Texas Gov. Rick Perry has shifted to the right on abortion, telling an audience in Osceola, Iowa, on Tuesday that he has undergone a “transformation” and now opposes abortion even in cases of rape, incest or if the mother’s life is in jeopardy.
The presidential hopeful said he changed his views after watching the anti-abortion film “The Gift of Life,” which tells the story of individuals who say they were nearly the victims of abortion.
“You’re seeing a transformation,” Perry said. “That transformation was after watching the DVD ‘Gift of Life.’ I really started giving some thought about the issue of rape and incest, and some powerful, powerful stories in that DVD.”
Perry said he spoke with one of the women in the video, who told him that she was “the product of rape” and that he really needed to “think this through.”
“It was a powerful moment,” Perry said.
According to the latest Public Policy Poll, Perry is tangled with Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum in the second tier of candidates that will be hoping for a boost from Iowa’s conservative Christian base.
Both Bachmann and Santorum oppose abortion in all cases, including rape, incest or if the mother’s life is at stake.
