Ryan Now Supports Abortion In Rape Cases? Major Policy Change

Just days after PoltiFact validated Paul Ryan's flat-out opposition to abortion in cases of rape and incest, the Romney campaign - - in the wake of hideous comments about rape victims by GOP Senate candidate Cong. Todd Akin in Missouri - - made this statement that appears to contradict what PolitFact says is Ryan's long-standing anti-abortion position.

In the wake of the Missouri uproar:

Akin's comments also brought a swift rebuke from the campaign of presumptive Republican Party presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

"Governor Romney and Congressman (Paul) Ryan disagree with Mr. Akin's statement, and a Romney-Ryan administration would not oppose abortion in instances of rape," Romney spokeswoman Amanda Henneberg said.

From PolitiFact August 17:

The seven-term congressman has taken a consistent anti-abortion stand -- National Right to Life says he has never voted against its position in 13 years -- that has earned him 100% ratings from anti-abortion groups and 0% ratings from abortion-rights organizations.

News coverage of Ryan’s first congressional race in 1998, as well as statements he made to the National Right to Life Committee, a leading anti-abortion group, show Ryan has taken a stricter anti-abortion view than Romney.

The only anti-abortion exception Ryan favors is situations where an abortion is needed to save the life of the mother, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. The National Right to Life Committee concurs, based on information the group says it collected in 1998 and 2000 from Ryan as a candidate.

Early Monday morning update: The NY Times picks up on the Ryan angle:

August 20, 2012, 1:33 am

Romney Statement on Abortion Appears to Contradict Ryan’s Earlier Position

By TRIP GABRIEL and MICHAEL D. SHEAR

A campaign statement that neither Mitt Romney nor Representative Paul D. Ryan opposes abortion in rape cases seems to contradict Mr. Ryan’s earlier position on the issue.