John McCain Picks Up Pro-Life Endorsements, Former Right to Life President

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Jan 18, 2008   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

John McCain Picks Up Pro-Life Endorsements, Former Right to Life President Email this article
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 18,
2008

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — With the South Carolina primary vote just one day away, Republican presidential candidate John McCain has picked up the support of more pro-life advocates. The new endorsements include one from Dr. Carolyn Gerster, a prominent pro-life physician who is a founder and former president of National Right to Life.

"John McCain is the most qualified candidate and has a consistent and principled pro-life record," Gerster said in a statement the McCain campaign sent LifeNews.com.

"He has spent his career standing up for human rights and he will continue to do so as president," Gerster, who has also been a leader of Arizona Right to Life, added.

"John McCain will nominate judges who understand the sanctity of human life, and firmly believes that courts should not be legislating from the bench. John McCain has the conviction, strengths, and experience to serve as commander in chief from day one and that is why he has my vote," Gerster said.

Gerster’s endorsement puts National Right to Life presidents behind different candidates.

Current President Dr. Wanda Franz supports Fred Thompson, as does the organization’s PAC and most of its state affiliates who have issued endorsements, while former NRLC president Dr. Jack Willke is backing Mitt Romney.

Gerster is part of a coalition of pro-life advocates who backed McCain on Thursday and Friday including South Carolina State Senator Mike Fair; Carl Falk, the head of the Palmetto Family Council; and Barbara Leonard, a state director for the Republican National Coalition for Life.

“As those concerned with the preservation of traditional family values and the rights of the unborn, we are proud to announce our support for John McCain," Fair said in a statement sent to LifeNews.com.

“John McCain can uniquely appeal to those concerned with family issues because of his strong, 24-year pro-life record," Fair added.

John McCain expressed his appreciation for the endorsements.

“I am very grateful to have the support of this distinguished coalition of family issue leaders. I am proud to stand side-by-side with them on many of the most critical issues of our day [such as] defending the sanctity of human life," he said.

Richard Peterson, the chairman of the Sam Brownback for President campaign in South Carolina and Dr. Mark O’Rourke of the Greenville Chapter of South Carolina Citizens for Life endorsed McCain as well.