Single Issue Voters

From The Corner at the National Review Online:

A crucial distinction between the Democratic party and the Republican party rests with abortion: The Democratic party is, by and large, “pro-choice”; the Republican party is, by and large, “pro-life.” There are a few pro-lifers in the Democratic party (precious few); and there are more than a few pro-choicers in the Republican party. But still . . .

Sometimes people say — people complain — that the parties are Tweedledum and Tweedledee (or Tweedledum and Tweedledumber). Not true. And a main reason it’s not true: abortion.

Okay: If the Republican nominee picks as his vice-presidential nominee a man who supports abortion on demand — a lot of people might say, “There goes my rationale for supporting the Republican party — doesn’t really matter to me who wins now.”

Listen, I think the election of McCain over Obama is absolutely critical — if for war-and-peace issues alone. But if McCain had as his running mate an out-and-out abortion-on-demander, even I, to be frank, would gulp at pulling the lever for him.

I would say that gun control is the single defining issue between the parties, but they still are Tweedledum and Tweedledee. Would having a pro-choice VP really hurt McCain that much? If both Obama and his VP are pro-choice, there is no added incentive to vote for the Democrats. How many individuals actually vote based on one-issue politics? I know it does matter for gun enthusiasts. The NRA will endorse Democrats if they have stronger gun rights stances than Republicans. Any thoughts?

UPDATE: If Lieberman gets the VP nod, I think his pro-choice views should be the least of McCain’s worries. I would love to see a Jew get elected as VP (and after that as President), but Lieberman?

- VWI