“first candidate in the 07-08 cycle”
It just goes to show to what lengths a candidate will go to attract the votes of religious conservatives during this election cycle.
In 1999, McCain expressed (to the SF Chronicle) that “certainly in the short term, or even in the long term, I would not support repeal of Roe vs. Wade, which would then force women in America to [undergo] illegal and dangerous operations.”
But even if he were to have changed his mind, McCain knows that we will have to wait for a very, very long time to overturn Roe. And during that time, many preborn children will be murdered. So while being against Roe is an admirable position, it is not evidence of being pro-life.
Here’s why. The Roe decision acknowledged that if the personhood of the preborn were ever to be established by law, state level abortion bans would stand. Congress can declare the personhood of the preborn immediately. At least one such bill exists in the House:
HR2597 Sanctity of life act (Ron Paul and 5 co-sponsors)
Amends the federal judicial code to remove Supreme Court and district court jurisdiction to review cases arising out of any statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, or practice, or any act interpreting such a measure, on the grounds that such measure: (1) protects the rights of human persons between conception and birth; or (2) prohibits, limits, or regulates the performance of abortions or the provision of public funds, facilities, personnel, or other assistance for abortions.
Makes federal court decisions not binding precedent on the courts of any state or their subdivisions, the District of Columbia, or any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States or their subdivisions.
Makes this Act applicable to any case pending on the date of enactment.
In the Senate, S.3111 (Life at Conception Act by Roger Wicker and 12 co-sponsors) is similar:
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/110-s3111/text
Why is John McCain not a co-sponsor of this bill?? Why has he never introduced or co-sponsored such a bill in his 25+ years in Congress?
Let’s not be disingenuous. McCain did an about-face on that 1999 statement the next day.