Posted on 1/22/2008, 10:39:47 AM by Aristotelian
John McCain has a problem. After winning South Carolina's primary last Saturday, he should be the overwhelming favorite to capture the Republican presidential nomination. He's not, at least not yet, and the reason is that he's alienated so many conservatives over the past eight years.
Mr. McCain may become the Republican nominee anyway -- in spite of thunderous opposition by conservatives including radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh, former Sen. Rick Santorum, and American Conservative Union (ACU) head David Keene. Even then, to win the general election, he must find a way to reconcile with conservatives and unify the Republican Party.
Mr. McCain will have to take the initiative to repair the relationship, and he appears ready to do just that.
His victory speech in South Carolina marked a new step. Rather than dwell on the hardy perennials of his campaign message, national security and patriotism, Mr. McCain spoke more broadly about his conservative goals. "We want government to do its job, not your job," he said, "and to do it with less of your money." He praised "free markets, low taxes and small government."
Moreover, Mr. McCain intends to go beyond conservative boilerplate and actually campaign as a conservative. His congressional voting record is predominantly conservative (ACU rating 82.3%), qualifying him to do so. He's already stepped outside his comfort zone on taxes, endorsing a cut in the corporate tax rate to 25% from 35%.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
He can portray himself any way he cares too. I don't trust him and I damn sure don't trust his Bi-partisan Buddy Ted Kennedy.
Fred Barnes.......”Now McLettuce must convince the right”
yeah ?.....so must Barnes..........Rinos both
The odds are with you that he has already forgotten.
Fred Barnes believes McPain can suddenly kiss and make up after screwing conservatives for year after year? Fred Barnes is an idiot. Seriously. Now I know why he’s been bashing Fred Thompson, a conservative, from day one. I remember a saying about opinions being like something because everyone has one. Well, Fred Barnes has his opinion (what a total jerk).
In other words, McCain has to work even harder to fool a lot more people.
juan mccain will try to convince the US public that he will not allow all illegals to become US citizens until he is in the White House!!!!!
of course....he voted against the tax cuts.....he will be against them in the future to ensure the illegals get all the free benefits the lib/dems can vote to give them!!!
McCain loses it pretty quickly on borders and 2A, with me.
Romney and Giuliani on the Left.
McCain in the Middle.
Huckabee on the Right.
And whether I am a &%$% or a &%&&$* or a &*&%$ is besides the point. I am just talking about what is left on the table.
Personally I blame Cheney for this stinking mess. With him not running it sent the message that the Conservative day was over and helped America to easily switch to another mood.
Now I am seriously thinking it’s better if Obama or Hillary actually win because that will make a Conservative very competitive again in 2012.
But when the time comes I know I will mail in my vote for Huckabee, McCain, Giuliani, Romney (in that order) because the idea of Obama and Hillary liberals being gleeful about me not voting, is seriously causing me more sickness in my stomach than I can handle. But I don’t blame anyone that is not going to vote for them, it’s their right too.
Barnes is half right. McCain must, but he won’t.
McCain is dependant on open primaries and left wing mischief.
Ronpaul effect.
There is NOTHING honorable in how he treated Rummy. (Hear that Billy Kristol.)
Fred Barnes and Bill Kristol in the bag for McCain.... And they always have been... RINO’s all....
Why I don’t read the Weekly Standard...
Your selection order is such that you are voting for a Democrat anyway. No matter what badge they wear.
These guys think we are going to forget 8 years of ignoring conservatives with some nice sounding words!
Barnes & Kristol & Weekly Standard = McCain’s pimp.
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