Despite his history of inconsistency on the subject, which Media Matters for America has repeatedly noted (here, here, here, and here), the Associated Press uncritically reported in a February 18 article Sen. John McCain's (R-AZ) statement that "I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned."
In its February 19 "Political Bulletin," U.S. News & World Report uncritically cited the AP article. Additionally, both a February 19 article in The State (Columbia, South Carolina) and a report by CNN senior political correspondent Candy Crowley, which aired on that day's edition of CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 and on the next day's edition of CNN's American Morning, also uncritically quoted McCain's statement opposing Roe v. Wade.
On August 25, 1999, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that McCain had told its editorial board:
"I'd love to see a point where it is irrelevant and could be repealed because abortion is no longer necessary. ... But certainly in the short term, or even the long term, I would not support repeal of Roe vs. Wade, which would then force X number of women in America to (undergo) illegal and dangerous operations."
The Chronicle added:
But on Sunday [August 22, 1999], in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, McCain said he favors the ultimate repeal of Roe vs. Wade, "but we all know, and it's obvious, that if we repeal Roe vs. Wade tomorrow, thousands of young American women would be (undergoing) illegal and dangerous operations."
The next day, according to the Chronicle, McCain issued what the Chronicle called a "clarification," which reportedly stated: "I have always believed in the importance of the repeal of Roe vs. Wade, and as president, I would work toward its repeal." On the June 19, 2005, broadcast of NBC's Meet the Press, however, McCain adopted yet another position, saying that he agreed "to some degree" that Roe should be overturned, but adding: "I don't think it is [going to be overturned] at least not any time soon." In 2006, McCain issued a statement indicating that if he were the governor of South Dakota, he "would have signed" a controversial bill outlawing all abortions except in those situations in which the life of the woman is threatened, but that he "would also take the appropriate steps under state law -- in whatever state -- to ensure that the exceptions of rape, incest or life of the mother were included." As New York Times columnist Paul Krugman noted: "But that attempt at qualification makes no sense: the South Dakota law has produced national shockwaves precisely because it prohibits abortions even for victims of rape or incest."
In a February 19 post on his personal weblog, Philadelphia Inquirer political analyst Dick Polman contrasted the AP article -- which, in Polman's words, "dutifully reported the quote -- without providing any of the context" -- with McCain's 1999 statements on abortion and Roe.
By contrast with the AP, CNN, and State articles, Fox News congressional correspondent Major Garrett's report on the February 19 edition of Fox News' Special Report noted McCain's 1999 comment against overturning Roe, adding that several days later "McCain reversed himself" to support overturning Roe. Similarly, on the February 19 edition of MSNBC's Tucker, host Tucker Carlson noted that McCain "said pretty explicitly last time he ran ... that he didn't want [Roe] overturned." Democratic strategist Peter Fenn, who was a guest on the show, later referred to a comment McCain reportedly made on January 26, 2000, when asked what he would do if his daughter became pregnant. According to CNN, McCain answered: "The final decision would be made by [daughter] Meghan with our advice and counsel."
From the February 18 Associated Press article:
Republican presidential candidate John McCain, looking to improve his standing with the party's conservative voters, said Sunday the court decision that legalized abortion should be overturned.
"I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned," the Arizona senator told about 800 people in South Carolina, one of the early voting states.
McCain also vowed that if elected, he would appoint judges who "strictly interpret the Constitution of the United States and do not legislate from the bench."
The landmark 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade gave women the right to choose an abortion to terminate a pregnancy. The Supreme Court has narrowly upheld the decision, with the presence of an increasing number of more conservative justices on the court raising the possibility that abortion rights would be limited.
