What does the Susan G. Komen controversy mean for GOP candidates?

The controversy surrounding the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation and Planned Parenthood may become a launching pad to discuss the issue of abortion in upcoming elections.

Friday, The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation reversed their decision to cut funding to Planned Parenthood for breast cancer screening after four days of debate. In a paper statement Komen founder and CEO Ambassador Nancy Brinker wrote, "We have been distressed at the presumption that the changes made to our funding criteria were done for political reasons or to specifically penalize Planned Parenthood. They were not. Our only goal for our granting process is to support women and families in the fight against breast cancer."

Whether or not the original decision to cut funding was meant to be political, the issue of abortion is one that all presidential candidates will eventually have to confront. All of the GOP 2012 candidates are pro-life.

Early on in his political career, former Massachusetts, Gov. Mitt Romney supported a woman's right to choose. But now, Romney says Roe v. Wade should be reversed. He believes state law should guide abortion rights, and is on record supporting moves aimed at de-funding Planned Parenthood.

Former House Speaker, Newt Gingrich, who converted to Catholicism when he married his third wife, is publically pro-life and against Planned Parenthood. Gingrich released a press release last May stating, "I think that Planned Parenthood should be defunded, and I think it's a very significant issue to say to people, should your tax money go to pay the leading abortion provider in America?"Congressman Rick Santorum, is one of the more zealous pro-life proponents. Santorum also supports defunding Planned Parenthood. He is in favor of a constitutional abortion ban. Previously Santorum supported a woman's right to abort a fetus in cases of rape, incest and to save the life of the mother, but now he has reversed course saying he opposes abortion even in cases of rape. "I would absolutely stand and say that one violence is enough," said Santorum.

Texas Congressman Ron Paul believes the federal government should have no authority to legalize or ban abortions. He, along with Gingrich and Santorum have signed a pro-life pledge that among other things, would cut off federal dollars for clinics that perform or finance abortions.