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Any Republican candidate who embraces pro-choice politics will automatically lose support among faithful Catholics, while gaining practically nothing in return, because the liberals who care most about the abortion issue are almost 100% Democrats.
Dismay and astonishment, then, are the only possible reaction to this news from National Review:
NR has learned that the McCain campaign has been calling key state GOP officials around the country the last couple of days and sounding them out about the consequences of a pro-choice VP pick. The campaign is asking about the reaction of conservative grass-roots activists to such a pick and whether a pro-choicer can be sold to them. This is an indication that the McCain campaign is serious about the possibility of a pro-choice VP nominee and that McCain leaving the door open to Tom Ridge last week may not have been merely a friendly nod to a longtime supporter.Even to suggest that Ridge would be considered for VP is a political blunder by the McCain campaign. What, exactly, does Ridge add to the McCain ticket? Are they afraid of losing the "boring old guy" vote?
McCain brings enough seniority and national-security cred for the ticket. What he needs is a fresh, energetic, popular domestic-policy guy -- Pawlenty or Jindal. It's important for McCain to have a young CONSERVATIVE running mate, to reassure conservatives about the future of the Republican Party in the post-McCain era.
Floating Ridge's name with state party officials is attempted political suicide.
I'm a Pro-Choice Republican, and I think you're right: Ridge would be a poor choice. For precisely the reason you posit: McCain's already got the boring old white guy vote.
ReplyDeleteThough, there is one area where Ridge shines - Tough on Terrorism 9/11 credentials.
At least he wouldn't be as bad a pick as Rob Portman or Tim Pawlenty. Major, major Snooze on those two fronts.
As a Barr supporter, I guess I should be hoping that McCain does go the boring route with Portman, Pawylenty or Ridge. If McCain chooses anyone of them, and shuns Palin, Romney or some other exciting choice, instant boost in the polls for Libertarian Bob Barr.
It won't be Palin. And not to start an argument about underlying issue, but the right of liberty is antecedent to the right of life. The dignity of the individual is involved.
ReplyDeleteArguments about the legal status of abortion ought not to obscure the moral issue. Abortion is a very bad thing, whether it is legal or not, and we ought never to hesitate to speak truth, merely because of political considerations, or because the truth is unpopular.