Rick Santorum Blasts Herman Cain for Being 'Pro-Choice,' Cain Rebuts

On Thursday GOP presidential hopeful Rick Santorum accused rival Herman Cain of being "pro-choice," like "members the liberal left," eliciting a Twitter response from Cain who wrote, "I'm 100% pro-life. End of story."

Santorum's assertion came on the heels of a Wednesday night interview with CNN's Piers Morgan, in which Cain explained his pro-life stance, even in cases of rape or incest.

"I believe that life begins at conception. And abortion under no circumstances," Cain said.

But earlier Thursday, The Blaze reported that Santorum isn't the only one who finds Cain's abortion stance confusing.

When Morgan asked how Cain would feel if a member of his family were raped and if he would want that family member to raise the child, Cain said it is "not the government's role or anybody else's role to make that decision."

"So what I'm saying is it ultimately gets down to a choice that that family or that mother has to make. Not me as president, not some politician, not a bureaucrat," Cain told Morgan.

"It gets down to the family and whatever they decide, they decide. I shouldn't have to tell them what decision to make for such a sensitive issue."

"The government shouldn't be trying to tell people everything to do, especially when it comes to social decision that they need to make," Cain added.

Morgan, who seemed surprised, called Cain's views a "departure" from those normally seen in politics. He then told Cain that, if he were to become president,  his "views on these things become exponentially massively more important. They become a directive to the nation."

"No they don't," Cain replied plainly.

"I can have an opinion on an issue without it being a directive on the nation. The government shouldn't be trying to tell people everything to do, especially when it comes to social decisions that they need to make."

In response, Santorum released the following statement, comparing Cain's "position" with those held by John Kerry, President Barack Obama and "many others on the liberal left":

“Herman Cain said that he believes life begins at conception, but that it’s up to the individual to decide whether or not to terminate that life.  And I find it gravely troubling that Herman believes it’s a life, but that he doesn’t consider it a life worth fighting for.

As the author of the partial birth abortion ban and other pro-life pieces of legislation, this is the exact mentality myself and other true pro-life advocates fought against.  In fact, Herman’s pro-choice position is similar to those held by John Kerry, Barack Obama and many others on the liberal left.  No, Herman, it is not ‘whatever they decide,’ this is an innocent human life.  It is unconscionable for Herman to run for the nomination of the Party that stands in defense of Life while showing disregard for the sanctity of Life.  You cannot be both personally against abortion while condoning it – you can’t have it both ways.  We must defend the defenseless, period.”

In response, Cain released the following statement:

“Yesterday in an interview with Piers Morgan on CNN, I was asked questions about abortion policy and the role of the President.

I understood the thrust of the question to ask whether that I, as president, would simply “order” people to not seek an abortion.

My answer was focused on the role of the President. The President has no constitutional authority to order any such action by anyone. That was the point I was trying to convey.

As to my political policy view on abortion, I am 100% pro-life. End of story.

I will appoint judges who understand the original intent of the Constitution. Judges who are committed to the rule of law know that the Constitution contains no right to take the life of unborn children.

I will oppose government funding of abortion. I will veto any legislation that contains funds for Planned Parenthood. I will do everything that a President can do, consistent with his constitutional role, to advance the culture of life."

More on the transcription of his comments here.

Do you believe Herman Cain's personal views on abortion reveal that he is truly "pro-choice," or can on be pro-life and share Cain's views on government involvement as it pertains to abortion? Please weigh in below.

(h/t: CBN)