Mitt Romney likes to boast about his willingness to "tell people what I actually believe." That's utter nonsense. He's the artful dodger. Here's his "straightforward" explanation in 2005 of his position on abortion:
“I can tell you what my position is, which is — and it’s in a very narrowly defined sphere — which is, as candidate for governor and as governor of Massachusetts,” Romney said, “what I said to people was that I personally did not favor abortion, that I am personally pro-life. However, as governor, I would not change the laws of the commonwealth relating to abortion.
“Now I don’t try and put a bow around that and say, what does that mean you are? Does that mean you’re pro-life or pro-choice? Because that whole package, meaning I’m personally pro-life but I won’t change the laws, you could describe that as — I don’t think you can describe it in one hyphenated word.”
See the wonderful opinion piece by Ruth Marcus at The Washington Post, in which this quote appears. Yup: Mitt Romney, straight talker.