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JOHN McCAIN REPEATS STANCE: ROE ABORTION CASE A "BAD DECISION," OVERTURN IT
Washington, DC -- With all the hoopla of the Democratic and Republican conventions and the selection of pro-life running mate Sarah Palin, a McCain statement on abortion appears to have gone unnoticed. Glamour magazine indicates John McCain repeated his position that Roe v. Wade should be reversed. The women's magazine conducted an interview with the presidential hopeful on July 30 and included the abortion-related clip on its web site on August 30. Asked whether he would "actively seek the demise of Roe v. Wade," McCain confirmed that and said he will not change from that stance. "So let me make my point clear again. I thought that Roe v. Wade was a bad decision, and I continue to believe that," he told the magazine. "That's my position." The magazine attempted to ask a follow-up, but McCain interrupted and restated his position again. "No, no. That's my position. And that will remain my position," he confirmed. McCain's campaign web site has indicated for many months that the Arizona senator wants to overturn Roe and allow states a chance at legally protecting women and unborn children. "John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned, and as president he will nominate judges who understand that courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench," it says.
Source: LifeNews.com, September 12, 2008

JOHN McCAIN WILL NOT CHANGE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S PRO-LIFE PLATFORM ON ABORTION
Minneapolis, MN -- The McCain campaign confirmed on Thursday that presidential candidate John McCain will not touch the Republican Party's platform that calls for legal protection for unborn children from abortion. In years past, McCain had wanted minor changes to allow for exceptions in cases of rape or incest. McCain spokesman Brian Rogers told ABC News that McCain will not get involved in the platform debate. Instead, he will leave it to the platform committee, which is composed mostly of pro-life advocates, to draw up the language in that section of the party's statement of its views. "There's a process in place for the delegates to work on the platform and we are going to let that process work itself out," Rogers said. McCain campaign spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker confirmed the news in an email to the Wall St. Journal. "The delegates are going through the process and we are going to let them work their will on the platform," she said. The decision is no surprise given that McCain aides said in April he wouldn't weaken the platform's position against abortion. "Do you think we are crazy? Why would we want to change the platform?" an unnamed advisor told the Washington Times at the time. During a March interview with Fox News Channel's Hannity and Colmes, McCain replied with a short "yes" that he would keep the abortion platform as it stands now.
Source: LifeNews.com, August 21, 2008

STOPPING ABORTIONS, PROTECTING HUMAN LIFE NOT ABOVE A PRESIDENT'S PAY GRADE
by Deal Hudson --  It's a truism that anyone running for President shouldn't answer a question by saying "that's above my pay grade."  After all, if you want to occupy the White House there is no higher pay grade – you are the boss, and the buck stops with you.  But Barack Obama used precisely that expression when asked by Rick Warren when life begins. Obama said, "Whether you're looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity . . . is above my pay grade." How can a man who has voted three times on the Born Again Infant Protection Act be unable to answer that question with "specificity." Does he mean that he voted against BAIPA without having an answer to that question?  You would think someone casting a vote on BAIPA would know where he stands on when a human life begins. Otherwise, what is he basing his vote upon? What factor is more important? Obama made the telling mistake of pitting the truth of science against the truth of theology. That remark is almost more disturbing than his unwillingness to reveal his opinion on a matter of great importance to most Americans.  He evidently thinks there are two truths in contradiction to each other. And his implication is clear: Theology teaches life begins at conception, but science sees it differently.  Wait a minute; isn't this supposed to be the faith-friendly Democratic candidate for president? Why would Obama throw theology under the science bus?
Source: LifeNews.com, August 19, 2008
(LifeNews.com Note: Deal W. Hudson is the director of the Morley Institute for Church & Culture and InsideCatholic.com, and is the former publisher and editor of CRISIS Magazine, a Catholic monthly. He is the author of six books and his articles and comments have been published in many newspapers and magazines.)

GOP OFFICIALS SAY JOHN McCAIN WILL NOT PICK PRO-ABORTION RUNNING MATE
Washington, DC -- John McCain has reportedly confirmed he will not be picking a running mate who takes a pro-abortion position and has ruled out former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, whom media outlets promoted as a possibility. McCain aides told Republican Party officials of the decision and they confirmed it to Fox News. The aides and officials indicated that McCain “got the message” from pro-life advocates that picking an abortion advocate like Ridge was non-negotiable and could cost him votes.
Source: LifeNews.com, August 19, 2008

PRO-LIFE EXPERT ON POPULATION ISSUES SAYS McCAIN BETTER ON ABORTION THAN OBAMA
Washington, DC -- A leading pro-life expert on population issues says he strongly favors John McCain for president because there is a significant contrast between his abortion position and Barack Obama's. They say voters concerned about pro-life issues have an easy choice this November.  In an article sent to LifeNews.com, Colin Mason, the media director for the Population Research Institute, says this is a "pivotal election for the pro-life movement" because of the position of the Supreme Court.  For pro-life advocates, overturning Roe and allowing states to ban abortions has been a decades-long goal and some say the court is just one vote away from doing that.  "The Supreme Court is currently effectively deadlocked on the life issues," Mason says, but with its abortion advocates aging and judicial appointments to be made, the Supreme Court is perhaps the highest priority.  "If a pro-lifer were to take the White House in 2009, he would have the opportunity to fill up to three Supreme Court seats with judges who share his views, creating a strong majority on the court," he explains.
Source: LifeNews.com, August 19, 2008

JOHN McCAIN CAMPAIGN LOOKING AT PRO-LIFE VIRGINIA CONGRESSMAN FOR VP
Washington, DC -- John McCain's presidential campaign has reportedly asked for legal papers from pro-life Rep. Eric Cantor, a Virginia congressman to consider him as a potential running mate. Both McCain and pro-abortion presidential candidate Barack Obama are looking at numerous possible vice-presidential picks. Cantor has a strong pro-life voters record, earning a 100% mark from the National Right to Life Committee. Cantor has voted against both abortion as well as making taxpayers fund embryonic stem cell research that destroys human life. Cantor is the chief deputy minority whip in the House, a Republican leadership position, but is otherwise not well known outside of his home state. Cantor is Jewish and, if he becomes McCain's running mate and McCain wins the presidential election, he would be the first Jewish vice-president. Cantor as a running mate would help McCain reach out to Jewish voters -- traditionally a Democratic group -- who aren't supporting Obama at historic levels. As LifeNews.com noted previously, a new survey finds McCain faring better than President Bush did in the 2000 and 2004 elections with Jewish voters. The poll found just 58 percent of Jewish voters said they would definitely vote for Obama and another four percent leaning his direction. Conversely, former candidates Al Gore and Bill Clinton both drew nearly 80 percent of the Jewish vote while John Kerry garnered more than 75 percent in 2004.
Source: LifeNews, August 4, 2008

NEW HAMPSHIRE PRO-LIFE GROUP ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN, CITES PRO-LIFE RECORD
Concord, NH -- A leading pro-life group in New Hampshire is squarely in Senator John McCain's corner and has issued an endorsement for his presidential bid. New Hampshire Citizens for Life joins pro-life groups in states from California and Wisconsin to Pennsylvania and Wyoming in backing McCain. Citizens for Life director Roger Stenson tells LifeNews.com that the group's political action committee strongly supports McCain over pro-abortion rival Barack Obama. He calls McCain a "strong pro-life candidate" who has engaged in "proven action demonstrating [his] conviction on behalf of unborn babies." Stenson also said McCain is "a man of dignity, character, and courage" and pointed out he has "a 100 percent pro-life voting record on abortion." The pro-life group backed McCain in part because of the battle over the Supreme Court and the knowledge that the next president will likely determine the fate of abortion for another 35 years. "Senator McCain has also clearly stated he would appoint to the federal bench, including the Supreme Court, men and women who exhibit understanding and respect for the Constitution, such as Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Scalia," Stenson said. "The next President will very likely have a huge effect on the composition of the Supreme Court."
Source: LifeNews, August 4, 2008

SUPREME COURT, ABORTION IN THE BALANCE: OBAMA AND McCAIN SPLIT ON JUDGES
Opinion - As promised Monday, today we start a series of Today's News and Views which will convince anyone willing to listen to the facts that Sen. Barack Obama is pro-abortion to the hilt and that Sen. John McCain has never been given proper credit for his 100% voting record on abortion.  When pro-lifers think about the importance of presidential elections, near the very top of the list is the kind of Supreme Court nominee the candidate would send to the Senate. (Lower court appointments are also hugely important.)  The National Journal's Stuart Taylor provided a comprehensive look at this very question last week. (See www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/cs_20080726_6164.php) "Among the starkest contrasts between John McCain and Barack Obama is the dramatic difference in their promised approaches to judicial appointments, especially to the closely divided Supreme Court." His analysis is not without flaws. But, while some of the strokes are smudged, Taylor does essentially get the big picture right. Let me list the most important conclusions.
(LifeNews.com Note: Dave Andrusko is the editor of National Right to Life News and an author and editor of several books on abortion topics. He frequently writes Today's News and Views -- an online editorial column on pro-life issues).

JOHN McCAIN'S REMARKS ON ABORTION IN SPEECH TO NATIONAL PRO-LIFE CONVENTION
Thank you for inviting me to address the 2008 National Right to Life Convention, I'm sorry I'm not able to be there in person to address you. More than two-hundred years ago our nation's founders declared, that we are endowed by our Creator, with certain and unalienable rights, and that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It was no accident, that they cited life as the first, and most basic right.  For without recognition of the right to life, we are not guaranteed any other rights. Sometimes all wisdom asks of us, is that we recognize common-sense. But sometimes wisdom, as to all other virtues requires courage.
(LifeNews.com Note: The following is the text of Senator John McCain's remarks to the National Right to Life convention earlier this month. You can read LifeNews.com's coverage of McCain's speech to the pro-life event here).

OHIO RIGHT TO LIFE ENDORSES JOHN McCAIN, ONLY ELECTABLE PRO-LIFE CANDIDATE
Columbus, OH -- Ohio Right to Life is the next state pro-life group to stand behind John McCain for president over his pro-abortion rival Barack Obama. The group says McCain is strongly pro-life on abortion and the only pro-life candidate with a realistic chance of sitting in the White House. “McCain is the only dedicated and electable pro-life candidate for President this year," ORTL executive director Mike Gonidakis told LifeNews.com Tuesday. "He has defended the unborn from abortion for three decades in Congress," Gonidakis added. The state pro-life leader said Obama's pro-abortion position is a night and day difference because Obama supports unlimited abortions paid for at taxpayers' expense. "The glaring difference between Senator McCain’s strong pro-life record versus Senator Obama’s support for abortion on demand should serve as a wakeup call to everyone who believes in our mission,” he said. Gonidakis said McCain pointed out his own pro-life stances on overturning Roe v. Wade and supporting various pro-life legislation when he spoke to attendees at the recent National Right to Life convention. “I am pro-life because I know what it is like to live without human rights, where human life is accorded no inherent value," McCain said in a special video statement. "And I know that I have a personal obligation to advocate human rights wherever they are denied…even in our own country, when we fail to respect the inherent dignity of all human life, born or unborn.”
Source: LifeNews, July 15, 2008

BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA SLAMS JOHN McCAIN FOR OPPOSING ABORTION, ACTIVIST JUDGES
Washington, DC -- With pro-life advocates and John McCain's campaign criticizing his position in favor of unlimited abortions, Barack Obama struck back on Thursday. The Illinois senator put forward an absolutist position in favor of abortion and attacked McCain for wanting judges who don't make law from the bench. "I will never back down in defending a woman's right to choose," Obama said at a breakfast fundraiser with an internal campaign group called "Women for Obama." "That's what's at stake," Obama added, referring to control of the Supreme Court and whether abortion will remain legal and without limits for another 35 years. "Senator McCain has made it abundantly clear that he wants to appoint justices like Roberts and Alito -- and that he hopes to see Roe overturned," Obama said, according to an AP report. "I stand by my votes against confirming Justices Roberts and Alito."
Source: LifeNews, July 10, 2008

McCAIN CAMPAIGN TAKES BARACK OBAMA TO TASK ON SHIFTING ABORTION POSITION
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- In one of its first attacks on Barack Obama over the issue of abortion, the McCain campaign on Tuesday criticized the candidate for apparently flip-flopping on late-term abortions. The McCain team pointed out Obama's recent comments on mental health exceptions and how they violate his positions.
Source: LifeNews, July 8, 2008

LIVING THE PRO-LIFE MESSAGE: JOHN McCAIN'S ADOPTION MAKES HIS VIEWS REAL
I learned something new about John McCain this week.
I knew that he and his wife had an adopted daughter and that Cindy McCain had brought her home as an infant after visiting Mother Teresa in India.
What I did not know was that when they brought their little girl back to care for her and save her life, they brought back another little girl as well. She was adopted by one of McCain's aides. The story in the Jerusalem Post reads:
Source: LifeNews, July 7, 2008

LEADING PRO-ABORTION GROUP CONTINUES ATTACK ON JOHN McCAIN ON ABORTION, BIRTH CONTROL
Washington, DC -- Leading pro-abortion group NARAL is continuing its attacks on John McCain in the latest fundraising email sent to its donors and the attacks focus on abortion and birth control. NARAL, which has already endorsed pro-abortion presidential candidate Barack Obama, says McCain is unfit to be president because he opposes abortion. “It’s critical that we contact the almost 200,000 pro-choice women we identified in 2004 and 2006 in battleground states who will be this year's swing voters and tell them about the threats to choice we can expect if John McCain picks up where George W. Bush left off,” Keenan explained. However, pro-life advocates say conservative Democrats, Catholic voters and others will come around to supporting McCain when they learn Obama supports limitless abortion paid for at taxpayer expense and has opposed any kinds of sensible limits on abortions.
Source: LifeNews, July 3, 2008

PRESIDENT BUSH: AMERICANS FACE "CLEAR CONTRAST" ON ABORTION IN ELECTION
Washington, DC -- President Bush told a crowd at the President's Dinner on Wednesday night that Americans face a clear choice in November on abortion and judges. He noted that John McCain and Barack Obama couldn't be more far apart on the two key issues for the pro-life community. While McCain takes a strong position opposing abortion and has said he wants Roe v. Wade and its era of unlimited abortions overturned, Obama has repeatedly voted for abortions and making taxpayers fund them with public money. "This November, the American people will have a clear choice when it comes to confirming good judges and building a culture of life," the president said. "Republicans aspire to build a society where every human being is welcomed in life and protected in law," he explained. "We’ve funded crisis pregnancy programs and supported parental notification laws." "We outlawed the cruel practice of partial birth abortion. We defended this good law all the way to Supreme Court -- and we won," Bush added. "This victory shows how important it is to put good judges on the bench." Bush used the issue of judges to underscore his point and noted how McCain voted for his two Supreme Court picks who pro-life advocates think will help overturn Roe. Obama voted against both picks and has promised to only appoint judges who will keep unlimited abortions legal another 35 years.
Source: LifeNews, June 19, 2008

JOHN McCAIN KEEPING OPEN MIND TO EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH ALTERNATIVES
Washington, DC -- In John McCain, pro-life voters have a solid presidential candidate against abortion but they have had concerns about his desire to spend public funds on embryonic stem cell research. However, the Arizona senator continues to keep his mind open to alternatives to the destructive practice. McCain holds to the same pro-embryonic stem cell research position as Barack Obama but, unlike his pro-abortion opponent, McCain is open-minded to funding promising alternatives instead. Responding to a new statement the nation's Catholic bishops produced opposing embryonic stem cell research on religious, scientific, and moral grounds, a McCain representative had some positive things to say.
Source: LifeNews, June 19, 2008

JOHN MCCAIN MEETS PRO-LIFE CATHOLIC LEADERS, PLEDGES TO OPPOSE ABORTION
Washington, DC -- Presidential candidate John McCain met with pro-life Catholic leaders in Philadelphia Wednesday, according to Catholic columnist Deal Hudson. The meeting also included a private time McCain had with Priests for Life director, Father Frank Pavone, who said McCain pledge to carry the pro-life mantle. The meeting with Catholic leaders and lay members was held at the venerable Union League. Hudson explains in a new column that the meeting is one McCain will hold with Catholic and pro-life leaders in other parts of the nation as he seeks to build support for his candidacy within the pro-life community. Sen. Sam Brownback, Gov. Frank Keating, and former Vatican ambassador Jim Nicholson also appeared at the meeting, with Nicholson introducing the candidate to the Catholic leaders. "Before his remarks, McCain met privately with Rev. Frank Pavone," Hudson said. In his prayer before McCain spoke, Father Pavone prayed that the "Lord would let all Christians know they are still His sons and daughters when they are in the voting booth," Hudson explained. "The first issue addressed by McCain was abortion," Hudson wrote. McCain said the "noblest words ever written" were "the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." He said he believes those words "apply to the unborn."  McCain "reminded the Philadelphia Catholics of his pro-life voting record, adding that he would 'maintain that commitment' if elected president," Hudson wrote.
Source: LifeNews, June 13, 2008

PRO-LIFE VOTERS MUST WORK OVERTIME TO STOP PRO-ABORTION BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA
Washington, DC -- A spokeswoman for a leading pro-life group says pro-life advocates need to begin work today to stop likely Democratic nominee Barack Obama. Karen Cross, the political director for National Right to Life, says Obama would advocate abortion at every turn if elected president. "Senator Barack Obama has a strong position and voting record in favor of abortion on demand," Cross told LifeNews.com. "He strongly supports the appointment of only U.S. Supreme Court Justices who favor Roe v. Wade." That means Obama would ensure legalized abortion throughout the entirety of pregnancy will remain legal in the U.S. for another 35 years, Cross says. "If Senator Barack Obama becomes president of the United States, hundreds of thousands more unborn children will likely die each year," Cross warns.
Source: LifeNews, June 4, 2008

PRO-LIFE STATE GROUPS IN CALIFORNIA AND WISCONSIN FIRST TO BACK JOHN McCAIN
Sacramento, CA -- Two state pro-life groups are the first to issue an endorsement for John McCain for president. Their announcements follow one from National Right to Life indicating support for McCain because of the differences on abortion between him Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. The California Pro-Life Council, last week, adopted the same resolution NRLC approved, saying pro-life advocates should support McCain because he is significantly better on abortion than either Democratic candidate. "Both contenders for the Democratic nomination, Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton, have strong positions and voting records in favor of abortion on demand and strongly support the appointment of only U.S. Supreme Court Justices who favor Roe v. Wade," the California pro-life group said. On the other hand, McCain "has consistently taken a strong pro-life position against abortion, has a strong pro-life voting record against abortion, and opposes Roe v. Wade." Wisconsin Right to Life, in an email to LifeNews.com, went further in its endorsement of McCain. "Senator McCain has a stellar 100% voting record on protecting unborn children from abortion," the group said. "He opposes the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion on demand in the United States and he voted to ban the gruesome partial-birth abortion procedure," WRTL added. "He opposes taxpayer funding of abortion and supports legislation that would require parental notification prior to a minor's abortion."
Source: LifeNews, April 24, 2008

PRO-LIFE SENATOR RESPONDS TO BARACK OBAMA COMPARING HIM TO TERRORIST
Washington, DC -- A leading pro-life U.S. senator has responded to comments pro-abortion Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama made during the most recent presidential debate. Obama compared Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma to a terrorist he knows in an attempt to defend his relationship. During last week's presidential debate between Obama and Hillary Clinton, Obama was asked a question about his friendship with William Ayers, a member of a group responsible for bombing government buildings. "He's never apologized for that," moderator George Stephanopolis told Obama. Obama explained that his friendship with Ayers shouldn't be construed as implying he endorsed the terrorist-like tactics Ayers used to drive home his political point. Then, the Illinois senator brought up a pro-life colleague to apparently make the point that he's friends with other people who take "extreme" positions or would use terrorist tactics. "The fact is, is that I'm also friendly with Tom Coburn, one of the most conservative Republicans in the United States Senate, who during his campaign once said that it might be appropriate to apply the death penalty to those who carried out abortions," Obama said.
Source: LifeNews, April 25, 2008

PRO-LIFE GROUP APPLAUDS JOHN McCAIN FOR SAYING VP SHOULD OPPOSE ABORTION
Washington, DC -- Officials at the Family Research Council are applauding comments eventual Republican nominee John McCain made Tuesday night saying it would be "difficult" for him to consider a pro-abortion running mate. McCain emphasized his pro-life views in the MSNBC interview. McCain responded to a question about a running mate with different abortion views than his. "I don't know if it would stop him but it would be difficult," McCain said in response to having pro-abortion ex-Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge as his running mate. Matthews asked McCain if he had a pro-life litmus test on choosing a running mate. "I'm not saying that would be necessarily," McCain said. "But I am saying it's basically the respect and cherishing of the right of the unborn is one of the fundamental principles of my party and it's a deeply held belief of mine," the eventual GOP nominee added.
Source: LifeNews, April 17, 2008

LEADING PRO-LIFE GROUP SUPPORTS JOHN McCAIN, SAYS ABORTION CONTRAST SIGNIFICANT
Washington, DC -- The National Right to Life Committee has announced it is supporting eventual Republican nominee John McCain for president. Officials from the prominent pro-life group told LifeNews.com the difference on abortion compared with the pro-abortion Democratic candidates is significant. The announcement of support came after a unanimous vote of the group's board of directors. "National Right to Life supports Senator John McCain for election as President of the United States and strongly opposes both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton and urges all pro-life citizens to do likewise," the group told LifeNews.com on Monday. On abortion issues, McCain has a strongly pro-life voting record and has supported bills to ban partial-birth abortions, respect parental involvement regarding teenagers and prohibit tax-funded abortions in a variety of situations.
Source: LifeNews, April 7, 2008

NARAL GIVES JOHN McCAIN 96% PRO-LIFE VOTING RECORD ON ABORTION ISSUES
Washington, DC -- NARAL president Nancy Keenan emailed her supporters early on Wednesday asking for money for a campaign to begin bashing John McCain for his pro-life voting record on abortion. She didn't waste any time in launching the attack as, later in the day, NARAL issued a press release blasting the possible Republican nominee. Keenan said she's worried that some people on the conservative side who disagree with McCain on other political issues will make it appear to some voters that he's not "extreme in his opposition" to abortion. "John McCain has a 25-year record of voting against women's freedom and privacy, and he has even gone so far as to call for the overturn of Roe v. Wade," Keenan said.
Source: LifeNews, February 7, 2008

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California ProLife Council (CPLC) (www.californiaprolife.org.) is the largest statewide organization in California solely dedicated to pro-life issues. CPLC is a non-sectarian, non-partisan, non-profit grassroots organization of pro-life groups and individuals in California dedicated to protecting and fostering the most basic value of our society- respect for LIFE itself.  We seek to educate our community in regard to abortion, euthanasia, and infanticide, to identify and organize the pro-life population of the state into an effective team, and to restore respect for human life to public policy.  California ProLife Council is the California affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee, Inc. (www.nrlc.org)