GOP Base 'Imploring' McCain: No Pro-Choice VP

(NEWSER) - John McCain's campaign has been pitching the idea of a pro-choice running mate to key state GOP officials around the country, reports the National Review. McCain wants to know how hostile conservative grass-roots activists would be and whether he can win their support if he selects a pro-choice VP such as ex-homeland security secretary Tom Ridge. More»

Picking Palin locked in base, but others might've drawn voters McCain really needs

(NEWSER) - Given the damage Sarah Palin has done to John McCain’s chances, Steve Kornacki, in the New York Observer, joins Republicans in wondering about the also-rans. Tom Ridge, Joe Lieberman, and Mitt Romney were unpalatable, either personally to the candidate or politically to the party. The first two would have drawn “middle-of-the road voters whose support he has steadily lost this fall— thanks in no small part to Palin.” More»

(NEWSER) - John McCain would consider a run for the White House with a pro-choice veep at his side, ABC News reports. When asked about Tom Ridge, McCain told the Weekly Standard that the former Homeland Security chief shouldn’t be “ruled out” for the No. 2 job because he supports abortion rights. Dem-turned-Independent Joe Lieberman, another McCain short-lister, is also pro-choice. More»

Cable details 2009 meeting

(NEWSER) - John McCain may be talking tough about Libya these days, but back in 2009 he promised Muatassim Gadhafi—Moammar’s fifth son and his national security adviser—that he’d do what he could to help Libya obtain military supplies, particularly new aircraft, a cable released by WikiLeaks reveals. McCain met with Gadhafi along with such Senate notables as Lindsey Graham, Susan Collins, and Joe Lieberman, but the cable indicates that McCain did most of the talking, Politico reports. More»

Looks like Dems have missed their chance again

(NEWSER) - This week’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell hearings were typical of Washington lately: “The Democrats waited too long to close the deal, the president showed no leadership, and a campaign promise that was seen as a fait accompli now seems a casualty,” writes Maureen Dowd in the New York Times . Meanwhile, that "erratic and intolerant" "Arizona old-timer" John McCain inexplicably battled to prevent repeal, though even his own family and bosom buddy Joe Lieberman support it. More»