ATLANTA, Ga.—New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said today that conservatives should be “unapologetic” about their pro-life position.
Christie, a Republican candidate for president, spoke at the RedState Gathering in Atlanta.
In his speech, Christie referenced videos recently released by the Center for Medical Progress depicting Planned Parenthood executives discussing the sale of aborted fetal organs.
Planned Parenthood spokespersons have called the videos “heavily edited” and denied wrongdoing.
Christie said he is “disgusted” by the videos, both “as a father of four and also as a public servant.”
Christie said that he saw Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s video defense of Planned Parenthood on his way to Monday’s Voters First Forum in New Hampshire, and he told a staffer that he wanted to tape a response.
“Here’s the question I want her to answer: Do you support Planned Parenthood’s conduct in killing children in the womb in a particular way, in order to maximize the value of their body parts for sale on the open market for profit?” Christie said. “That’s the issue. That’s the question.”
“Mrs. Clinton, this is not about women’s health care, and you know it,” Christie added.
Christie said the biggest killer of women in the United States is heart disease, and the second is breast cancer. His state, he said, generously funds services to fight both. The state also funds cancer screenings and other health services for women and men who can’t afford it.
“Let us not be apologetic for our position on life as conservatives,” Christie said.
Being pro-life, he added, “is not just for the time in the womb.”
“I suggest that’s the easiest time to be pro-life,” he said. “They’ve done nothing to disappoint us yet.”
Christie said that being pro-life shouldn’t be limited to defending the unborn, but also includes funding drug rehabilitation programs and opposing legalized assisted suicide.
“We should treasure every life that God put on this Earth,” Christie said.
He said a “pro-life” and “broadly pro-life” candidate is representative of the American people.
.@ChrisChristie: conservatives should be “unapologetic” for pro-life position. #RSG15 pic.twitter.com/c3qnDUthRT
— Kate Scanlon (@scanlon_kate) August 7, 2015
