John McCain Tells Pro-Life Advocates at March for Life That He’s One of Us 
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 22, 2008
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — John McCain, whom many consider the new leader in the race for the Republican nomination after victories in New Hampshire and South Carolina, told participants at the March for Life that he’s pro-life like them. Sen. Sam Brownback, who has endorsed his Arizona colleague, read a letter on McCain’s behalf.
McCain said he "saluted" the pro-life folks who came to Washington to "show that the cause of Life is alive and well in the hearts of millions of Americans."
Without saying so directly, McCain said he opposed the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision allowing for virtually unlimited abortion. He has previously called for the high court to reverse the infamous case.
"Seven judges in 1973 took the issue of abortion on themselves to settle this issue for every American, in all fifty states," he said. "They assured us that by sheer judicial will and power, the question of a so-called right to abortion was settled and that our society would now arrive at a shared consensus by virtue of their ruling."
"They were wrong to make this assumption. Your presence in Washington today marching for Life proves just how wrong they were," McCain explained.
Though McCain has come under criticism for voting to force taxpayers to fund embryonic stem cell research that destroys human life — against the wishes of dozens of pro-life groups — McCain promised to listen to the pro-life community if he becomes president.
"If I am fortunate enough to be elected as the next President of the United States, I pledge to you to be a loyal and unswerving friend of the right to life movement," he said in the statement.
The former Vietnam war veteran drew on his experience as a prisoner to draw parallels to his pro-life views.
"As a prisoner of war at the hands of a communist dictatorship, I saw firsthand the perils faced when human dignity and human life are not respected," McCain said. "Whenever the value of one class of persons is not respected — whether they are unborn, handicapped, and elderly — the dignity of all mankind is threatened."
"I have been a strong supporter of the right to life movement since I was first elected to Congress in 1982," he said.
McCain said the resolve he has against abortion is strengthened by being the father of seven children, two of whom were adopted from overseas.
"My wife Cindy and I understand how every child has a value which can never be calculated or cheapened. Every child literally alters the course of human history," he said.
"America stands for an ideal that all people are endowed by their Creator with inalienable right to life," McCain said, adding that he has pushed for the pro-life perspective on an international basis.
He said he would push for pro-life values "in our own country when we fail to respect the inherent dignity of all human life, born or unborn."
Ultimately, he told pro-life marchers that he thinks the pro-life cause will win the day.
"The pro-life movement appeals to the best instincts within each and every one of us. In that regard, our pro-life cause will ultimately be successful.
"Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today and please be assured of my best wishes and prayers for all those who labor for the cause of Life," he concluded.
