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McCain floats a pro-choice VP trial balloon

By Michelle Malkin  •  August 14, 2008 07:02 AM

The McCain camp is dipping its maaaverick toe into the water, testing to see how the conservative base will react to the possibility (probability?) of a pro-abortion vice presidential pick. Pro-open borders. Pro-global warming hysteria. Might as well go for the trifecta.

They want to know what you think. So, go ahead and let them know what you think.

Don’t hold back:

John McCain’s admission to the Weekly Standard’s Steve Hayes (”Shayes” to friends) that he would consider the possibility of choosing a pro-choice running mate is rightly seen as a trial balloon to gauge reaction among conservative base voters to such a move.

“I think that the pro-life position is one of the important aspects or fundamentals of the Republican Party,” McCain told Hayes. “And I also feel that — and I’m not trying to equivocate here — that Americans want us to work together. You know, [former Pennsylvania Governor] Tom Ridge is one of the great leaders and he happens to be pro-choice. And I don’t think that that would necessarily rule Tom Ridge out.”

Later he added: “I think it’s a fundamental tenet of our party to be pro-life but that does not mean we exclude people from our party that are pro-choice. We just have a — albeit strong — but just it’s a disagreement. And I think Ridge is a great example of that. Far more so than [New York City Mayor Michael] Bloomberg, because Bloomberg is pro-gay rights, pro, you know, a number of other issues.”

“I’m not trying to equivocate here.”

Uh-huh.

Posted in: Abortion

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Trackbacks

  1. Hot Air » Blog Archive » A pro-choice running mate for McCain?
  2. No Runny Eggs » Blog Archive » The Morning Scramble
  3. The Dan Lee Report » Blog Archive » McCain playing Keep up with the Jone… err.. I mean Democrats on Abortion..
  4. Abortion, the Declaration of Independence, the Bible, and the First Amendment « I Took The Red Pill (and escaped the Matrix)
  5. The Daily Elephant
  6. Dear John McCain, What are you Doing? | The Daily Conservative
  7. Save the GOP » Blog Archive » McCain leaves door open to pro-choice runningmate
  8. La Shawn Barber's Corner
  9. Values Voters Prefer Huckabee « I Took The Red Pill (and escaped the Matrix)
  10. Michelle Malkin » Is McCain going to screw conservatives (again)?
  11. Should McCain pick a pro-choice VP? - Debate Politics Forums
  12. Life of the Party
  13. Should McCain pick a pro-choice VP? - Page 2 - Debate Politics Forums
  14. Playing Politics With Abortion | The Daily Conservative

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Comments

Comment pages: « 1 2 3 4 5 [6]

  1. #501
    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:08 am, SuzEQCitizen said:

    My pardon, SlimyBill, we were simul-posting.

    Thank you for articulating what another poster refused to yesterday. So at what point do we pro-lifers draw the line? In all honesty, and with no provocation intended, I have to sleep at night.

    The issue of my personally voting for someone who has no respect for the life of an unborn is such that I simply cannot pull the lever. That makes me childish? I think not. I’ll tell you what it does do..this issue of McCain choosing pro-choice veep, it tears my insides up trying to decide what to do.

    As a Christian, I embrace a sovereign God who chooses who sits in power. I have to act according to my principles, and voting pro-choice flies in the face of them.

    Respectfully submitted,

    SuzEQCitizen

  2. #502
    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:08 am, abstractmind said:

    Fair enough.

    People all have at least one turnkey issue…that is to say, there’s always something, some detail, some policy that is a deal breaker for that person.

    for some people, its abortion. or illegal immigration. or security policy.

    I agree staying home and not voting doesnt serve anyones interest. i disagree that voting for anyone other than mccain is a wasted, or thrown away vote. the only thrown away vote is the one never cast.

    And out of my children, every one of them caved on spinish in 10 minutes or less ;)

  3. #503
    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:10 am, SlimyBill said:

    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:00 am, SuzEQCitizen said:

    But we who advocate for the right of an unborn to be born are belittled, slammed, mocked and insulted.

    Those who are truly concerned about the right of an unborn to be born will not even consider staying home in November if they consider that the alternative to McCain will, with his Supreme Court nominees, ensure the availability of abortion for the foreseeable future.

  4. #504
    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:12 am, martin.musculus(jr.) said:

    Thanks, guys{generic “attaboy”, not a gender comment :wink: }!

    I find it a shame… one that will be the end of our Republic if it isn’t nipped-in-the-bud.

    I’m refering to the FUD method, developed to an art by Liberals, recently imported reawakened into the R-party by the migration of “big-mouth, small brain” CINOs, [relax, its a Heinlien reference...].

    Any factual discussion of McCarbonTax’s variations from Constitutionality or previous R-party platform is met with hysteria, names, demonization, character assassination. They cry: “The stakes are too high! Principle be damned! Obama will kill us all! Anyone but Obama! Anyway, Reagan was a fluke! Conservatism is dead! Most Americans aren’t really Conservative! Blah, Blah!”, on and on.

    Just like the Lefties.

    Of course, if Conservative principles aren’t explained or represented by the highest-visibility R in the land, the public will forget.

    There’s more of this. I’m using Dad’s LifeDrive, on my way out, more pins come out today! (yeah!)

    Damn, how DID Dad manage on this Lifedrive? It sucks…

    When I was shaving this morning, mulling over the how the situation has deteriated, I realized that the R-party is a small scale example of our country’s current prediciment.

    We’ve (R-party) been told: “Big tent! Everybody & anybody welcome! No requirements, just join us! We’ll accept anyone, with any core principles or beliefs! A complete spectrum of political thought!!”. Open borders. That is what that is, open borders for our party!

    And what happened? The loud-mouth, CINOs, knowing they couldn’t withstand scrutiny, agitated — are agitating — to convince the bulk of the non-blue-bloods that Conservatism’s dead.

    Any protest, any counter discussion, any airing of facts is met with loud thoughtless derision. Shouting down those who disagree. “Shut-up & grow-up!” is the approved stamp. “If McCain loses it’ll be Conservatives fault!”

    Note the last. No personal responsibility there! Not the Candidate’s fault, oh no!

  5. #505
    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:18 am, SuzEQCitizen said:

    Those who are truly concerned about the right of an unborn to be born will not even consider staying home in November

    I can assure you I won’t be sitting home. The very first election I was of age to vote in was Reagan, and I’ve not NOT voted since.

    if they consider that the alternative to McCain will, with his Supreme Court nominees, ensure the availability of abortion for the foreseeable future.

    If McCain is secretely pro-abortion, or at the very least simply does not care one way or another, I don’t think the availibility of abortion is threatened.

  6. #506
    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:20 am, SlimyBill said:

    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:08 am, SuzEQCitizen said:
    My pardon, SlimyBill, we were simul-posting.

    Roger that Suze. My error; I was too dramatic. Maybe the spinach analogy was a bit flippant too.

    Oops.

    Fetal rights are not near the top of my list of priorities and I guess I fail at time to see the world from the eyes of those for whom it is. I can see the quandary for you and those like you; I can see how voting for someone “pro-choice” can be repugnant.

    I just think the likelihood that Obama as President will nominate someone for the Court who has ever uttered a single pro-life word is zero point zero percent. So his election would make the likelihood of the Court finding Constitutional protection for the unborn at any time in the next decade zero point zero percent.

    A McCain presidency doesn’t get you where you want to be, but you’re likely to be closer in four years than you would be with Obama, even if (in my opinion) four years of Obama causes the voters’ pendulums to swing back to Conservatism.

    Thanks for the reply.

  7. #507
    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:22 am, conservativesRus said:

    The issue for me is McCain has given me zero assurance by action and deed that he indeed will advocate for the life of the unborn. That he will espouse only those things for which our constitution enumerates. That he will first of all do what is good for USA. In fact, many of McCains past actions and words fly directly in the face of that. You can say “Obama is worse” - but exactly how?
    As I’ve asked before, which is better - bleeding to death by having your arms cut off or bleeding to death by having your legs cut off?

  8. #508
    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:22 am, SlimyBill said:

    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:08 am, abstractmind said:
    Fair enough.

    People all have at least one turnkey issue…that is to say, there’s always something, some detail, some policy that is a deal breaker for that person.

    for some people, its abortion. or illegal immigration. or security policy.

    I agree staying home and not voting doesnt serve anyones interest. i disagree that voting for anyone other than mccain is a wasted, or thrown away vote. the only thrown away vote is the one never cast.

    And out of my children, every one of them caved on spinish in 10 minutes or less

    10-4.

    From the Department of Glass Houses: the kid in the analogy was me; everyone else was outside playing street hockey while I stared at my spinach. Never have forgotten it.

    Back to work I go…

  9. #509
    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:22 am, alaskangrizzly said:

    You bring the rantings of open borders and abortion to my city steps. You insult caring conservatives. You threaten my people with Obama and McCain! Oh, I’ve chosen my words carefully, SlimyBill. Perhaps you should have done the same!

    is pure lunacy.

    Lunacy? This is America!

  10. #510
    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:25 am, alaskangrizzly said:

    Alright, I couldn’t resist being melodramatic myself. No harm intended SlimyBill :D

  11. #511
    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:26 am, ajmontana said:

    McCain floats a pro-choice VP trial balloon

    So far the “trial balloon” has ended up like the “missing obama pig” out here in the desert. a 100% bust. 8)

    obama pig blimp

  12. #512
    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:28 am, On-my-soap-box said:

    506 (not counting deletes) and no lgm or Rusty.

    HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

  13. #513
    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:29 am, NJ-Aviator said:

    The fact that there are more than 500 comments on this post should indicate that this is a sore subject with conservatives.

    Is this a record number of comments?

  14. #514
    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:31 am, NJ-Aviator said:

    AJ.. yes… like a lead balloon.

  15. #515
    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:33 am, abstractmind said:

    SilmyBill,

    10-4 :)

    And hey, its ok not to like spinich…i spelled it wrong earlier bc i’m used to saying it with my youngest daughter calling it that LOL, so my bad there.

    Sorry you had to watch the other kids tho, thats just a bad day :(

    I personally detest aparagus. Can’t stomach even looking at it on a plate.

  16. #516
    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:46 am, SuzEQCitizen said:

    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:25 am, alaskangrizzly said:
    Alright, I couldn’t resist being melodramatic myself. No harm intended SlimyBill

    Lovin’ alaskangrizzly more and more!

    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:29 am, NJ-Aviator said:
    The fact that there are more than 500 comments on this post should indicate that this is a sore subject with conservatives.

    Is this a record number of comments?

    Prolly not. Big mouth SuzEQ finally made open registration!

    I personally detest aparagus. Can’t stomach even looking at it on a plate.

    You. Don’t. Like. Asparagus.

  17. #517
    On August 15th, 2008 at 11:42 am, abstractmind said:

    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:46 am, SuzEQCitizen said:

    Hey, every hero has a weakness.

    I’ve eaten things that would make your head spin. I just cant handle asparagus.

  18. #518
    On August 15th, 2008 at 12:21 pm, atheling said:

    On August 15th, 2008 at 10:28 am, On-my-soap-box said:

    506 (not counting deletes) and no lgm or Rusty.

    HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

    Oh, they’re probably busy walking their talk, like volunteering to take pregnant women to abortion clinics, or even learning how to perform the abortion themselves, since they love to kill babies.

  19. #519
    On August 15th, 2008 at 2:41 pm, Joy said:

    LOLOL! I scrolled through just enough to at first think Stupid Boy decided to ‘wisely’ sit this one out. But instead he’s just changed his handle to jsmiddleton4… A Stupid Boy by any other name is just as stupid.

    I have now gone from ’still respecting’ people who choose to vote for McCain to ‘being really angry’ with them.

    If all of you who claim he is the LOTE would take a stand and voice your absolute rejection of him, they would not choose him at the Convention. But nooooooo… you idiots just jump like lemmings right over the bridge.

    You’re no different than Democrats. Congratulations! The slow simmering pot has boiled you.

  20. #520
    On August 15th, 2008 at 2:47 pm, Joy said:

    Slimy Bill and anyone else who stills erroneously believes that McCain will nominate Conservative judges to the SCOTUS. Take the blinders off your eyes already.

  21. #521
    On August 16th, 2008 at 12:48 am, ITookTheRedPill said:

    And McCain has the audacity to call himself a Reagan Republican? B.S.

    Here’s what Ronald Reagan had to say about the issue.

  22. #522
    On August 18th, 2008 at 11:55 am, ITookTheRedPill said:

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