(CNN) – Republican sources tell CNN that John McCain campaign manager Rick Davis and senior advisor Charlie Black have been calling activists to sound out the pros and cons of several possible running mates – including former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge, a choice that could spark major discontent from the conservative base.
Several campaign officials say they do not believe a final decision has been made – though two sources say McCain may have already decided, and told only Davis. One party insider tells CNN that Davis has called several state party chairs indicating Ridge will be the Republican vice presidential pick this cycle – although it is possible that Christian conservatives may be playing up the former governor’s chances in an effort to raise alarm and prematurely kill off his candidacy.
Several conservative activists say they know McCain’s campaign manager has been warned of possible dire consequences for the Arizona senator’s presidential bid at the convention and beyond if he picks a candidate who supports abortion rights.
"If he picks Ridge, the convention blows up, you will have a base completely demoralized,” said one activist. “And it will be viewed that he is ceding the future of the GOP to a liberal Republican. It would be a disaster."
But the same activist also says McCain is unlikely to make that move, pointing to comments by the presumptive Republican nominee that he would most likely have an anti-abortion running mate, and remarks this weekend that he would have a "pro-life" presidency.
From CNN Politics
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who cares who he picks it will just be another Warmonger like himself Republicans only care about more war Who cares What this Elitist Warmonger is going to do Obama is Going to win anyway Obama 08
Just think! If McCain chooses a "Pro-Choice" running mate, we might actually have a debate on all the other issues of pressing importance, put the right wing "nutcases" out to pasture and get back to a Republican party that was a champion of individual rights and fiscal responsibility. Teddy Roosevelt where are you when we need you? Ditto, Nelson Rockefeller?
Typical liberal comments before this one. We all know the Messiah is better than McCain. Get over it, when McCain wins the election you crybabies will be screaming...he stole the election. Go back to drinking your Obama flavored kool-aid.
Go John & Conti
The dems will not know what to do if you pick her, kind of like they are doing now flipping on drilling you losers
McCain – Young Barak, your mother never told you about your father.
Obama – She told me enough. SHe told me YOU killed him!
McCain – NO! "I" AM YOUR FATHER!!!
Obama – NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Ridge will be a great running mate and the perfect challenge to Biden. Any of you fools don't see that, you are blinding yourselves to reality. OOOOOHHHHHH what a great team McCain Ridge will be. Not only will Ridge bring PA, but also NJ and OH. That is a fact that Obam and his supporters must accept.
No matter who John McCain chooses for his VP nominee, there is still no compelling reason to vote for him. McCain has nothing to offer in the way of ideas, vision or plan to set this country on a better course.
No one seems to care. I see only 1 comment so far on this blog. Obama arouses so much more interest and excitement than McCain. Anything concerning Obama gets 200 comments in a few minutes!
Better than obummers I am sure of that!
Go McCain!
yep, Hillary it is........
McCain doesn't "invade" in his wars.... he "liberates"
Hypocracy...
Nothing that McCain, I mean McCon does or would do surprises me! He has taken the no holes barred approch to his 2008 presidential campaign. Jack Cafferty's statements in today's article about McCon being as shallow as "W" are right on the money. It is time for Americans to choose depth and substance over soundbites. Wake Up America!
Isn't it amazing that abortion becomes the litmus test for the candidate who may be a heart beat away from the president......GW is pro-life, yet in the past eight years the rate of abortion has gone up! How does this have anything to do with the need for a robust foreign and economic policies??
to CNN. Where is your freedom of speech.CNN is bias gang.My comment you don't let's go. No Obama.
Well, of course they can't have someone who's openly pro-choice; they can't toss out their gimme votes.
Hey, you censors have no sense of humor.
I think I shall be sick!
"John McCain" the next president of the United States of America!
Seriously, who cares what McCain and the GOP do afer the mess they have engineered? The chances for McCain winning this election should be like Hillary Clinton winning a gold medal in gymnastics at the Beijing Olympics, zilch! The cowardice of the media is propelling him along, otherwise he should have been dead and buried a long time ago by the mere limitation of his intelligence.
Obama ... landslide 2008.
is it me but do all his cronies look evil and mean just like McSTUPID? REMINDS ME OF MOFFIA BEHIND CLOSED DOORS SMOKING CIGARS. they all give me the creeps.
McCain will have a "pro-life" presidency?
Except for the wars, of course.
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Don't forget the death penalty.
Yeah, but the question is why isn't the media exploring McCain's "Bosnia" incident and his story with the cross!
McCain needs a conservative like Romney or else the keys to the whitehouse will be handed to Barack Insane O'Bummer
GO McCain.