Richardson would have abortion 'litmus test' for court nominees

CONCORD, N.H. -- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson said that if he was elected president he would require all of his US Supreme Court nominees to uphold the Roe v. Wade abortion decision.

"Some people call this a 'litmus test'. I call it respecting precedent and putting women's lives above politics," Richardson said.

The Democratic presidential candidate was in Concord to launch a new group called "Women for Richardson." Among the group's co-chairs are his Lieutenant Governor in New Mexico and three of his cabinet officers. Two of the six members were from New Hampshire.

In announcing the group, Richardson said that among his priorities is equal pay for men and women; allowing stay-at-home mothers to earn Social Security credits; and passing an Equal Rights Amendment to the constitution.

In a taped interview after the event with WBUR-FM, the Boston public radio station, Richardson said politicians abandon the "farce" that a president should never quiz potential court nominees about past cases.

"Of course, presidents have candid conversations about the issues with these people," Richardson said. "Would I ask about abortion? No. Would I ask about his position about settled law, like what I believe abortion is? Yes."