Ridge Says He Would Be a Pro-Life VP
By Don | August 18, 2008
Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge said the despite his own personal pro-choice views he would support John McCain's pro-life stance if he is chosen as the vice presidential nominee.
From ABC News' Jake Tapper.
On Fox News Sunday this morning, former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge was asked about the fact that Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has discussed his being a potential running mate, even though Ridge supports abortion rights and McCain opposes them.
"Tom Ridge is one of the great leaders, and he happens to be pro-choice," McCain recently told The Weekly Standard's Stephen Hayes. "And I don't think that would necessarily rule Tom Ridge out."
Host Chris Wallace asked Ridge, "Given its long pro-life history, do you really think that the Republican Party would accept a pro-choice running mate?"
"My friend of 25 years is passionately pro-life," Ridge said. "He is also passionately a believer that the Republican Party must have a big tent. And I think, frankly, what he was just saying to the rest of the world is that we need to accept both points of view. He's not judgmental about me or my belief. He just disagrees with me. And there's no doubt in my mind, no doubt whatsoever, that ... he would have a strong pro-life administration."
Ridge added that "at the end of the day, I think the Republican Party will be comfortable with whatever John [decision] makes." He additionally noted that "the vice president is not an independent voice. He echoes the position of the president of the United States….I think that's the responsibility of the vice president. If you're unwilling or unable to do that, then I think you should defer to someone else."
Maybe this will placate some conservatives but if McCain chooses Ridge and then wins the election he will be the front runner in the future for the presidential nomination and that may be a bigger problem for them.
3 Comments | Post a Comment
I agree. If McCain is choosing his intended successor, he would send the wrong signal choosing a pro-choice VP. To me that says,“it’s my view, but it’s not that important”. It belies what he says. We need to rally Conservatives and that is not the way. I hear “neither of them are any good” way too often.to which I say..choose, because whether you like it or not, ONE of them is going to rule.
Wow… this is really something, ya know? In 30 years, the Republicans have done next to NOTHING on the abortion issue. If they think that a bit of buzz now is going to allow them to salvage the train wreck that is John McCain, I think they are really deluded.
I am about as pro-life as one gets. And I am fed up with having the empty promises of a possible reversal of Roe v. Wade/Doe v. Bolton dangled in my face. The hypocrisy has reached its brim.
Bush made a tough decision with embryonic stem cell research early on. But nothing else has promoted life… not the wars, not his judicial appointments, nor anything else. And I supported him in both elections. I don’t think I speak for everyone, but I cannot vote for McCain and look at myself in the mirror.
He is going to lose big time. Get used to it.
August 18 at 2:22 pm | #1 | Link
If John McCain wants to look to the future and keep the Republican party IN power, then he should strongly consider choosing someone for VP who will take his place at the next election who is Pro-Life, in keeping with most Conservatives, not someone who will just support McCain’s pro-life position. I wish Conservatives would be more active in voting - it is a privilege to have a voice.