Talkleft:
I thought this moment was the SUBSTANTIVE moment of the debate:
MR. SCHIEFFER: Even someone who had a history of being for abortion rights, you would consider them.
SEN. MCCAIN: I would consider anyone in their qualifications. I do not believe that someone who has supported Roe v. Wade -- that would be a part of those qualifications. But I certainly would not impose any litmus test.
Also, McCain's take on Roe v. Wade from CNN transcript:
Schieffer: But you don't want Roe v. Wade to be overturned?
McCain: I thought it was a bad decision. I think there were a lot of decisions that were bad. I think that decisions should rest in the hands of the states. I'm a federalist. And I believe strongly that we should have nominees to the United States Supreme Court based on their qualifications rather than any litmus test.
Now, let me say that there was a time a few years ago when the United States Senate was about to blow up. Republicans wanted to have just a majority vote to confirm a judge and the Democrats were blocking in an unprecedented fashion.
We got together seven Republicans, seven Democrats. You were offered a chance to join. You chose not to because you were afraid of the appointment of, quote, "conservative judges."
I voted for Justice Breyer and Justice Ginsburg. Not because I agreed with their ideology, but because I thought they were qualified and that elections have consequences when presidents are nominated. This is a very important issue we're talking about.
Sen. Obama voted against Justice Breyer and Justice Roberts on the grounds that they didn't meet his ideological standards. That's not the way we should judge these nominees. Elections have consequences. They should be judged on their qualifications. And so that's what I will do.
I will find the best people in the world -- in the United States of America who have a history of strict adherence to the Constitution. And not legislating from the bench.
Memo to McCain: Yes, Obama opposed Judge Roberts' confirmation. Fact check: Judge Breyer was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in an 87 to 9 vote and took his seat August 3, 1994. Obama became the Senator in 2004, ten years after Breyer's confirmation. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Breyer
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