John McCain Will Not Pick Pro-Abortion Running Mate, Rules Out Tom Ridge

LifeNews.com ^ | August 19, 2008 | Steven Ertelt

[julieee]

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- John McCain has confirmed that he will not be picking a running mate who takes a pro-abortion position and has ruled out former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, who media outlets promoted as a possibility McCain aides told Republican Party officials of the decision and they confirmed it to Fox News.

The aides and officials indicated that McCain “got the message” from pro-life advocates that picking an abortion advocate like Ridge was non-negotiable and could cost him votes.

[Redbob]

"...the independents and middle of the road voters would have liked that a lot."

And the GOP faithful, folks like me who've voted GOP for decades, would have stayed home in droves.

At some point we have to draw a line and say, "Principle counts for something, and I WILL NOT vote for someone whose philosophy and morality is that far removed from mine."

Joe Lieberman would be well past that line.

[Redbob]

"How about private communication and not public airing of dirty laundry? Keep it in the family."

I've got a question for you:
Can you name one time in John McCain's political life where quietly reasoning with him yielded any results whatsoever?

Like the man said, McCain requires the 2x4 to get his attention, then you can train him.

[elhombrelibre]

More good news today!

[SECURE AMERICA]

(The aides and officials indicated that McCain “got the message” from pro-life advocates that picking an abortion advocate like Ridge was non-negotiable and could cost him votes. )

This is why I have trouble getting with McCain.
As a Republican Senator and as a man running for President as a Republican he should have already gotten it and should not have had to get the message at this point in time......

[BamaDi]

I’m not sure he “entertained” it at all - I truly believe this was all media driven in hopes he WOULD put either Ridge or Libermann on the ticket, thus ensuring his defeat...and who says the media’s not in The Chosen One’s pocket....

[ryan71]

I want a young, conservative governor who will be a good candidate for President in 4/8 years.

[Miss Didi]

Rush just said that it's Lindsey Grahamnesty and Co. who are pushing for a pro-choice/Dem VP and that the campaign wants Mitt. This is what Rush reported yesterday that had me hysterical:

RUSH: I have been referring today to the possibility that Senator McCain would choose Senator Lieberman as vice president as perhaps floating a trial balloon. I have since been informed that it is far more than a trial balloon. Apparently, the McCain campaign is having delegates to the Republican convention polled on the issue of Lieberman on the ticket. Also, the highest-level donors, those who have given $2 million or more are getting calls from Carly Fiorina and Schmidt, the new guy brought in to run the campaign of Charlie Black. It's not a head fake, apparently, it's a serious float. McCain's trying to gauge, take the temperature of delegates to the convention and these high donors. (cont.)

Choose Wisely, Senator McCain

[SECURE AMERICA]

(I kinda wish conservatives (Christian fundamentalists, et al) would show more restraint on publicly yelling at McCain about his VP choice (whoops! bad word) and that he better not pick this guy or that gal. It only emboldens the left and forces McCain to waste time caving in.
On the other had we don’t want him to pick a dork either.
How about private communication and not public airing of dirty laundry? Keep it in the family.)

---

A couple of points on this statement.
I consider myself an AMERICAN when it comes to voting. Take that anyway you wish. But for me it means that if I feel the need to scream at the top of my lungs at the people running for the Office of the President when they say ior do something stupid, then so be it.
And keep it in what family? I do not belong to the McCain family or the Obama family. if I did neither would be running for President.

[donna]

Why did he even entertain the idea for more than two seconds?

McCain didn't. This is a bait and switch scheme.

We're supposed to be so grateful we will accept his real pick without giving him any trouble.

[MaestroLC]

story already posted

[NYC Republican]

I could enthusiastically support either, though I think Romney would be a better choice

[LegalEagle61]

I am a woman and I am SUPER PRO CHOICE, here is the choice:

Open your legs or keep them shut, if you CHOOSE to open them, then be an adult and take responsibility for the life you helped to create, don’t kill innocent babies just because you are irresponsible, had to much to drink or whatever the lame excuse may be.

I am so sick of people that won’t take responsibility for what they themselves do. I am also sick of people that claim to be a Christian yet support Roe v. Wade. There is no gray area here.

Ok I am off my soap box for now :)

[skinkinthegrass]

I have since been informed that it is far more than a trial balloon. Apparently, the McCain campaign is having delegates to the Republican convention polled on the issue of Lieberman on the ticket....Ouch!

[nina0113]

That’ll take Lieberman off the list too. Good.

[nina0113]

I want a young, conservative governor who will be a good candidate for President in 4/8 years.

He doesn't have to be a governor for me, but neither Palin or Cantor is ready for the Oval Office now. With McCain's age issue, I want somebody who is.

[Jaxter]

I agree. I am 100% pro-choice as long as the choice occurs prior to conception.

[Waco]

A pro choice pick would swing a few votes for o’bama and swing quite a few away from McCain, that’s what the RATS were hoping for, I think.

[DManA]

This is why it pays to beat a “dead horse”.

[RightFighter]

More likely he’s planned all along to choose a true conservative running mate, but by floating this trial balloon and watching our reaction to it, it gives him cover in the media. He can claim that he had to pick someone so conservative because his base demanded it. That has the effect of softening any potential damage he’ll take from “moderates” for picking a solid conservative.

[donna]

Yeah, I read the same things about Bush here 8-years ago.