THE PRESIDENT: You did embarrass yourself. (Laughter.)
Q -- you said many times, at all times, "whether you agree with me or not, you know where I stand, what I believe and where I intend to lead." And we've seen that on most issues. On issues like stem cell, you've taken a firm position, which might or might not agree with the polls, but it's what you believe. On the war, you've done what you believe is right despite polls indicating some opposition to it.
THE PRESIDENT: This has got like a twist -- (laughter.)
Q On abortion, you go a different way. When asked about abortion, you talk about abstinence, culture of life and adoption. But when asked about Roe v. Wade, you never fully address it. You say the country isn't ready for it -- which, to me, sounds like a politician saying --
THE PRESIDENT: No, what I say when it comes to -- this is all in the context of the John Roberts nomination --
Q No, this is in the context of whether you believe Roe v. Wade should be overturned.
THE PRESIDENT: This is in the -- you're asking this question as my nominee for the Supreme Court goes up to the United States Senate. I have said there is no litmus test for my nominee, and that's the way -- and that's the case. And Mr. Roberts can answer questions thrown at him by the Senate, but I'm not going to get involved with the Roe v. Wade case in the midst of a judicial nomination.
Q So you won't tell the nation whether you believe Roe v. Wade --
THE PRESIDENT: I've told the nation I'm pro-life. I told the nation, as well, when it comes to judges and legal matters, I'll put somebody in the Court that will strictly interpret the Constitution. But this is your way, Herman, I know you well, of trying to weave in a story about John Roberts. You can play like it's not, but Roe v. Wade is a legal matter. John Roberts is going to be put on the Supreme Court, hopefully, in an expeditious manner, and he will answer the questions directed to him. But it is clear that if he were to answer those questions, he would have to recuse himself from future cases.
Q You've always avoided that question, even when you didn't have appointees. For 12 years, you've not -- why do you not want to say whether you favor overturning Roe v. Wade?
THE PRESIDENT: I am -- I told you I was pro-life. I've been very clear about my positions when it came to abortion. I have also made it clear the type of people I want to name to different courts.
Q Mr. President, do you plan to renew an effort to get immigration reform passed before this Congress? And there are a couple -- you've talked about a guest worker program, and there's two proposals in the Senate right now, both that are very different -- McCain, and then also Cornyn.
