Posted on 08/19/2008 7:49:51 AM PDT by TitansAFC
NR has learned that the McCain campaign has been calling key state GOP officials around the country the last couple of days and sounding them out about the consequences of a pro-choice VP pick. The campaign is asking about the reaction of conservative grass-roots activists to such a pick and whether a pro-choicer can be sold to them. This is an indication that the McCain campaign is serious about the possibility of a pro-choice VP nominee and that McCain leaving the door open to Tom Ridge last week may not have been merely a friendly nod to a longtime supporter. In this scenario, McCain's emphatic pro-life statements Saturday night and his pledge that he'll run a "pro-life administration" would have been partly an attempt to reassure conservatives in the event of a pro-choice pick. Here is NR's take today on why going with a pro-choicer would be a mistake for McCain.
I think if this is an accurate report, (and I don’t find it too hard to believe sadly), McCain would do this to demonstrate several things....1. He will not “pander” to conservatives. 2. HE will dictate the Republican Party platform, etc. and IF HE decides to toss conservatives a bone here or there, he will, but he is not obligated to do so. 3. He is a Maverick.
I should hope there are more intelligent people inside his campaign who realize that the abortion issue is one of like three issues conservatives can stomach McCain on, and turning off conservatives, as well as those who are pro-life, but may not be conservative, may not be the best way to get into the White House.
Which position gets the most votes for a McCain VP: Pro-Choice or Pro-life?
The challenge he has with Lieberman is, although it has been mostly symbolic in the past, the delegates do have a chance to vote to approve the VP choice. Considering he is an Independent, not a Republican, the Delegates may reject him.
Just how many pro-death voters does McCain think he is going to sway with a pro-death pick? I would venture to say at least 80% of this crowd would vote Democrat anyway even if he named George Tiller (the infamous partial birth abortionist) as his VP.
Given that this is the defining issue for maybe 20% of the electorate, is the potential to sway 2% (20% x 20% x 50%) worth the risk of alienating 8% (80% x 20% x 50%)?
Or more likely swaying 1.4% (20% x 20% x 35%) and alienating 10.4% (20% x 80% x 65%)? The math just doesn't add up.
Of course, the math didn't add up on making illegal aliens fast track citizens either and that didn't stop McCain.
If John McCain picks a pro-choice VP then he IS A LIAR. It told the congregation at the forum on Saturday night that he was pro-life and would only promote pro-life policys. If he picks a pro-choice VP, he is violating his pledge less than a week later.
1. Ridge is a Vietnam vet
2. Pennsylvania
3. Ridge is bland and won't outshine mclame
4. A pro-abortion (mildly) candidate reinforces mr. mavericks image.
Only when you buy this baseless, unsourced rumor from National Review. Don't get addicted to that stuff.
I would like to see him select Michael Steele. I think he would add a lot to the ticket.
Listen closely Sen. McCain... A pro choice VP = President Obama. I hope that is clear enough for you.
Why did the Republicans ruin their all their opportunity to destroy liberalism forever (or at least decades) during their time as a majority? The party seems self-destructive. I would not put it past McCain to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
I would love to see a whole new "conservative" party with true conservative leadership emerge...neither Republican nor Democrap. Of course, I'm a dreamer living in Middle Earth...
I intend to vote for McCain based on (a) the Supreme Court and (b) Nuclear Energy, in SPITE of all the other garbage he calls baggage.
But I do NOT vote for pro-abortion candidates, even if they are only veep.
A pro-abortion choice loses my vote.
When the President is 72 years old and a two-time cancer survivor, it is not out of the realm of possibility that the pro-choice veep could become President, in which case the pro-choice veep will be setting policy and choosing Supreme Court justices. McCain’s veep pick is much, much more important than the average candidates’s veep pick.
Listen the other side must be defeated, crushed. There is no parsing of the words on this and I do not care even if “ COCO THE GORILLA” was selected./Just Asking - seoul62......
How could McCain seriously consider a VP who caucuses with the democrats?
In Congress, Ridge supported the anti-Reagan nuclear freeze movement. Talk about ignorance of history, McCain!
Here’s the McCain Campaign HQ phone number: 703-418-2008
“Why does he even lean toward Ridge? Even if Ridge were pro-life, he is a has-been who brings nothing to the ticket.”
And for me he would be a deal breaker.
BS
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