Posted on 08/03/2008 12:24:19 PM PDT by WilliamReading
ABC News Jan Simmonds reports: On ABC News' "This Week with George Stephanopoulos," former Pennsylvania Governor and Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge reaffirmed his pro-choice position on abortion, and said he did not think Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., would make it a litmus test on whom he would choose to be his running mate.
"I would think John would never make it a litmus test, but when it comes down to a nominee selecting a vice presidential running mate, it's their decision exclusively," said Ridge. "And I would respect that decision one way or another."
When asked whether he thought having a pro-choice candidate at the top of a national ticket would turn off the Republican Party base, Ridge said, "I think, at the end of the day, I think the party would be comfortable with someone Sen. McCain was comfortable with. And that is ultimately his decision."
Ridge chose to hold his cards close to the vest, though, when questioned directly about whether he would accept the offer if John McCain makes it.
"I would have that conversation with my friend John and report back to you," said Ridge with a chuckle.
Ridge also took the opportunity to vouch for the Barack Obama/Britney Spears ad the McCain campaign released earlier this week. "The commercial elevates the whole question of energy policy in a way that some people like, some people don't like," added Ridge, saying the issue of the ad is an important one.
"John McCain has suggested that we have an all-above approach. Let's talk nuclear, let's talk drilling, let's talk biofuels. ... Let's get it all on the table, and Obama -- Sen. Obama, excuse me -- said no nuclear, no drilling," said Ridge.
McCain might not have a litmus test but the base of the party does. The fastest way to keep religious voters home is to put a pro-abort on the ticket.
For every vote that Ridge loses for being on the ticket, he can easily get 2 or 3 pro-choice voters.
I doubt it would be that high. If people are pro-choice they’d probably vote for Obama in the overwhelming majority of cases, all a pro-abort on the ticket would do is fracture McCain’s already shakey base.
... and move the party that much more to the Left, the new home of the Democrat-lite party.
I have a Litmus test.
Well, screw you Ridge. He’s off the Veep list. McCain may be puzzling at times, but he isn’t that stupid to put Ridge on the ticket.
McCain will have a Senate with a Democratic majority throughout his first term. Therefor, he will not have the political capital to go with a Strong Pro Life Justice.
That may be true but McCain is also in his 70s, how secure do you think the base would feel with a pro-abort waiting in the wings?
Mr Crayon thinks he’s got a shot. How amusing . . . unless he’s right.
Not really true in the Northeast. Nonetheless, I don't see Ridge picking up a lot of pro-choice voters who would otherwise vote for Obama, since the VP's position on the issue usually has very little impact.
I certainly hope not. When he has to work with Dim majorities, he proposes Dim legislation. We'll have McCain-Reid and McCain-Pelosi to go with the rest of the trash.
he will not have the political capital to go with a Strong Pro Life Justice
Even Clarence Thomas was confirmed by a Democratic Senate.
I have seen Tom Ridge run in Pennsylvania, a strong pro-life state. He lost a few votes from the Pro-life side, to be sure, but he always made them up, on the pro-choice side.
He has never lost an election . .
He doesn't have to have a strong "Pro Life" Justice. In fact, the less said about "Pro Life", the better.
All you need to overturn Roe v. Wade are strong "Constructionist" Justices that believe that the Constitution should say what it means and mean what it says.
Agreed about the Northeast, a truly nasty and hostile part of the country towards traditionally minded folks. (I should know I was born and raised there) However many so called Republicans in the Northeast govern as Democrat-lites on the social issues and on some fiscal issues.
That maybe true for PA but it is not necessarily true for a national campaign. A pro-abort on a McCain ticket would be a recipe for disaster.
It appears that is the plan.
I agree. McCain won’t pick Ridge for VP, no matter how close they are. He might get a cabinet post, though.
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