McCain tries to woo former Romneyites

Samuel Coates, at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, reviews John McCain's speech following Mitt Romney's decision to stand aside.

John McCain was understandably in a good mood when he strode (at such a pace that I could only get a blurred photo!) through the entrance to the Omni Shoreham hotel this afternoon. His nomination as the Republican Presidential candidate is now assured.

His speech largely consisted of lots of references to the fact that some in the hall would have disagreed with him on things in the past, and of spelling out his "mainstream conservative record". Highlights:

• Booed when apologising for his conspicuous absence at last year's CPAC, then self-deprecatingly joked about being too busy successfully trying to rid himself of early frontrunner status.
• He paid a brief tribute to Governor Romney, although there was some laughing when he said he'd welcome him on board his campaign. Also congratulated the "great and fine man" Mike Huckabee for the success of his continuing campaign.
• Spoke of the responsiblity to unite the party, that he was acutely aware that he couldn't win without the support of the footsoldiers and that in future disagreements he would seek the counsel of fellow conservatives.
• Paid respect to the principled opposition to the stances he has taken on some issues and thanked the audience for the opportunity to make his case: "I wouldn't pretend otherwise, and you wouldn't let me forget."
• Quoted Edmund Burke: "Whenever a separation is made between liberty and justice, neither, in my opinion, is safe". He quoted Burke again towards the end when talking about his "deep, unwavering love of liberty" resulting in part from his time in captivity: "The true danger is when liberty is nibbled away, for expedience, and by parts".
• In his mandatory CPAC reference to Ronald Reagan, McCain spoke of going to CPAC for the first time on the invitation of Reagan, and how he and his Shining City on a Hill speech in particular formed his early views as a young Naval officer: "I'm as proud today of that association as I was then."
• He made a few references to the divine, and also to his pro-life beliefs: "liberty is a right conferred by the creator not governments", "I believe the pursuit of happiness is God-given to all who are born... and unborn."
• Good cheer for his passage on "the long overdue counter-insurgency that spared the tragedy of losing the war". Said that no other candidate appreciated how awful war was, but that he would not let America suffer the greater losses that would result from failure and that he believed "staying on the offence" would "keep this country safe, proud, prosperous and free."
  
• A fifteen second grinning pause was required after uttering the phrase: "illegal immigration", although his emphasis on "securing our borders first" won strong applause.
• Promised a "challenging, spirited contest" in which "standing by conservative convictions" would appeal to independents and Reagan Democrats.
• Promised to make Bush's tax cuts permanent, to cut corporation tax from 35% to 25%, and to "not let the Democrat-controlled Congress to increase taxes and choke economic growth".
  

Comments

[Tony Makara]

Sam, have you seen the legendary Rush Limbaugh around? If so try and get him to do a piece for ConHome, Rush has got a lot of fans here in the UK and I'm one of them, even though I often don't agree 100% with what he says. It just shows how Rush Limbaugh can connect with people. After today's events I'm hoping for a McCain/Romney ticket, I like the fact that Romney can see further ahead than others, I like politicians who think one generation ahead.

[pro_usa1776]

McCain will not get my vote unless Romney is on the ticket. I still think McCain needs a punch to the throat!

[John Reeks]

Romney? Are you guys insane? If you really think that a Mormon who continually changes his stances on near-about anything is an appealing candidate for veep, then, well, quite frankly I don't understand the state of conservatism in America. I could understand where you were coming from if you said Mike Huckabee, who is at least consistent, and seems like a good guy if nothing else. Romney? Seriously? What is his appeal? On those issues that social conservatives might find appealing in him he has simply changed his mind to suit the audience. Ugh. Romney is a dirty word.

[Frogg, USA]

I don't think there is gonna be a McCain/Romney ticket although it would be a good one.

McCain's primary wins were predominately in the Democrat stronghold states that aren't going to give him any electoral votes in the General election anyway. He'll need someone who can bring out the vote in either flyover country (south and heartland); or someone who can turn a blue state red. He'll pick a conservative (that leaves Huckabee out, also). And, he'll pick someone much younger.

[Duncan]

I predict McCain will opt for either Senator Brownback of Kansas or Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota as his running mate. The reasoning for this is that both are much younger than McCain, both have endorsed his campaign from an early stage and both will reassure conservative voters.

[Adam in London]

Romney's main appeal seemed to be that he wasn't John McCain, and his victories won by massively outspending his rivals (with his own money). Putting him on the ticket doesn't make a lot of sense, except insofar as he is the strongest candidate on the economy.

Pawlenty's a possibility, as he's been part of McCain's campaign from the beginning, but I'm not sure that he's that appealing to the conservative base, or that he can deliver Minnesota in November.

McCain ought to pick a reassuring conservative Governor. That means one of:
Sonny Purdue (Georgia)
Mike Huckabee (Arkansas)
Charlie Crist (Florida)
Rick Perry (Texas)
Mark Sanford (South Carolina)
Haley Barbour (Mississippi)

A McCain cabinet could be fun:
Attorney-General: Fred Thompson
Homeland Security: Rudy Giuliani
Treasury: Mitt Romney

[pro_usa1776]

John Reeks here is why:

Romney number 1 graduate from BYU
Romney top 5% Harvard Business School
Romney I trust

McCain bitter, petty old man
McCain doesn't know Cadillac is made by GM an American Company!
McCain supported Illegal Alien Shamnisty
McCain was thinking about jumping ship to join John Kerry!
McCain could be the Manchurian Candidate! 8-)
McCain was part of the Keetting 5, savings and loan scandal!
Did I say he was old and petty?

[Kevin]

This hardcore fiscal conservative would not vote for McCain even if his vice president was God himself. Unless he promised to smite me or something.

[Denise]

Adam in London, Purdue would be good. I'm in Georgia and I can say that Purdue has been a great governor.