Hours after announcing his support for a 15-week abortion ban, Democratic presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr. walked back his support, claiming he misunderstood an interviewer’s question due to “a crowded, noisy exhibit hall at the Iowa State Fair” on Sunday
“Mr. Kennedy’s position on abortion is that it is always the woman’s right to choose. He does not support legislation banning abortion,” his campaign noted in an official “clarification” later that day.
Speaking with Ali Vitali of NBC News, Kennedy originally insisted that the “decision to abort a child should be up to the women during the first three months of life.” Asked to clarify whether that constituted a 15-week abortion ban, Kennedy answered clearly: “Yes.”
“Once a child is viable, outside the womb, I think then the state has an interest in protecting that child,” RFK Jr. said. “I’m for medical freedom. Individuals ought to be able to make their own choices.”
RFK Jr. tells an MSNBC reporter that he supports a federal abortion ban after three months. pic.twitter.com/MmFh3Kn9gN
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) August 14, 2023
“In his long-shot bid to unseat Joe Biden, the top Democrat heading into 2024, this interview – of course – puts him far out of step with where most of the Democratic Party is, but Kennedy then affirming that he is, in fact, pro-choice,” Vitali added later following the controversy.
RFK Jr.’s comments marked a significant shift from his earlier pronouncements about abortion in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade last year. “I’m not going be in a position, put myself in a position, where I am going to tell a woman to bring a child to term,” he told a crowd during a New Hampshire town hall discussion in June.
The momentary change of heart even drew the support of Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America (SBA), who called it “a stark contrast to the Democratic Party’s radical stance.”
Here’s the full exchange with Kennedy, in which I ask the questions multiple times to make sure we’re understanding- even at one point saying I was surprised by the stance.
Full story here and video TK: https://t.co/NHWNhlaLL5 https://t.co/t9NbrnqRG4 pic.twitter.com/U9FBPDNY2A
— Ali Vitali (@alivitali) August 14, 2023
A 15-week abortion ban has gained momentum among Republican presidential candidates just ahead of the first GOP debate later this month. In late June, Mike Pence called on fellow contenders to embrace the policy.
“I believe we just can’t rest or relent until we restore the sanctity of life to the center of American law,” the former Vice President said during an interview with Fox News at the time. “I think we need to bring a message of grace,” Pence added. “We need to bring a message of kindness. We need to come alongside women in crisis pregnancies. That’s how we’re going to win hearts and minds.”