Ever since John McCain suggested last week that he was open to the possibility of naming a pro-choice running mate, perhaps someone like Tom Ridge, the reaction from the Right has been consistent and nearly unanimous agreement that doing so would be an utter disaster.
But apparently there are some in the GOP who still think it would be a good idea if McCain tapped someone like Ridge … Tom Ridge, for one:
Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge said Sunday he thinks Republicans would accept a vice presidential candidate who supports abortion rights.
But, he said, whomever John McCain picks as a running mate should defer to McCain on the issue.
McCain opposes abortion rights, but he riled some conservatives last week when he suggested his running mate could — like Ridge — support abortion rights.
"What he was saying to the rest of the world is that we need to accept both points of view," Ridge said in a broadcast interview. "He's not judgmental about me or my belief. He just disagrees with me."
Ridge is believed to be on McCain's short list of vice presidential candidates, though it would be a major break with Republican orthodoxy for McCain to pick a running mate who supports abortion rights.
"I think that would be up to, first of all, to John to decide whether he wants a pro-choice running mate; then we would have to see how the Republican Party would rally around it," Ridge said. "At the end of the day, I think the Republican Party will be comfortable with whatever choice John makes."
