While many on the right side of the Republican Party have questioned John McCain’s pro-life commitment — Barack Obama is giving him the benefit of the doubt. At his Farmington Hills, Michigan, town hall, Obama was asked about how the Supreme Court would be affected after the ‘08 election.

“There are some people who focus on what would happen to Roe v Wade,” Obama said in response to the question. “I think it’s fair to say if John McCain wins, that would be overturned. You know during his tenure the Supreme Court, you know, is one vote away from that - I think Roe v Wade is worth preserving,” he continued.

He went on to say that while Roe v. Wade generates a lot of buzz, other issues are at risk under President McCain — not “sexy, high profile issues,” but “bread and butter issues” like Equal Pay, which Obama has said both McCain and his running mate, Sarah Palin, oppose.

He concluded, “I don’t believe that the courts should spend all their time intervening in our daily affairs, but you know what we do expect, what we should expect from our laws and from our courts is that everybody gets a fair shake and that everybody has access to the courts. That everybody gets their day, and that’s what I’m going to be fighting for when I am President of the United States.”

Richmond, VA — With enemies like this, who needs friends?  Could a Planned Parenthood radio ad launched Sunday taking aim at John McCain’s pro-life record actually help the Arizona Senator within the conservative activist community (on top of his Gary Bauer endorsement  today) as McCain seeks to reach out to his right flank?

The ad attacks McCain’s “anti-choice” stance, noting that his “plan to outlaw abortion threatens the lives and health of women.” The 60-second spot will air in the DC area through Tuesday and adds that McCain has a “zero percent rating from Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the lowest rating in the US Senate.”  The group promises an “aggressive effort” to educate voters about McCain’s pro-life record through the general election.

Of course, this ad also reflects the tightrope McCain has to walk right now as he concurrently seeks to bring aboard skeptical conservatives while also continuing to appeal to independents and moderates important in the general—the lowest Planned Parenthood rating in the US Senate could increase his appeal on the right and decrease it on the left.

*******Planned Parenthood Press Release Below *************

Planned Parenthood Action Fund Launches Radio Ad Criticizing Sen. McCain’s Commitment to Overturn Roe v. Wade

WASHINGTON, DC - The Planned Parenthood Action Fund today announced the release of a radio ad educating voters about Sen. John McCain’s anti-choice voting record. Throughout his entire public career, Sen. McCain has voted consistently against women’s health, and he supports overturning the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Roe v. Wade.

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