….Martha Raddatz: I, I, I want to go back to the abortion question here. If the Romney Ryan ticket is elected should those who believe that abortion should remain legal be worried?
Paul Ryan (r): [sigh] We don’t think that unelected judges should make this decision, that people through their elected representatives in reaching a consensus in society through the democratic process should make this determination.
Vice President Joe Biden (D): The court, the next president will get one or two Supreme Court nominees. That’s how close Roe v Wade is. Just ask yourself, with Robert Bork being the chief adviser on the court for, for Mr. Romney, who do you think he’s likely to appoint? Do you think he’s likely to appoint someone like Scalia or someone else on the court far right that would outlaw (inaudible), outlaw abortion? I suspect that would happen.
I guarantee you, that will not happen. We picked two people. We pick people who are open-minded. They’ve been good justices. So keep an eye on the Supreme Court…
Paul Ryan (r): Was there a litmus test on them?
Vice President Joe Biden (D): There was no litmus test. We picked people who had an open mind; did not come with an agenda.
Martha Raddatz: I’m, I’m going to move on to this closing question because we are running out of time….
“…We don’t think that unelected judges should make this decision, that people through their elected representatives in reaching a consensus in society through the democratic process should make this determination…”
Consensus? PPP in Missouri (August 2012):
….Q7 Which of the following statements comes closest to your position on abortion: it should be legal in all cases; it should generally be illegal with exception for rape, incest, or protection of the mother’s life; or should it be completely illegal?
Legal in all cases 33%
Illegal except for rape, incest, or the mother’s life 47%
Completely illegal 14%
Not sure 5%
[emphasis added]
Think about that for a minute. Todd Akin (r). Vicky Hartzler (r). The Missouri General Assembly.
I rest my case.