Uh-Oh, McCain: Tom Ridge Told Fox Today "GOP Would Accept Abortion Rights VP"

[writes3000]

Looks like Ridge may have stepped on McCain's fundie momentum this morning.

WASHINGTON - Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge said Sunday he thinks Republicans would accept a vice presidential candidate who supports abortion rights.

But, he said, whomever John McCain picks as a running mate should defer to McCain on the issue.

McCain opposes abortion rights, but he riled some conservatives last week when he suggested his running mate could — like Ridge — support abortion rights.

"What he was saying to the rest of the world is that we need to accept both points of view," Ridge said in a broadcast interview. "He's not judgmental about me or my belief. He just disagrees with me."

Ridge is believed to be on McCain's short list of vice presidential candidates, though it would be a major break with Republican orthodoxy for McCain to pick a running mate who supports abortion rights.

"I think that would be up to, first of all, to John to decide whether he wants a pro-choice running mate; then we would have to see how the Republican Party would rally around it," Ridge said. "At the end of the day, I think the Republican Party will be comfortable with whatever choice John makes."


news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080817/ap_on_el_pr/ridge_abortion

[gateley]

1. I think McCain was trying to put the kibosh on that last night with his

firm statement that his would be a pro-LIFE administration.

EDIT - I actually typed "pro choice". Man, how wrong was that?!?

[Spouting Horn]

4. McCain cannot claim to

be pro-choice, considering his record.

The GOP picking a pro-choice VP nominee would be good for Democrats, as it would rupture the GOP.

[writes3000]

5. But Ridge said this, this morning. More trouble for the Republicans.

I'm sure the fundies will start screaming bloody murder now.

Which will push McCain further to the right.

[qazplm]

6. or maybe

trying to be extra loud about being anti choice so that he can then feel more free to pick ridge?

[gateley]

7. I don't think he'd risk picking Ridge --especially since the fundies

grasped him so enthusiastically to their bosom last night.

[Muttocracy]

11. did you mean pro-life admin? nt

[gateley]

12. Ha! I'm going to go back and change it now! What a screw up! nt

[Motown_Johnny]

2. This just shows how fucked the GOP is when it comes to picking a VP. All the choices suck

[saltpoint]

3. From an electoral college point of view, Ridge loses McCain more

states than he might win, and IMO there's not even any assurance Ridge would give McCain Pennsylvania.

I thought that choosing Ridge flashes a preview of a security- and terra-heavy campaign theme for the Republicans -- in other words frightening the electorate that an attack is imminent with mysterious help from the Bush administration and the FOX propaganda machine --

-- but the fundies just don't seem likely to buy a pro-choice veep. Especially with McCain so long of tooth. Long of tooth, short on truth.

[Gabi Hayes]

9. ''Long of tooth, short on truth.''

is that yours?

copyright it, quick!

if only the dems had the balls of the pugs....this would be the theme of their campaign

get that out to somebody who can make it go viral....SOONEST!

start a thread on it, please!

[globalvillage]

8. I hope McCain picks Ridge

His color-coded terror chart and the timing of the alerts was a fraud perpetrated on the American people. That reminder could be all we need to take McCain down.

If McCain picks Ridge that color coded hoax will be everywhere.

[zulchzulu]

10. Ridge admitted that the Terror Alerts were a scam, hence torpedoing his whole security cred

I welcome McCain to stop into that quicksand pond.

[saltpoint]

13. Speak for yourself, America-hater! As soon as Ridge did those

press conferences, I duck-taped every inch of the goddam house.

- - - -

Good morning. Agree. Ridge is damaged goods. And he's not exactly the most charismatic soul who ever stood in front of a microphone, either.

There's a distinctly Neadertahlian aspect to the guy.

[globalvillage]

14. But OC, if it's not Ridge, what will I do with this?

Please, oh please let it be Ridge. He sucks so.

[saltpoint]

16. O wow, that one is too much!

Who needs pick-up lines when you have a blanket like that!

[thewiseguy]

15. McCain was very clear about a pro life administration

Did Ridge even listen?