Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- In a weekend interview, former Pennsylvania governor and cabinet member Tom Ridge responded to concerns that he could become John McCain's running mate. Ridge said he is confident Republican voters wouldn't mind a pro-abortion running mate.

Ridge made the comments in an interview on Fox News Sunday.

"Well, I think that would be up to -- first of all, to John to decide whether he wants a pro-choice running mate, and then we would have to see how the Republican Party would rally around it," he said.

"At the end of the day, I think the Republican Party will be comfortable with whatever decision John makes," Ridge concluded.

Ridge also talked about McCain's pro-life views.

"My friend of 25 years is passionately pro-life," he said of McCain. "He is also passionately a believer that the Republican Party must have a big tent."

"And I think, frankly, what he was just saying to the rest of the world is that we need to accept both points of view," Ridge added.

Even if McCain were to pick Ridge as his running mate -- which is highly doubtful despite the media speculation otherwise because of its potential to alienate pro-life voters even further -- Ridge admitted McCain's administration would be pro-life despite his own pro-abortion views.

"He's not judgmental about me or my belief. He just disagrees with me. And there's no doubt in my mind, no doubt whatsoever, that there would be -- he would have a strong pro-life administration. No question about it," he told Fox News.

Ridge also admitted his own views would be secondary to the ones McCain would hold as president.

"The last time I checked, the vice president is not an independent voice. He echoes the position of the president of the United States," he said. "I think that's the responsibility of the vice president. If you're unwilling or unable to do that, then I think you should defer to someone else."

Most political observers believe it's more likely that McCain will pick one of several pro-life advocates as his running mate -- including Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, or former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Romney was formerly an abortion advocates but switched his stance to oppose abortion and now advocates overturning Roe v. Wade.

 

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