text: Romney: My views on abortion rights are clear 
   
   (CBS News) In an interview with CBS Evening News anchor Scott Pelley, Mitt Romney said his views on abortion rights are more lenient than those put forward in the Republican party platform. 
   
   "My position has been clear throughout this campaign," Romney said. "I'm in favor of abortion being legal in the case of rape and incest, and the health and life of the mother." 
   
   The Republican Party is gathering in Tampa, Fla., this week for its national convention, where in addition to nominating Romney for president, the party will officially adopt its national platform. Last week, the party added language to the platform calling for a constitutional amendment banning abortion, with no mention of making exceptions for victims of rape or incest, or to save the life of the mother. 
   
   Republican Convention 2012: complete coverage 
   
   President Obama in an interview Saturday said that if Romney were president, the Republican would not "stand in the way" if Congress attempted to strip women of their reproductive health rights. Democrats have recently stepped up their attacks against the GOP ticket on the issue of reproductive rights, in part because of the strong views held by Romney's running mate Rep. Paul Ryan, and in part because of the controversial remarks GOP Senate candidate Todd Akin made on rape and abortion. 
   
   Romney, however, told Pelley that the issue amounts to a distraction. 
   
   "Recognize this is the decision that will be made by the Supreme Court," he said. "The Democrats try and make this a political issue every four years, but this is a matter in the courts. It's been settled for some time in the courts." 
   
   More from the interview: 
   
   Romney says "birther" joke wasn't a swipe at Obama 
   
   Romney: Nuclear Iran "unacceptable" 
   
   Pelley also asked Romney about changes in the Republican party since the height of his father, George Romney's, political career and about how Romney is confronting the perceived enthusiasm gap in the GOP. 
   
   Watch the full interview segment below. Additional excerpts will air during CBS News' primetime coverage of the Republican National Convention, Tuesday, August 28 through Thursday, August 30, beginning at 10 p.m. ET each night. ||||| Republican Mitt Romney said Monday that he is in favor of abortion in cases of rape, incest and the health and life of the mother. 
   
   Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and his wife Ann, arrive at Brewster Academy, for convention preparations in Wolfeboro, N.H., Aug. 27, 2012. The Romneys envision... (Associated Press) 
   
   The presidential candidate's addition of the health of the mother is certain to raise questions about his position among conservatives. Health can be broadly defined and, in fact, running mate Paul Ryan has challenged the health exception as a major loophole. 
   
   Romney commented in an interview Monday with CBS News. 
   
   Romney's position on abortion rights has evolved. When he ran for the U.S. Senate in Massachusetts, he backed abortion rights. As a presidential candidate, he has opposed abortion rights and says the Supreme Court should reverse the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion. 
   
   In a statement, Romney campaign spokeswoman Andrea Saul said Romney's position is clear _ that he opposes abortion except for cases of rape, incest and where the life of the mother is threatened.
target: – On the eve of his nomination, Mitt Romney restated his position on abortion—and it's not the same as that of his party or his running mate. "My position has been clear throughout this campaign," he told CBS. "I'm in favor of abortion being legal in the case of rape and incest, and the health and life of the mother." At its storm-shortened convention this week, the Republican Party will officially adopt a national platform calling for a constitutional amendment to ban abortion, with none of the exceptions Romney currently favors. Romney's position on abortion rights has evolved over the years, notes AP. He favored abortion rights during his bid for a US Senate seat, but opposed them during the Republican primaries. He described the issue as a distraction in last night night's interview. "Recognize this is the decision that will be made by the Supreme Court," he said. "The Democrats try and make this a political issue every four years, but this is a matter in the courts. It's been settled for some time in the courts."