SUNDAY ROUNDUP

Barack Obama’s answer on when life begins during Saturday night’s forum on faith may come back to haunt him, conservative bloggers say. John McCain’s trial balloon on a pro-choice running mate has fallen flat and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had some strong words for Russia during the Sunday talk shows.

Obama saying that the decision on when life begins is “above my pay grade” was a weak answer for a complicated question, The Corner’s Kathryn Jean Lopez writes. Hot Air’s Ed Morrissey says the statement could be “the quote of the election,” pointing out that the whole abortion debate is centered on the question of when life begins.

Following the forum, the McCain camp ruled out a pro-choice candidate, effectively ending the chances of former Gov. Tom Ridge (R-Pa.) and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), DaveG at race42008 writes. But The Huffington Post points out that Ridge didn’t get the memo, going on television Sunday to declare that the GOP would accept a pro-choice running mate.

And Rice blasted the Russians, saying their international reputation is in “tatters” over the incident with Georgia, The Swamp report. Firedoglake’s Ian Welsh says Rice is to blame for “baiting the bear” in the first place, pointing out that Rice is supposed to be a Russia expert.

FROM THE BLOGS:
Biden Heads to Georgia – Todd Beeton, MyDD
‘Above My Pay Grade’ – The Corner
Rice: Russia Reputation in ‘Tatters’ – The Swamp
There Are a Lot of Things Above Obama’s Pay Grade – Hot Air
Biden & Georgia – Marc Ambinder
McCain Defines ‘Rich’ – Think Progress
McCain Drops Support for Pro-Choice Veep – race42008
McCain’s Foreign ‘Policy’ Problem – Daily Kos

OTHER NEWS SOURCES:
Response to 9/11 Outlines McCain Doctrine – New York Times
Faith Forum Highlights Differences Between Candidates – The Hill
Russia to Begin Troop Pullout Monday – Washington Post