Skittish Right Wing Sweats Talk of Pro-Choice Veep

Candidate said issue wouldn't 'rule out' possible running mate
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 15, 2008 9:06 AM CDT
Skittish Right Wing Sweats Talk of Pro-Choice Veep
Would a running mate like Sen. Joe Lieberman or former Gov. Tom Ridge, both of whose views sometimes differ from those of the GOP base, help or hurt McCain?   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

John McCain’s comment that he wouldn’t rule out Tom Ridge as a possible VP for being pro-choice sparked a flurry of panic among the conservative base—a vital group already lukewarm about McCain's party-maverick status. “That choice will end his bid for the presidency,” an activist tells Politico.

McCain aides deny such a pick is imminent: “The point that McCain was making is that people can differ on one issue and still be a vital member of our party,” says a spokesman. But despite the uproar, others say a pro-choice veep could bring in swing voters and Hillary Clinton supporters. “The right-wing is not going anywhere,” says a Democratic pollster. (More John McCain stories.)

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