Iriemon

John McCain has flip flopped on (among many other issues) the issue of abortion:

THEN

McCain 8/24/99: "But certainly in the short term, or even the long term, I would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade, which would then force X number of women in America to [undergo] illegal and dangerous operations."

Washingtonpost.com: McCain Softens Abortion Stand

NOW

McCain 2/18/07: "I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned" [MSNBC]

McCain says Roe should be overturned - John McCain News - MSNBC.com

He recently affirmed and promised that as president, he'd appoint Supreme Court justices in the mold of Alito and Roberts. McCain pledges to use Roberts, Alito as model Supreme Court nominees

Both are hard right anti-choice justices, who, along with Scalia and Thomas, form 4 out of the 5 necessary votes necessary to overturn Roe v. Wade.

With Stevens at age 88, Ginsburg at 75, and Kennedy at 71, there is a very good chance that the next president which be able to choose the replacement for at least one of these judges, who would be aged 93, 80, and 76 respectively at the end of the next president's new term. That would put the anti-Roe group in the majority.

If McCain is elected, would that be the end of a right to abortion in America?

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Matthew 5:9

independent_thinker2002

Yes, it would.

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Lachean

No it would not, it would mean the beginning of a state by state debate on whether each state will allow them or not.

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Iriemon

And how is it a right if states pass laws prohibiting an abortion, as many would do.

tecoyah

I think we are placing more credit on the man than he is due.

1) It is extremely unlikely McCain would have the needed clout, let alone support to abolish Roe vs. Wade.

2) It is extremely likely McCain is simply doing what he must do if he hopes to be a viable republican candidate...pander to the Religious right as needed to garner support (they will fall for it too).

3) Should McCain become president he will no doubt attempt to remove the last pieces of Liberal thought from the SCOTUS (and may indeed have the opportunity to do so if he gets elected for two terms), but he will be hampered by the fact democrats will control both houses.

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Self-Banned

DarkWizard12

You are overestimating McCain. He's running for president, not cheif justice.

besides, the only people who can overturn RVW now is the supreme court, and I think now that, if they wanted to, they would have.

oh and, McCain still isn't a conservative <_<

Iriemon

McCain would not. The Supreme Court does.

That would be asserting McCain is a flat out liar.

Unless they have 60 seats in the Senate, the Democrats cannot ultimately exclude McCain's choice of a justice who is otherwise qualified.

Iriemon

The Supreme Court has not overturned Roe because there has not been a majority of justices willing to do so. One of those is Stevens. If he is replaced by another anti-Roe justice there will then be a majority in the Supreme Court.

DarkWizard12

I thought Roe Vs. Wade was a 5-4 decision? Witht eh 2 new conservative justices, wouldn't that make it a majority?

Iriemon

Roe was originally a 7-2 decision, in 1973 I believe.

You may be thinking of decisions that discuss the contours of the right as opposed to abolishing it all together.