"Join Republicans Against McCain"

WASHINGTON -- It had to hurt.

John McCain, who appears to be the GOP's presumptive presidential nominee, was resoundingly booed before and after addressing the Conservative Political Action Convention this afternoon, despite his plea to the Republican right that they have more in common than not.

McCain was introduced first, though erroneously, by former VA guv George Allen. Allen, who endorsed McCain today after having supported Fred Thompson's bid, was supposed to introduce Sen. Tom Colburn who had the official honor of presenting McCain. So, with the double introduction, McCain was booed not once, but twice.

McCain made a humble plea for the support of the far right contingent of his party, saying that though they have disagreed at turns and though he has made "mistakes" (more booing), "you will still allow that in many ways important to all of us (I have) maintained the record of a conservative."

The AZ senator made his argument today on principle, saying that he is a politician to be trusted, a man who will be frank about his views even in the face of criticism.

"I hope you will grant that I have defended many positions we share, just as ardently as I have made my case for positions that have provoked your opposition," he said.

But that didn't seem enough. So on he plowed.

"I will stand on my convictions, my conservative convictions," he said.

"Liberty," he said, "is a right conferred by our Creator, not by governments."

Finally, big applause.

McCain reinforced his support for Ronald Reagan, saying as he has in ads to date and on the trail, that he was a foot soldier in the Reagan revolution. He ticked off the views about which he figured he and his audience would find commonality: small government, fiscal discipline, strong defense, social values, strict constructionist judges. He said he has "proudly defended" his 25-year pro life record and backed the Second Amendment.

And he addressed some of those nagging points of difference, illegal immigration, prime among them. He even tried humor.

"I have made mistakes, you can attest to that," he joked, before promising to "secure our borders first."

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

McCain's outreach was admirable, murmured many in the crowd, but not effective in the views of some. A smattering of attendees stood in the lobby and later on the street outside the Omni Shoreham holding signs that read: "Join Republicans Against McCain" and "Stop McCain's Amnesty."

One such sign holder, Bob Shoemaker of Vienna, Va., said he'd rather fight the amnesty battle with a Democrat in the White House.

"If he's the nominee, I don't vote," Shoemaker said of McCain. "The guy has too much baggage."

Meanwhile, Club For Growth President Pat Toomey -- no McCain fan -- issued a statement lauding McCain for showing up at CPAC, but urging that he continue his work to mend fences with the party's conservatives:

“Senator McCain deserves some credit for making a conscious effort to reach out to conservatives at CPAC today, but over the next couple of months, he will need to go beyond talking about those issues on which he agrees with conservatives and address those areas in which we’ve had strong disagreements. More specifically, he will need to reassure conservative regarding his vision on tax policy; political speech during campaigns; global warming remedies; and his general approach towards regulatory matters.”

Toomey also demanded that McCain not to select Mike Huckabee as his veep:

“The most concrete manifestation of McCain’s commitment to conservative principles will be his selection of an economic conservative running mate who will unify the Republican coalition. Clearly, an economic liberal like Mike Huckabee will be unacceptable to a majority of Republicans. Rather, Senator McCain will need to pick a vice-presidential candidate who embodies the Republican belief in limited government, economic freedom, and the power of free enterprise to advance prosperity for all Americans."

McCain might have the nomination in the palm of his hand, but he clearly has a long, long road ahead in wooing the conservative wing of his party.

Posted at 06:10 PM

Comments

Sometimes a house is so delapidated that it must be torn down to the foundation and rebuilt. This the case with the RNC. They probably have to hold their nose to back Mccain, but he is the only one who help push their deal for amnesty through. This is not just with the RNC, it is with the DNC to. Campaign donations accepted, promises made, they both need amnesty through, not so much for the illegals, as much as the businesses. Illegals don't make campaign donations, businesses do. We can see evidence of this in the new SAVE act, where they promise to secure(where have we heard this before), go after fraudelent IDs, but let employers not verify employees for up to four years. It means they are not making the illegals legal, they are making it so the business have sort of amnesty for four years. All the things in the SAVE can be done now if they wanted , except letting businesses off the hook. Why would they aloow this four lapse in enforce, perhaps to get amnesty through? So I'll vote independent or hold my nose for a democrat. I know this is cutting off your nose in spite of your face, but when you need an entire face lift, what does it matter. Besides the economy is going bad, might as well let it hit bottom while a democrat is president.

howard | 02.07.08 07:24 PM