(CNN) - Rush Limbaugh, the popular conservative talk-show host who's long been lukewarm to John McCain's candidacy, warned the Arizona senator Tuesday picking a pro-choice running mate could devastate the Republican Party.
Referencing reports McCain advisors are seriously considering both former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge and former Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Lieberman - both of whom favor abortion rights - Limbaugh said picking either of those men would ensure a GOP defeat, and damage the party’s brand for years to come.
"How about some discussion from the McCain campaign about a conservative who can be counted on across the board, who can help lead the country in the right direction?" said Limbaugh. "Who can help rebuild the Republican Party? Lieberman can’t do that - and rebuild the conservative movement? McCain nor Lieberman nor Ridge can do that.”
The comments come amid reports senior advisors to McCain are floating both Lieberman and Ridge's names among key social conservatives in an effort to measure the blowback the Arizona senator will face if he names either man to the ticket. One party insider tells CNN that McCain campaign manager Rick Davis has called several state party chairs and indicated Ridge will be the Republican vice presidential pick this cycle.
Limbaugh said Tuesday that the drawbacks of choosing either man far out-weighed any potential benefits.
"McCain has already seen to it that he can walk across the aisle that he’s the top of the ticket," Limbaugh said. "If anybody is going to attract moderates, it’s going to be the top of the ticket guy. He’s not going to help himself any additional way, he’s going to hurt himself by putting a liberal or a liberal Republican on this ticket, particularly pro-choice.”
From CNN Politics
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Mccain is Liberal who has tricked the conservatives.. Hahahaha, hehehehe.. I love it.. At best he's a moderate... Hehehehe.... Repubs got fooled by that loser, cheater, wife beater Mccain.
First Jack Cafferty now Rush L. Both trying to direct the vote. Both of you guys need to get over yourself. Go John GO GO GO
so were rezzel dazzeled down to pro choice vs pro life... rush "billy flynn" limbaugh is doing his job.
The choice is McCain's to make. Let him. Rush is a right wing radical like most of the media are left wing radicals.
Pick Lie-berman or I'm voting for Obama
If McCain by some miracle wins this election, women will end up losing all their rights. Every women has the right to to choose what happens to her. Government should not dictate this right. Saying the women doesn't have the right if she so chooses to have an abortion is the same as saying a women doesn't have the right to say NO to sex or anything else. We do not live in a cult in Texas where the leader say when you have to get married, have sex or can demand any other rights just because he says so. McCain has 1950's thinking. And he says Obama is out of touch.
limbaugh gets high ratings because there are a lot of useless rocks in the country
Fortunately, Rush is not the DECIDER.
LOL
The Republican Party has already been devastated by imperialist neo-cons, theocons, and hypocritical blowhards like Limbaugh.
Pick Lieberman and finish sinking that lead-bottom boat.
Now just who is this "Rush" character??? I don't ever remember any divine proclamations declaring this "Rush" to have any special powers, knowledge, or skills.
He wants to see rioting and worse in the streets of America at the Dem.Convention.He should be considered an enemy combatant.
Carl...
VERY funny...
romney permalink
Wish you Dems would get off of McCain's blog with the "Who Cares" comment, seems like a lot of people DO.
More and more people every day are stating to see what Obama is made of and are coming over to McCain's side (check the latest polls) so people do care about McCain just not Obama. Obama supporters better jump ship before it sinks. LOL
PS- Why call someone dumb because he expresses his views? This shows the true side of the Dems, thought we lived in America where freedom rules, guess if Obama and the Dems had their way we would be like China.
Whew! For a minute there I was afraid Rush wasn't going to have anything to say on this. Better do what he says John...wait! better yet...DON"T! That way he'll have something to talk about on the radio later.
Does anyone know where I can score some oxy-contin?
A McCain/Lieberman ticket would be smart as young Republicans who are far more liberal then the old staunch republicans that are currently in office and running the republican party. I think it is time that America changes, but not as drastic as Obama would like, but a more gradual change with McCain/Lieberman and their years of experiance......Young republicans, I believe, would agree!
AMAZING HOW POLITICS WORKS IN AMERICA. YOU STAND ON YOUR PRINCIPLES AND STILL HAVE TO CONSIDER PICKING A LESS THAN DESIRABLE RUNNING MATE BECAUSE THE AMERICAN POPULATION IS SO FICKLE AND SPOILED THAT THEY HAVE TO HAVE EVERY LITTLE THING HANDED TO THEM OR THEY WILL BALK ON ELECTION DAY. POLITICS IN THIS COUNTRY IS A BABYSITTING CONTEST. PET THIS GROUP AND SCHMOOZE THAT LITTLE CLIQUE OR ELSE YOU GET POLITICALLY INCORRECT WHINING. THIS COUNTRY IS THE BIGGEST BUNCH OF WHINERS AND CRY BABIES ON EARTH. MCCAIN SHOULDNT HAVE TO MEDIATE HIS VP CHOICE TO PANDER TO MARXISTS, SOCIALISTS, AND LEFTIST WING NUTS. HE SHOULD STAND HIS GROUND AND GO WITH HIS PRINCIPLES. THIS MAKES A PARTY AT LEAST LOOK HONORABLE AND DEPENDABLE. PANDERING SHOWS A PERPENSITY TO WAFFLE WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN. WE CANT STAND ANY MORE FLIP FLOPPING AND MID COURSE CORRECXTIONS. THE RUSSIANS KNOW WE ARE FAMOUS FOR OUR LACK OF SPINE WHEN IT COUNTS. ALSO OUR LACK OF RESOLVE WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH. HO CHI MINH KNEW IT TOO.
Hey, Rush your plan worked, now go hide someplace until after the election. We are on the verge of giving the Democrats their worst nightmare, so don't spoil it for us, Man.
Better listen to the great and powerful OZ McCain!!
Make Rush your VP and lose for sure. No speculation needed for that.
It doesn't matter who McCain picks as a VP. I won't vote for him anyway.
Please... take as much advise from Rush as humanly possible... That'll absolutely ensure a democratic win
Taking Rush's advise is like committing operation chaos on yourself.
And is McCain trying to connect himself with a man who is probably the biggest hypocrite, and probably the most hated "republican" across the board?
If McCain thinks that I have no choices about my own body, he is out. Who does he think he is trying to tell women what to do.
Shmucks like limbaugh have too much pull. How much of a moron do you have to be to follow this slime?