Romney intensifies fight for social conservatives

[February 07, 2012]  CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) -- Presidential contender Mitt Romney is fighting to win over social conservatives in Tuesday's Republican caucuses.

Romney, who previously supported abortion rights, has struggled to convince some cultural conservatives that he's conservative enough. And rival Rick Santorum hopes to use those voters to score strong finishes in Colorado and Minnesota on Tuesday.

In recent days, Romney has emphasized his social conservative credentials at campaign events and in interviews.

In a radio interview, he said he supported the Susan G. Komen Foundation's decision to strip funding from Planned Parenthood. Komen later reversed that decision.

In a rally near Denver, he said the Obama administration is forcing religious institutions to distribute "abortive pills."

Romney will spend Tuesday meeting with voters in Colorado, before turning to Georgia and Maine.

[Associated Press; By STEVE PEOPLES]

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