In a phone interview with Cleveland.com, “Retread” Ted Strickland flip-flopped on whether he would support an anti-abortion Supreme Court nominee.
Retread Ted, who has run for office thirteen times dating back to 1976, has flipped, flopped, and flipped again on this issue – so it’s no surprise he’s forgotten which side of the issue he’s on today.
When asked by Cleveland.com about confirming an anti-abortion nominee, Strickland didn’t rule it out. Strickland’s spokesman, however, called the reporter minutes after the interview to rectify Strickland’s mistake claiming that he would, “not support a nominee who opposes a woman’s right to choice.” Just for good measure, about two hours after the interview, Strickland called the reporter to make sure that his flip-flop had been accurately recorded.
But this isn’t the first time Retread Ted has flip-flopped….
During Strickland’s 1992 congressional bid, Retread Ted flip-flopped from pro-life to pro-choice since his previous bid in 1980.
From a 1992 Columbus Dispatch report:
[Strickland,] campaigning in favor of abortion rights this year, held an anti-abortion position when he last ran in 1980. Barbara Briggs, campaign manager for Rep. Bob McEwen, R-Hillsboro, whom Strickland ran against both this year and in 1980, attacked Strickland’s switch. Briggs produced a 1980 questionnaire by Ohio Right to Life in which Strickland promised to vote for a Human Life Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and to oppose using public money to pay for abortions except to save the mother’s life. “This man will do anything or say anything to get elected,” Briggs said. “How can the voters trust anyone who simply tells them what he thinks they want to hear?” Strickland acknowledged that he changed his position and said he switched after being married in 1985 [sic 1987]. He said that a woman’s personal decision has no place in politics. “You can be for choice without being pro-abortion,” Strickland said. “When you are anti-abortion, you are forcing your views on others. (The Columbus Dispatch, October 15, 1992)