/30/2011

What gets me, these superficial candidates all spew nonsense based upon either their personal view or religious view where neither are constitutional.
They are supposed to be upholding the constitution while leading the country based upon what ALL Americans want, not just a religious organization or a spouse's point of view

[RitaS]

10:20 PM on 12/30/2011

Unfortunately it seems they who are suppose to be upholding the Constitution, base their their opinions/rulings on their personal/religious/corporate/money alliances... US Constitution be damned....

[RitaS]

10:31 PM on 12/30/2011

...supposed to be upholding the constituti­on...

They could care less about the Constitution if it'll get them elected....

[johuyik]

01:04 AM on 12/30/2011

Republican:
Noun
Definition: Someone who believes that an embryo is a person, but a woman isn't.

[henrypapillon]

03:06 AM on 12/30/2011

Fanned, Touche' !