GOP candidates on stage to discuss life

When the authors of the Declaration of Independence addressed the "certain unalienable rights" endowed upon humanity by its "Creator," the first on the list was "life." And its importance was so obvious it didn't need to be explained.

"We hold these truths to be self-evidence, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

So as the GOP moves forward in selecting its nominee for president in 2012, large numbers consider the candidates' views on that subject significant, and the first-ever President Pro-Life Forum is being held Tuesday at 8 p.m. Central Time to delve into those positions.

The event is being arranged by PersonhoodUSA, which has been advocating for state constitutional amendments that simply would declare that a living human is a "person" under state law for all intents and purposes from the moment of conception.

"All president candidates have been invited to participate, and as of this moment, Newt Gingrich, Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum and Rick Perry are confirmed," the group's website said.

The tele-town hall meeting is scheduled to be heard live on Steve Deace's nationally syndicated radio show on the Salem Network.

"It is critical that the pro-life community rigorously examine the pro-life credentials and convictions of our candidates BEFORE we select a nominee," organizers said.

Partner organizations in the event include the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Coalition, Liberty Counsel, Bott Radio Network, Freedom Federation, Frederick Douglass Foundation, Champion the Vote, Oak Initiative, The Call, Georgia Right to Life, Rock for Life and Iowa Right to Life.

It was just days earlier that Bachmann, Santorum, Gingrich and Perry all signed Personhood USA's Personhood Republican Candidate Pledge, declaring their intentions to stand with President Ronald Reagan in support of "the unalienable personhood of very American, from the moment of conception until natural death."

"We're pleased to see the candidates standing for the rights of every person to live, love, and be loved. The time has come to end the 40-year reign of the abortion industry, once and for all," said Keith Mason, president of Personhood USA. "This is an opportunity for everyone who understands that 'all men are created equal' to hear from the candidates their plans to recognize the most fundamental rights of every human being, no matter their age."

Lila Rose, chief of the Live Action organization that has completed a long list of major projects to uncover the scandals of the U.S. abortion industry, said, "As we saw during the 2011 budget crisis, and Speaker Boehner-President Obama negotiations, in which President Obama insided on protecting the millions of dollars going to Planned Parenthood – we need national leaders with backbones committed to standing for the unborn."