ATLANTA — Republican Herman Cain said Sunday that he opposes abortion even in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is at stake, contradicting previous statements in which he favored some exceptions.
The tough stand that Cain staked out during an interview with CBS’s “Face the Nation” came as he tries to clear up his position on an issue closely watched by social-conservative and evangelical voters.
Cain told CBS that he’s “pro-life from conception, period.” Asked whether that includes instances of rape, incest and life of the mother, Cain said, “Correct. That’s my position.”
He also endorsed a controversial theory linking abortion to racial genocide. Cain said Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger wanted to eradicate minorities by putting birth-control clinics in their neighborhoods, an allegation that the group denies.
