New Romney Ad Targets Women: Abortion 'Should Be an Option' in Certain Cases

NEW YORK (TheBlaze/AP) -- On the same day the second U.S. presidential debate was held, Mitt Romney's campaign has released a new television ad suggesting the Republican hopeful believes abortion "should be an option" in certain cases.

The ad features a woman saying she'd heard Romney's position on abortion and birth control "seemed a bit extreme." She says she'd learned Romney doesn't oppose contraception and believes abortion should be available in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is at stake. The Hill has more:

The campaign's new TV spot features a woman, identified as Sarah Minto, who says she voted for President Obama in 2008.

"Those ads saying Mitt Romney would ban all abortions and contraception seemed a bit extreme, so I looked into it,” Minto tells the camera.

"Turns out Romney doesn’t oppose contraception at all," she continues. "In fact, he thinks abortion should be an option in cases of rape, incest or to save a mother’s life.”

The ad is an appeal to women voters, who polls show have widely favored President Barack Obama throughout the race. Surveys show the gap has narrowed.

Watch the ad, below:

Romney supported abortion rights as Massachusetts governor -- but later had a change of heart. He now opposes the procedure, except in narrow instances.

The ad was set to air in Virginia, Wisconsin and Ohio.