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Opinion
Feb. 08, 2008
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EDITORIAL: It's all over

John McCain will be the GOP nominee

Eight months ago, John McCain's presidential campaign seemed dead. On the two most important issues of last year -- Iraq and illegal immigration -- he defied public sentiment by supporting the unpopular positions of an unpopular president. His defense of the troop surge and amnesty for illegals left him unable to raise money from GOP sources and stuck at the bottom of polls.

Then the stars aligned. American military forces turned the tide of violence in Iraq, and a faltering economy displaced illegal immigration as the electorate's top domestic concern. Sen. McCain gradually wrapped up the backing of centrists, independents and party faithful who put a premium on military experience. One by one, other Republican candidates succumbed to their handicaps and limited appeal.

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    • Now, with Wednesday's announcement that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has suspended his bid for the White House, Sen. McCain is atop a GOP field that once numbered nine. The nomination is his.

    But Sen. McCain's improbable comeback looks routine compared with the task that awaits him. To win the presidency in November, he must unite a splintered party by convincing its conservative base he's more than a maverick Nanny Stater.

    How much work does the Arizona Republican have ahead of him? Consider that many of his Senate colleagues were downright gloomy about his performance in Super Tuesday's primaries, which made him the party front-runner.

    "A lot of people around here are going to have to recalibrate their attitudes toward John McCain," said Sen. Robert Bennett of Utah.

    "McCain is going to have to reach out," said Sen. David Vitter, R-La.

    Many of Sen. McCain's votes have directly undermined the Republican Party's platform, from opposing President Bush's tax cuts at the beginning of the decade to fighting oil exploration in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He famously sponsored the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law, a constitutionally dubious set of restrictions on political speech that insulate incumbents from criticism in the weeks leading up to federal elections.

    "One of the worst bills in my 31 years here is McCain-Feingold," said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. "These are issues that are constantly brought up by conservatives, that give them some angst. ... I think it's going to be very uphill."

    This lack of enthusiasm among some circles of the Republican Party cannot be taken lightly. The Democratic Party is more energized for the 2008 elections than any in a generation. Registered Democrats are participating in primaries in far greater numbers than Republicans. If Sen. McCain cannot create a comparable level of excitement among stalwart conservatives, many of them will stay home on Election Day.

    Does that mean Sen. McCain must overhaul his campaign message and change most of his positions? No. Sen. McCain's strength as a candidate rests primarily on his honesty and the conviction he has brought to many legislative battles. He has learned from his defeats; if elected president, Sen. McCain now pledges to secure America's borders to block future waves of illegal immigration and make President Bush's income tax cuts permanent.

    "I will not obscure my positions from voters. ... If I am convinced my judgment is in error, I will correct it," Sen. McCain told the Conservative Political Action Conference on Thursday.

    If Sen. McCain intends to keep his promise of honesty, perhaps he can clarify why, when he says he embraces the concept of limited government, he wants to ban regulated wagering on amateur and collegiate sports in Nevada, and why he subscribes to the idea that massive government intervention is needed to combat global warming.

    That said, Sen. McCain has long disdained the pork-barrel spending that boosts the national debt, and he vows to veto any bill that contains even one earmark. He wants to abolish the alternative minimum tax, once and for all, and cut corporate income tax rates. He wants to reform the country's unsustainable entitlements to ensure the federal government can deliver on the promises it has made to taxpayers. And he understands that America can't let the rest of the world determine its foreign policy or how best to preserve its national security.

    These are the credentials Sen. McCain must emphasize to conservatives. This is the common ground that can unite the Republican Party. Lower taxes. Less spending. A strong defense.

    If conservatives meet Sen. McCain halfway across the bridge, they just might like what they see.



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    John F wrote on February 08, 2008 08:08 PM: Steve,

    Thanks for being so gracious.


    Steve wrote on February 08, 2008 01:30 PM: John F,

    Don't worry about it. I assumed you were just having a bad day and took it as such. No harm; no foul.

    Regarding Rogers, I don't think he should be going out of state for his treatment. Just like I didn't agree with Rino Guinn going to California for treatment. They both have the available funds to, if they want a specific physician, fly their doctor here and use the facilities here thereby returning at least part of the expense bact to the Nevada economy.

    As far as the November election, I haven't determined what I'm going to do yet or for whom I'll vote. I do know it will NOT be McCain.


    Joe C wrote on February 08, 2008 12:01 PM: I wouldn’t believe a word Senator McCain says. As far as securing the border we haven’t heard how he intends to do that. Lets say he does with a huge impregnable fence. What good will that do when he wants a guest worker program that basically will allow 200 to 500 thousand guest workers. Then how do you find them and get them out when their worker programs end.

    A fitting end for McCain will be he and a straight jacket and bobble head dolls in the jacket immortalizing him.


    Publius wrote on February 08, 2008 11:40 AM: It's sad that the only hope for the R party is that McAmnesty will stroke-out while consuming the mountain of crow he needs to eat to engage the base.

    Maybe now, if ever, is the perfect time to start spreading rumors about a new political party in America? Those of us still young enough to remember watching the first MTV broadcast might actually see this in our lifetimes.


    John F wrote on February 08, 2008 10:56 AM: Steve,

    I owe you an apology from the other day re: your comments on Jim Rogers. My comment in response was needlessly insulting and did not treat you with the respect you deserve. I can't really say much in my own defense. I was still upset over Sherman Frederick's comments about Jim Rogers from Sunday and I took it out on you. There was no excuse; I hope you'll forgive me.

    As far as your comments regarding McCain and the Republican party I would have to agree. I can't in good conscience vote for someone who wants to reward illegal behavior (as McCain proposes with amnesty) or looks forward to a hundred years of American troops in Iraq. McCain simply represents the status quo. The only problem is, what's the alternative? Hillary?

    Jefferson famously wrote, "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical." Perhaps that time has come.


    Steve wrote on February 08, 2008 10:20 AM: John,

    I'm a registered Republican and I cannot realistically argue with your points.


    jep wrote on February 08, 2008 08:50 AM: The mountain doesn't come to Mohammad and so McAmnesty must be the one to reach out to the disaffected party base.

    Have no doubts about it, McAmnesty is the candidate of the Washington party establishment and not the base. His appeal to Independents and Democrats come from bashing Republicans.


    John wrote on February 08, 2008 08:49 AM: It doesn't matter who the Republicans nominate. An unpopular war and a recession will ensure a Democratic victory regardless of who the Democrats nominate. Republicans better hope they can maintain at least 40 senators or there will be unchecked Democratic control.

    Quite frankly, Republicans deserve this outcome. 6 years of total control has left us with out of control illegal immigration, staggering deficits and an ill advised poorly executed war in Iraq. The party of so called competence and restraint turned out to be exactly the opposite.


    timinator wrote on February 08, 2008 08:39 AM: This will be the 6th straight RINO that the Republican party has anointed. The people that still believe in the Founder's principles of limited government, low taxes, and a sound monetary system must break away from the Republican Party. It no longer supports those ideals, and is only a mirror image of the Democratic Party from 30 or 40 years ago, and McPain is its poster child.

    Hopefully we can support Ron Paul a while longer, and keep the message of true Americanism on the table for people to consume.


    Fausto wrote on February 08, 2008 08:37 AM: "Well maybe now Ron Paul will get some media attention. Just wishful thinking though."

    Wishful thinking? Ron Paul has had exposure to everyone. Forcing him in front of us more isn't going to help him, because we already know of his ideals (not the ideals his supporters want to give him), he'll still poll at little more than 4%.

    He lost here in Nevada...and it's well past time for all of his supporters to run around and take down ALL of the signs they have placed up on PUBLIC property. You know, that's the property EVERYONE owns...not just Ron Paul supporters. Please, it's a matter of decency.


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