It wasn't uncommon back in the '70s and '80s for there to be pro-life Democrats -- Ted Kennedy was one, Dick Gephardt was another. However, as the parties polarized on the issue with Democrats becoming dominated by pro-choicers and Republicans by pro-lifers, politicians who wanted to further their careers found themselves re-evaluating their deeply held beliefs.

More Democrats discovered their pro-choice beliefs in the wake of Roe v. Wade than Republicans discovered pro-life beliefs. There are pro-choice Republicans and pro-life Democrats, but neither are party leaders or have a hopeof winning a primary in a national campaign.

In the 2004 Democrat presidential primary campaign, I remember former Rep. Gephardt being quizzed by a journalist over his views on abortion and various restrictions (waiting period, parental notification/consent, etc.) and he was presented with his '80s-era speeches and letters to constituents where he espoused strong pro-life positions. Gephardt's explanations for the switch were less than convincing.

Well, it's not just Democrats who change their views on the abortion issue when it's politically convenient and it didn't just happen decades ago, as Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney illustrated yesterday on "Fox News Sunday."

Observed wallace: "But now that you're considering a race for president [and will need to persuade conservative GOP primary voters], you say you're a pro-life governor who [wants] the laws of the nation to reflect that view."

Wallace was implacable when Romney stretched credulity by suggesting that somehow his own view of when life begins was crystallized in the context of a recent debate in his home state over stem cell research.

Wallace didn't hide his skepticism: "I don't understand governor. . . the question of harvesting eggs to be used for stem cells, that isn't why most women get abortions. There's a division there, isn't there?"

Hoping to change the uncomfortable subject, Romney suggested that he was "happy to talk about stem cell research." Unfortunately for Romney, Wallace wasn't. "But I'm asking about abortion. And the vast majority of women aren't getting an abortion so they can sell their fetus."

He again reminded Romney that when running for governor, "you did say women should have the right to make their own choice." Then, clearly skeptical, Wallace asked: "Are you saying you only came to the conclusion about when life begins - this has been an issue for 30, 40 years - in the last three years?"

Romney, cornered, was finally forced to admit:

"I'm saying my position has evolved and it changed from where it was before."

Romney has been touted as a possible Republican presidential nominee, but a last-minute flip-flopper on an issue near and dear to the GOP base doesn't have a chance.