Conservatives Warn McCain Against Abortion-Supporting Running Mate

As speculation grows around who John McCain will select as his vice presidential candidate next week, GOP pundits are urging the presumptive presidential nominee not to pick a running mate who supports abortion rights. Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge is said to be on McCain’s short list, and is the only candidate who is explicit in his support for abortion rights. The National Review reported Monday that the McCain campaign has been calling key state Republican officials around the country in recent days to weigh the consequences of picking a candidate who backs abortion rights. The conservative magazine interpreted that as a sign that the McCain campaign is seriously considering Ridge or another abortion rights defender. “I think it’s a hard sell and I don’t see much upside to Tom Ridge except for John McCain likes him a lot,” National Review Editor Rich Lowry told Fox News Tuesday. “I don’t think he’s going to be a big benefit in ... (link)