GOP Candidates and President Obama Comment on Roe v. Wade Anniversary

Sunday marked the 39th anniversary of Roe v Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision on abortion. In a presidential election year and the midst of a heated Republican primary, President Obama and several GOP candidates weighed in on the decision which has sparked arguably the biggest wedge issue in American politics.

"We must remember that this Supreme Court decision not only protects a woman’s health and reproductive freedom, but also affirms a broader principle: that government should not intrude on private family matters," the President said in a statement. "I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose and this fundamental constitutional right. "

Republican presidential candidate and outspoken pro-life advocate Rick Santorum has a different opinion. In a Sunday editorial within the Wall Street Journal, the former Pennsylvania senator wrote that the only way to overturn the now four decade old decision is to elect a president committed to defending life and appointing originalist judges.

"I believe that all life is precious. I know life begins at conception. I know that every person, every child conceived in the womb, has a right to life. I know that life is a right endowed by our Creator, that it is inalienable, laid down in the Declaration of Independence, and should be guaranteed under the Constitution. The right to life is the first right. Without its protection, no other rights matter.

This anniversary is both a day of sadness for the more than 40 million babies who have been killed since Roe v. Wade and a day of hope as more and more Americans embrace a culture of life and as more and more young people march in Washington and around the country in support of life.

The 14th Amendment states explicitly: 'No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.'

The Constitution is clear. The meaning is inconvenient."

Santorum went on to outline his role in fighting partial-birth abortion, and criticized the President's "radical and extreme " pro-choice record as well as his opponents lack of enthusiasm on pro-life issues.

"My opponents whisper that they are pro-life, but I fight the battle in the trenches and will continue to do so until every innocent human life in this country is protected."

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney made a statement on the anniversary of "one of the darkest moments in Supreme Court history," writing that the decision has resulted in millions of lives "tragically silenced."

"Since that day, the pro-life movement has been working tirelessly in an effort to change hearts and minds and protect the weakest and most vulnerable among us. Today, we recommit ourselves to reversing that decision, for in the quiet of conscience, people of both political parties know that more than a million abortions a year cannot be squared with the good heart of America."

Romney's pro-life record has been scrutinized by both opponents and general bystanders.

All four remaining Republican presidential candidates describe themselves as pro-life, but the former Massachusetts governor is yet to sign the Personhood USA pledge and was the only candidate to not attend a forum on the issue in South Carolina Wednesday night.

In a recent interview with the Catholic News Agency , Texas Rep.Ron Paul said he believes that America’s “love for liberty” can be measured by how “the most innocent” members of society are treated.

“And the pro-life movement has played an extremely important role in fighting to make sure innocent life is protected,” he told CNA/EWTN News.

The Hill notes that when the Republican-led House passed bills in 2011 that would restrict federal subsidies for abortion, the issue nearly sparked a government shutdown in April after a last minute dust-up. A report released last week by the pro-abortion group NARAL Pro-Choice America revealed that states enacted 67 measures restricting abortion in 2011.

Hundreds of pro-life activists gathered in Washington's Lafayette Park on Sunday for a 90-minute event with featured speakers, music and a quick march along the White House's north gate. CNN reports that former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee told the crowd the reason he got into politics is because he is "pro-life," and believes "if we get this issue wrong, we will inevitably get all the other issues wrong, too."

Thousands are expected to attend the annual March for Life rally against the Roe v. Wade decision in Washington Monday. NBC reports that the event has been deemed the largest and longest-running peaceful human rights demonstration for the unborn, with more than 100,000 expected to attend.

Speaker of the House John Boehner will make the event's opening remarks, and released a statement earlier in the week on his position in regards to the issue.

“Respect for life has never been a political position for me: it’s who I am, and it’s who we are as a people,” Speaker Boehner said.  “The cause of life endures in large part due to the vigilance of the American people, especially those who, led by Nellie Gray, march and pray in our nation’s capital each year at this time.  It will be a great honor to address the March for Life as Speaker of the House and leader of its bipartisan pro-life majority.”