Sen. Paul: ‘We’re Not Changing Any’ Abortion ‘Laws Until the Country is Persuaded Otherwise’

(CNSNews.com) – Although he is pro-life and believes life begins at the moment of conception, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a potential presidential contender in 2016, said that because of the polarization over abortion, Americans  need to be persuaded on the issue and “we’re not changing any of the laws until the country is persuaded otherwise.”

Paul himself has introduced the Life at Conception Act (S. 583), which would provide constitutional protection to children at the moment of conception.

Last week, Paul was interviewed at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics by liberal David Axelrod, a former senior adviser to President Barack Obama.

Speaking about the polarization in America over abortion, Paul said, “So, instead of saying the debate is, gosh, it’s all life and no abortion or all abortion and no life – that’s where we are right now.  We’re nine months of gestation, or 40 weeks of gestation, with no real exceptions for life right now.”

“And if you say the health of the mother, in any fashion, it’s not really defined, can be affected, you can have an abortion at any time,” said Paul.  “So really the question is whether  or not – I think the public is somewhere in the middle  of those two.”

“And where are you, that’s what I’m trying to get at,” Axelrod said.

“I think that’s where the law would be,” Paul said. “My religious and personal belief is that life begins at the very beginning.”

Axelrod then said, “Well, would you sign or promote a law that would add –“  apparently in reference to restricting abortion.

Paul said, “No. I think where the country is – I think persuasion is part of this. I think where the country is, is somewhere in the middle, that we’re not changing any of the laws until the country is persuaded otherwise.”

Commenting on Senator Paul’s remarks, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins said, “Obviously, no president has the power to unilaterally ban abortion, but he does have the power to make the issue a priority -- something most Americans assumed Rand Paul would do.”

“Regardless of the GOP's pick, conservatives expect their nominee to use the Oval Office to advance a culture of life,” said Perkins in his Washington Update column.  “Changing minds is important, but what better way to accomplish it than using a national platform to talk about its importance?”

On his website, Paul has a page devoted to “Sanctity of Life,” which explains the legislation he introduced.

“I have stated many times that I will always support legislation that would end abortion or lead us in the direction of ending abortion,” Paul says on his website.  “I am 100% pro-life. I believe life begins at conception and that abortion takes the life of an innocent human being.”

“It is the duty of our government to protect this life as a right guaranteed under the Constitution,” the text states. “For this reason, I introduced S. 583, the Life at Conception Act on March 14, 2013.  This bill would extend the Constitutional protection of life to the unborn from the time of conception.”

“It is unconscionable that government would facilitate the taking of innocent life,” the text states. “I have stated many times that I will always support legislation that would end abortion or lead us in the direction of ending abortion.”

“I have stated many times that I will always support legislation that would end abortion or lead us in the direction of ending abortion,” Paul states on his website where he explains his legislation.