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Tom Ridge Backs McCain's 'Big Tent' in 2008
Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, the nation's first homeland-security secretary, said Wednesday he is backing Sen. John McCain in the Republican presidential primary because he likes his "big tent" approach to politics. Ridge, who spoke with reporters in Harrisburg, will be a national co-chairman of McCain's campaign. Ridge and McCain were first elected to Congress in 1982, and are Vietnam veterans.
"It's easy for me to support him just from a personal point of view, but I like the way he conducts his politics: Big tent, good listener, bipartisan," Ridge said.
Many GOP fundraisers, party officials and public officeholders in Pennsylvania remain undecided about whom to support in a state primary that is nearly a year away and may come too late in the presidential nominating process to make a difference.
Story Continues Below To some degree, that reflects the close competition between the top three GOP candidates, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, ex-Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and McCain, an Arizona senator.
But there are also plenty of distractions, including a state budget deal that has yet to be negotiated in the Legislature and judicial races being run across the state.
"There's a lot of crosscurrents going on," said Bob Asher, Pennsylvania's Republican national committeeman who is active in Giuliani's campaign.
Another prolific fundraiser, businessman Manuel Stamatakis, will also help Giuliani's campaign in Pennsylvania.
Pat Toomey, the conservative former Pennsylvania congressman and president of the anti-tax group Club for Growth, said he has not endorsed anybody -- and isn't sure he will.
The House Republican leader, Sam Smith, said he has not chosen a candidate, as did former state GOP chairman Alan Novak.
"I really don't know where I'm going to end up," Novak said.
Still, Novak echoed Asher's comments that they believe that Giuliani's conservative fiscal record and moderate stance on abortion will run strong in Pennsylvania, and particularly the heavily populated Philadelphia suburbs.
Asked if he would be McCain's running mate, Ridge demurred.
"I'm not presumptuous enough to think he's even interested and that conversation has not occurred, and I'm not going to initiate it," Ridge said.
If asked what would he say?
"I'll tell you after he asks me," Ridge said.
© 2007 Associated Press.
Editor's note:
Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
2008 Presidential Race Inside Cover Stories
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