The Republican National Committee approved a platform amendment opposing abortion for women on Tuesday, basically reproducing its stated policies from 2008 and 2004, and highlighting a potential divide between Mitt Romney and some of his fellow party members on the issue. The amendment comes at the heels of the rape remark made by Missouri Representative Todd Akin, who said that in cases of “legitimate rape,” a woman’s body is somehow able to shut down to prevent pregnancy. Akin is in the race to the Senate against Democratic incumbent Clair McCaskill.
The GOP amendment, opposing a woman’s choice to receive an abortion, did not mention cases of rape, incest, or danger to the life of the mother. Governor Romney supports the legality of abortion in those cases, but Republicans disagree on the point. By remaining silent on the issue, the platform leaves room for disagreement within Republican ranks.
