Uh-oh.
The pro-life Susan B. Anthony List, found here, routinely asks candidates to sign their “pro-life pledge” (as Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has done).
The pledge takes on considerable importance in Republican circles as it indicates the candidate’s attitude toward appointing conservatives to the U.S. Supreme Court and the rest of the federal bench, as well as at the sensitive positions of Cabinet Departments Health and Human Services and Justice. Additionally, the candidate agrees to support the defunding of Planned Parenthood.
The news:
Front-runner Mitt Romney has refused to sign.
Aside from providing the obvious opening for opponents (Rick Santorum quickly pounced, taking Romney to task), the Romney refusal raises the concern a President Romney would be appointing Supreme Court nominees in the mold of George H.W. Bush appointee David Souter — the latter who famously was presented as a conservative and became a dependable liberal Court vote the moment he was seated. Souter, it should be noted, was from New Hampshire — where Romney is concentrating his efforts.
Also not signing: candidates Herman Cain and Gary Johnson.
