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MCCAIN: WON'T SAY "ROE," WILL SAY "BROWNBACK."
In a speech Tuesday on his strategy for appointing conservative judges, John McCain failed to mention Roe v. Wade. As you should already know, McCain has said time and time again this election cycle that the ruling should be overturned. And if you still believe he's a centrist moderate on social issues, consider the co-chair of his recently-announced "Justice Advisory Committee": Sen. Sam Brownback. Brownback is the man who believes abortion should be illegal in every single circumstance, even when the woman's life or health is at risk, and even in cases of rape or incest. Here's the full list of committee members. Do you spy a pro-choicer among them?
--Dana Goldstein
COMMENTS (5)
And yet John Kerry was considering him for running mate in 2004; really makes you question Kerry's judgement everywhere.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 8, 2008 3:30 PM
Anonymous, I think it reflects less on Kerry's judgment than on Kerry's desperation to win. Remember, in 2004, John McCain was the most popular politician in America, widely perceived as a moderate by those in the center and center-left, and hailed as a war hero by all. Kerry probably thought that adding McCain to his ticket would guarantee a victory in the fall.
Posted by: The Caped Composer | May 8, 2008 6:30 PM
Maybe Eugene Volokh is a pro-choicer. He's a libertarian, not a con. But I don't know.
Posted by: Joe S. | May 8, 2008 9:43 PM
I guess we'll have to disagree, TCC (though I love a cape!). To me, John Kerry is like importing horse breath at a high premium.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 8, 2008 11:09 PM
McCain has always been reliably right-wing on social issues. Where he differs from the Brownback types is that he's not angry about it, nor is there any particular evidence that he considers it a priority. We already know what McCain's priorities as President will be: veto spending bills and fight the war. Maybe take on the odd crusade on some domestic issue that's got his dander up that week.
As for what kind of justices he'll appoint, probably Roberts and Alito types. There's no deception here. This is who he is.
Posted by: Adam Herman | May 9, 2008 3:17 AM