Now Bush finds himself in a real catch-22. According to Parro, if Bush selects a pro-choice running mate, social conservatives will throw their support to the likely Reform Party nominee, Patrick J. Buchanan. While a sizable percentage of conservatives have second thoughts about voting for pro-choice candidates, other factors no doubt affect their vote. Tossing away their vote to Patrick Buchanan on just one issue, most social conservatives would still conclude that the Republican platform best reflects their values. It's actually possible to have a candidate who's against abortion but also opposes pro-life constitutional amendments.
Many Republicans truly feel it's better to keep the federal government out of women's health issues.
Gov. Bush seems torn between opposing abortion as a form of birth control and upholding a woman's right to choose. When fireworks erupted between John McCain and Alan Keyes over abortion, it left George W. Bush looking far more rational and sensitive to women. As Gov. Bush has said before, his vice presidential choice will be made on who's best suited for the job. Caving-in to pressure doesn't reflect principled leadership. While it's possible that the most qualified candidate opposes abortion, it's also possible that they're against legislating the issue.