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.
He's going to have a hard enough time getting elected as it is. Select an abortionist as his running mate and there's no chance at all.
I would rather have Casey SENIOR, who won by bigger margins as governor, than that hypocrite ex-communicate Ridge.
Ridge would be a good way to get a lot of possible GOTV volunteers to decide their time is better spent on other matters.
I think McCain is either going to choose Crist or Liberman that will take FL off the board. That is why he not wasting his ad money there
Crist - maybe, Lieberman - no way in hell. I read he is vetting Rep. Cantor as well. McCain needs a young conservative in the VP slot.
Who exactly is Tom Ridge going to bring into the party?
*crickets*
That would be no one. People like to act as if a pro-life litmus test is a bad thing, it’s not, it’s a very good and sensible requirement. There’s issues we’re willing to compromise with, and then there’s issues we’re not. Abortion is in the latter category.
Amen to that.
But Obama will.
Nah, if McPain endorses homosexuality in the military do you really think he has the brass balls to say no to abortion? Killing the unborn? NO WAY.
McCain will not appoint a strong pro-life justice no matter what the make up of the Senate. Any strong pro-life justice would be almost certain to rule against his signature McCain-Feingold legislation
Who exactly is Tom Ridge going to bring into the party?
Obama’s weak point now is with White women (Hillary voters), especially over 40. You would be surprised how many of those people might cross over with McCain-Ridge.
I do not think McCain will pick Romney, they just don’t seem to click . . and Romney hasn’t been on a Sunday show for a few weeks.
Pawlenty is a possibility, but he is lackluster . . not that charismatic.
Cantor? I think this is just a head fake . . He is no way ready to be President of the United States.
LOL, riiiiggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhtttttttttttt. Pro-life is the biggest net voting issue the GOP has. A pro-life position generally nets about 7% over a candidate with a pro-choice position.
No Ridge.
Given McCain’s age it’s highly unlikely he can get my vote by running with a baby killing butcher.
Frankly, Obama has the baby killing vote all wrapped up and in the bank.
Dfinitely a problem if he has a Dem Senate. McCain almost invented the old “reacharound” business.
Pro-life is the biggest net voting issue the GOP has. A pro-life position generally nets about 7% over a candidate with a pro-choice position.
Maybe in Louisiana and Utah, but not in the Midwest. And that is where the election will be won or lost.
I am starting to think that it will indeed be Ridge . . that Cantor is just a way to get some publicity.
I’m already lukewarm on McCain because I think he is a RINO. If he picks a pro-abort running mate i’m staying some.
LOL, wow. Are you kidding me. The only place pro-choice is a good thing is in the north east. The only battleground states where it might be beneficial is Penn and NJ. Otherwise it is a big loser.
LOL, wow. Are you kidding me. The only place pro-choice is a good thing is in the north east.
Have you checked out who represents Michigan, Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana , Minnesota in the Senate? At least 70 percent of those Senators are pro-choice.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.