Uh Oh
Written by Jack Burden on August 18th, 2008NR 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. In this scenario, McCain’s emphatic pro-life statements Saturday night and his pledge that he’ll run a “pro-life administration” would have been partly an attempt to reassure conservatives in the event of a pro-choice pick.
[UPDATE - YellowJacket]: Erick at RedState tries to allay the fears, and argues that there’s no way McCain and his advisers would make such a dastardly decision.
19
AM
John McCain: grabbing defeat from the jaws of victory…after “winning” Saturday’s Saddleback forum, he still doesn’t get it…
19
AM
This would be a very bad call on McCain’s part, right when a lot of conservatives are coming around to him. Don’t do it.
19
AM
“[T]here’s no way McCain and his advisers would make such a dastardly decision.”
Wanna bet?
Ridge, Giuliani, or…
Joe Lieberman???
19
AM
Please, John, do it, so that in November of this year the GOP will finally get the message that they can’t take conservatives’ votes for granted. That they can’t treat conservatives the way the Dems treat blacks.
I’m begging you, Jackie boy. Do it.
Best refutation of Erickson’s argument? He calls McCain “smart.” Wow. Remind me never to believe a thing Erickson ever says.
19
PM
McCain is smart, but he is really impulsive. He might call a press conference in the middle of the night and tell us who his choice is after dragging them out of their home.
19
PM
If McCain choose a pro-abortion running mate the Constitution Party will have major opportunity to capitalize on. What is Barr/Root’s position on abortion?