Meet the Real McCain: In Their Own Words

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In Their Own Words

Think the McCain-Palin ticket is moderate when it comes to a woman's right to choose? Think again.

Here are some of the statements McCain has made about choice.

In response to a question about abortion posed by Pastor Rick Warren, McCain responded that he believes life begins "at the moment of conception." He continued, "I have a 25-year pro-life record in the Congress, in the Senate. And as president of the United States, I will be a pro-life president and this presidency will have pro-life policies. That's my commitment, that's my commitment to you."
[Transcript, Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency, August 16, 2008. http://www.rickwarrennews.com/transcript/civil_forum_transcript-05.txt]
Sen. McCain told Chris Matthews, "the rights of the unborn is one of my most important values."
[Transcript, Hardball with Chris Matthews, April 15, 2008.]
"I’m proud that we have Justice Alito and Roberts on the United States Supreme Court. I’m very proud to have played a very small role in making that happen." McCain explained further that he "will try to find clones of Alito and Roberts" to fill future court vacancies.
[Transcript, Republican Presidential Candidates Participate in a Debate, May 3, 2007, and Carl Tobias, On judges, don’t doubt McCain’s conservatism: He pledges to appoint clones of Alito and Roberts, Christian Science Monitor, February 11, 2008.]
"If I am fortunate enough to be elected as the next President of the United States, I pledge to you to be a loyal and unswerving friend of the right to life movement."
[Statement by Sen. McCain read by Sen. Sam Brownback at the March for Life in Washington, DC, January 22, 2008. http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=26539 (accessed January 30, 2008.)]
On the Federal Abortion Ban, Sen. McCain said, "Today's Supreme Court ruling is a victory for those who cherish the sanctity of life and integrity of the judiciary. The ruling ensures that an unacceptable and unjustifiable practice will not be carried out on our innocent children. It also clearly speaks to the importance of nominating and confirming strict constructionist judges who interpret the law as it is written, and do not usurp the authority of Congress and state legislatures. As we move forward, it is critically important that our party continues to stand on the side of life."
[Press release, April 18, 2007 (accessed February 4, 2008). http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/News/PressReleases/f96d220f-b10d-48fe-aee9-d69c0d2802c3.htm]
Sen. McCain said that he has supported "the rights of the unborn" for 24 years "without changing, without wavering."
[Michael Finnegan, Republicans Enter the Ring in Iowa; At a Key Party Dinner, Frontrunners for the Presidential Nomination Take a Beating From Lesser-Known Rivals, L.A. Times, April 15, 2007.]
When asked about whether he supported supplying condoms to Africa to assist in the fight against HIV/AIDS, McCain had the following exchange with a reporter:
Reporter: "What about grants for sex education in the United States? Should they include instructions about using contraceptives? Or should it be Bush’s policy, which is just abstinence?"
Mr. McCain: (Long pause) "Ahhh. I think I support the president’s policy.
Reporter: "So no contraception, no counseling on contraception. Just abstinence. Do you think contraceptives help stop the spread of HIV?"
Mr. McCain: (Long pause) "You've stumped me."
[Adam Nagourney, McCain Stumbles on H.I.V. Prevention, The New York Times, March 16, 2007.]
Discussing his pro-life voting record, McCain said, "I have many, many votes and it's been consistent. And I've got a consistent zero from NARAL throughout all those years... [M]y record is clear. And I think the important thing is you look at people's voting record because sometimes rhetoric can be a little... misleading.... As you know I don't support Roe v. Wade... I thought it was a bad decision, and I think that the decision should be made in the states."
[Transcript, The Full McCain: An Interview, National Review, March 5, 2007. http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=MTMxOWRkYjgyNDhjOTU5ZTY2OWU2ZTg2ZmUxMzQ1NjQ=]
"I do not support Roe v. Wade. It should be overturned."
[Ann Althouse, Rudy & Mitt Hem & Haw on Abortion, The New York Times, February 24, 2007.]
Sen. McCain's 2008 presidential campaign website states that he "believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned."
[John McCain for President 2008 campaign website, On the Issues: Human Dignity and the Sanctity of Life (accessed February 4, 2008.) http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/95b18512-d5b6-456e-90a2-12028d71df58.htm]

And here's what Palin has said:

The following exchange occurred during Charles Gibson's interview with Gov. Palin:
Gibson: Roe v. Wade. Do you think it should be reversed?
Palin: I think it should....
Gibson: John McCain would allow abortion on cases of rape and incest. You believe in it only in the case where the life of the mother is -- is endangered.
Palin: That is my personal opinion.
Gibson: Would you change and accept it in rape and incest?
Palin: My personal opinion is that abortion allowed if the life of the mother is endangered.
[Transcript, Charles Gibson interview with Sarah Palin, 20/20, September 12, 2008 (accessed September 15, 2008). http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002950353]
"Alaskans know I am pro-life and have never wavered in my belief in the sanctity of every human life."
[Palin responds to expanded call request willing to consider separate call, State News Service (AK), April 23, 2008.]
"And you know, it's no secret that I'm pro-life. And I don't hide that, nor am I ashamed of that, and I am pro-life."
[Alaska Governor's Debate, November 2, 2006.]
In her 2002 bid for lieutenant governor, Palin said in an e-mail to Alaska Right to Life Board that she was as "pro-life as any candidate can be" and has "adamantly supported our cause since I first understood, as a child, the atrocity of abortion."
[Kyle Hopkins, Same-sex unions, drugs get little play; Governor's race: Gas line leaves no room to talk on other hot issues, Anchorage Daily News, August 6, 2008.]