McCain, the Federalist?

[RJLipkin at aol.com]

In last  night's debate, I thought I heard John McCain describe himself as a 
"federalist"  when answering the question on abortion. (Rough paraphrase: "I'm 
a federalist, I  want the states to decide the abortion issue.") Can anyone 
confirm this? If so,  what does his use of the term mean?  Surely, not the 
Federalist Party of  the early republic? Does it refer to the Federalist Society? 
Has the  contemporary use of the term "federalist" acquired a states rights 
meaning? My  question is entirely non-argumentative. I'm simply inquiring about 
the use  (meaning) of the current term "federalist." Thanks.
 
Bobby

Robert Justin  Lipkin
Distinguished Professor of Law
Widener University School of  Law
Delaware

Ratio Juris
,  Contributor: _  http://ratiojuris.blogspot.com/_ 
(http://ratiojuris.blogspot.com/) 
Essentially Contested  America, Editor-In-Chief 
_http://www.essentiallycontestedamerica.org/_ (http://www.essentiallycontestedamerica.org/) 
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