I am nobody. I know that. I’m one red vote in the likely blue state of Pennsylvania. But just speaking for this one individual voter I can say there is no way I can support John McCain if he selects former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge as his Vice President.
And I don’t think I’m alone.
According to Newsmax, Republican presidential candidate John McCain on Wednesday floated the prospect of picking a running mate who supports abortion rights and cited former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge as someone worth considering.
“I think that the pro-life position is one of the important aspects or fundamentals of the Republican Party,” McCain said in an interview with The Weekly Standard.
“And also I feel that — and I’m not trying to equivocate here — that Americans want us to work together,” McCain added. “You know, Tom Ridge is one of the great leaders and he happens to be pro-choice. And I don’t think that that would necessarily would rule Tom Ridge out.”
Here’s the deal. Abortion is why I’m a Republican. Sure, I believe lower taxes brings more economic prosperity to everyone. I definitely believe in a strong national security. But for me, if I can’t count on Republicans to be pro-life, I’m out. I pick up my one vote and I go where I’m wanted.
If Ridge were selected I would not fear that the Republican Party would lose. I would fear that they would win. Voting a pro-choice Republican into the White House would send a message to the Party that the road to success is in “moderating” the party’s stance on abortion. And pro-lifers would, in the end, have to look to another party for representation.
I’ve been involved in politics for a while now. I covered politics as a reporter and more recently I’ve managed political campaigns. I know that there are two Republican parties which coexist with a friendly unease. I know that depending on which Republican committeeman I speak with I have to speak about different issues. And I don’t mix it up. Ever. Talking about abortion to a “fiscal conservative” is like speaking about cheeseburgers to a vegetarian.
The fiscal conservatives loudly whisper among themselves that if they could only shuttle away those nutty pro-lifers the Republican party would never lose. They often ask if the party put up a “moderate” candidate, where else could the pro-lifers go but the ballot box for a Republican. Their logic states that pro-lifers are certainly not going to vote for a Democrat. That’s true. But the truth is also that they’d stay home. Just like they did in 2006. Many simply wouldn’t vote.
When I went around looking for volunteers for walking door-to-door on Saturday mornings during campaign season, the fiscal conservatives would always “consider it.” They’d ask for my card. They’d put my cell phone number into their Blackberry. And they’d never show up. They’d never call. When we called for a donation they’d ask who else gave. If you had the right names on your donor list, they gave. If not, they asked for your card and put their number in their Blackberry.
So many of the pro-lifers are the dependable volunteers and donors of this party. Every local party official knows there’s a group of people who are willing to do the heavy lifting for the party and very often those folks are pro-lifers. The pro-life community is the lifeblood of the Republican Party. When you ask for a donation, they don’t ask who else gave. They want to know the candidate’s position on abortion.
If the party seeks to “moderate” it stance on abortion, they’ll get better press. There will be unanimity at all the Republican cocktail parties. The pro-lifers won’t be there.
If Tom Ridge is in the ticket, the Republican Party can take my card and put my number in their blackberry. I’ll get back to them.
August 16, 2008 at 2:36 am
McCain’s lost my vote for even considering Ridge. How can I trust him to appoint conservative judges? And yeah, I live in New York so what does it matter who I vote for anyway…..
August 16, 2008 at 3:32 am
You are right, Daddio. An Obama presidency would be a short term loss. Just as if I were shot through the aorta I would sustain a short term loss – of my entire blood volume in less than 5 minutes. Short term and fatal. Sorry to be so blunt, but this is a very serious matter. Kit. P.S. I am registering my displeasure to the McCain campaign re the prospect of Mr. Ridge or any other pro-abort running mate.
August 16, 2008 at 4:06 am
P.P.S. I just got off of the McCain website. I sent them a clear message re the running mate as above – and sent it with a contribution. I have a clear conscience about it. I think that anyone who is prolife, profamily, and proAmerica can support McCain in his contest with Obama. Regardless of the running mate, McCain is so far ahead of Obama on moral issues that the choice is clear. K
August 16, 2008 at 4:25 am
K, I respect your opinion. It’s a difficult one. But I truly believe if we elect a pro-choice Veep, our days of being a force in the party are over.
And Roe will remain the law of the land.
August 16, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Sorry to keep beating a dead horse, Matthew, but if Obama is elected president for even one term, he very likely will be able to appoint a few judges to the Supreme Court. They will undoubtedly be young and very very liberal. After Scalia is gone, there will only be three right- thinking judges left. I respect your opinion, too: I almost share it. But I think it is too risky. For now I will do everything I can to try to convince McCain et al. to run a prolife conservative. That includes some money and lots of prayers. Thanks, Kit
August 16, 2008 at 4:47 pm
If McCain picks a pro-abortion veep, I’m voting 3rd party.
Alan Keys or Bob Barr anyone?
August 16, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Tito,
I’m with you on Bob Barr. The Libertarian ticket, while not expressly pro-life, has put forward a pro-life candidate in Barr, one who is solid on that issue in terms of leaving it to the will of the people (not to a militant judiciary or an invasive federal government), who have time and again demonstrated that they are pro-life. I say we should stop voting against people and actually find someone to vote FOR – then we might actually find some real representation in Washington.
August 16, 2008 at 8:05 pm
When Bernardine Dohrn is sworn in as a Supreme Court Justice, I’m going to send you all a Thank You card. Kit
August 19, 2008 at 3:41 am
As another red vote in the likely blue state of PA, I would just like to urge everyone who has commented and who is (rightly) ticked off at McCain to LOUDLY and FREQUENTLY tell his campaign how you feel. Call them more than once and let them know that you’ll be staying home if he picks a pro-abort VP. And, of course, pray!
I have to admit that I’d probably vote for him with my nose held even if he did pick Ridge–I think McCain would do more good for the country than Obama. Rather than weigh the “lesser of two evils” I think it is better to ask which candidate will do more good (even if limited good) for the country. On a number of fronts, McCain seems to me the better choice. Far from perfect, but better.
But let’s definitely tell him what we think about his choice for VP!
–Elizabeth B.
August 19, 2008 at 9:39 pm
I’m with Kit and Elizabeth B. I’ll take my chances anyday with the approach of LOUDLY and FREQUENTLY pressuring a McCain White House vs. the shut out we’ll face with Obama in the White House with both houses of congress AND the media in his pocket. Make no mistake – a vote for Barr or any other 3rd party is a vote to get Obama elected. With Supreme Court justice picks on the line, this won’t be a short term bump in the road – an Obama victory will have a serious and lasting impact in our current culture war. McCain hasn’t even picked a Veep candidate yet and we’re ready to concede the election by staying home or throwing away our votes? We’re in this fight for the long haul, inch by inch and it will never be easy. To be blunt, I think taking our marbles and going home is a cop out. McCain was pretty much my last choice too, but that’s no reason to fold the hand we’ve been dealt. The church does in fact support a vote for the lessor of 2 evils if that’s the best path for the journey. We’re stronger together and I’ll take my chances that we’ll be more effective influencing the McCain camp than we’d ever have with an Obamessiah. SD