Charles Dharapak/AP Photo

Democrats and abortion rights activists have seized on Mitt Romney's recent comment to the Des Moines Register that he would not pursue any new restrictions on abortion rights as president, an apparent change from what he has said earlier in the campaign and during the Republican presidential primaries.

"There's no legislation with regards to abortion that I'm familiar with that would become part of my agenda," Romney said, according to the paper.

The comments mark a different tone for Romney, who has changed from being a supporter of abortion rights to opposing them during his political career.

During the GOP primary earlier this year, Romney said repeatedly that Roe vs. Wade should be overturned and that all funding for Planned Parenthood should be cut. He has also said he would prefer to appoint Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe vs. Wade.

Read the Des Moines Register account HERE.

Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul said, "Mitt Romney is proudly pro-life, and he will be a pro-life president."

Romney could likely still support anti-abortion rights legislation.

But Democrats and Planned Parenthood said Romney's comments suggest he is trying to moderate his position.

"It's troubling that Mitt Romney is so willing to play politics with such important issues," Obama campaign spokeswoman Lis Smith said. "Women simply can't trust him."