Rick Perry Flip-Flops On The 10th Amendment and States Rights With Abortion

The thing about conservatives and state’s rights is that they are for them except when they are against them. Take Texas Governor Rick Perry, for example. Gov. Perry is on record for believing that Roe v. Wade should be overturned. That way states would be free to pass their own laws concerning abortion without having that pesky federal law and constitutional protections to worry about.

It appears that Gov. Perry has had a change of heart. According to RH Reality Check, Perry now supports a federal amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would grant personhood status and legal protections to unborn children. That’s right. The same Governor who openly flirted with secession now believes the federal government should dictate abortion law to the states. That’s an interesting evolution on the topic of federalism.

This squishiness on the 10th Amendment should really come as no surprise. Social conservatives don’t truly embrace the idea of states rights. What they embrace is the idea of state’s rights in the states, and on the issues, they like. Gay marriage in New York is a perfect example. Once the legislature approved the measure, how many state’s rights advocates came out applauding the decision and heralding it up as an example of states successfully legislating a social issue for their citizens free from unnecessary federal restraint?

The point is, Gov. Perry used to be right on this issue. He is famously on record for saying “You either have to believe in the 10th Amendment or you don’t. You can’t believe in the 10th Amendment for a few issues and then [for] something that doesn’t suit you say, I’d rather not have states decide that.”

So which is it, Gov. Perry? Do you believe in the 10th Amendment or don’t you?

Rick Perry Stands Up For States Rights Then Sits Back Down Again

Photo from Gage Skidmore via flickr.

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Norma V.

7:44PM PDT on Aug 7, 2011

Scary Perry isn't sure what Jesus would do.....

send a green star

Laurita W.

10:08PM PDT on Aug 6, 2011

The guy is full of hogwash.

Marco C.

5:54PM PDT on Aug 5, 2011

God, guns and gonorrhea. Well, two out of three ain't bad (that we know of yet). Look at the positive side,we could trade the Whitehouse situation room for a nice little prayer chapel and with God on our side, there will be no more worries. Just think of how scared the rest of the world would be. White christian religious zealots with a nuclear arsenal. Why be so negative?

Terry K.

4:45PM PDT on Aug 5, 2011

Hairy Perry is a truly dangerous man!

john c.

1:10PM PDT on Aug 5, 2011

Perry is aligning himself with the gun toting tea party homophobic christofactist AFA et. al.
I expect a fire and brimstone attack during the big prayer as God clearly stated he did not want public prayer nor false prophets turning others away fom Him due to arrogance and self promotion. Perry and the clones are trash! .

Robert O.

12:56AM PDT on Aug 5, 2011

He only supports a position on an issue when it's to his convenience or benefit, which is not encouraging at all. But in reality what is there about Perry or any GOP-er/tea-partier that is encouraging?

Nicole G.

3:42PM PDT on Aug 4, 2011

Pure hypocrisy!!!! Until men have the ability to phyically bear a child then perhaps they should not be so quick to legislate our bodies!

Carlene V.

4:36AM PDT on Aug 4, 2011

Maybe God spoke to him once again, after he had a talk with Mindless Michelle.

Perry is going to say whatever it takes to keep the phony Christians on his side. You see, REAL Christians don't act the way he or they do.

Mickey J.

8:59PM PDT on Aug 3, 2011

As a voting Texan, I and a lot of others like me are hoping that he will run for President and then LOSE!! At least that way, we will get him and his GOP buddies out of Texas! He has totally ruined this great state!

J C B.

8:50PM PDT on Aug 3, 2011

Amazing. The republic is burning.