Testing, Testing

George W. Bush got through the Republican primaries without signing any pledges to use a pro-life “litmus test” to pick his running mate or judicial nominees. Good. Now it’s time for him to start applying a pro-life litmus test.

The reason pro-lifers are concerned about the makeup of the federal judiciary is obvious. Pro-lifers want the Republican vice-presidential nominee to be one of them for two reasons. First, that person could very well end up being president. Second, the selection of a nominee who favors keeping abortion legal would be a major symbolic defeat—and in politics, symbolism is never “mere.”

About the Author

Ramesh Ponnuru

Ramesh Ponnuru is the editor of National Review, a columnist for the Washington Post, and a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

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Presidential Election

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George W. Bush got through the Republican primaries without signing any pledges to use a pro-life “litmus test” to pick his running mate or judicial nominees. Good. Now it’s time for him to start applying a pro-life litmus test.

The reason pro-lifers are concerned about the makeup of the federal judiciary is obvious. Pro-lifers want the Republican vice-presidential nominee to be one of them for two reasons. First, that person could very well end up being president. Second, the selection of a nominee who favors keeping abortion legal would be a major symbolic defeat—and in politics, symbolism is never “mere.”