Conservatives Weigh Options on McCain

Conservatives Weigh Options on McCain

WASHINGTON (AP) — Conservatives are nearly resigned to seeing front-runner John McCain capture the Republican presidential nomination, but they are still debating whether to stay home in November or to try to influence his positions and choice of a running mate.

The Arizona senator, who has a long history of disputes over economic and social issues with his party's right flank, is beginning to reach out to those critics now that Super Tuesday voting has given him a commanding lead in the race for delegates and his chief rival, Mitt Romney, suspended his campaign

"He's got nine months to give birth to a conservative support group," said Cleta Mitchell, chairman of the American Conservative Union Foundation.

Mitchell spoke as party activists gathered at the Conservative Political Action Conference where McCain was pitching his candidacy to a skeptical audience in a Thursday afternoon speech.

McCain planned to tell the group he cannot succeed without their support and any differences within the GOP are eclipsed by his differences with Democratic presidential hopefuls Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

"It is my sincere hope that, even if you believe I have occasionally erred in my reasoning as a fellow conservative, you will still allow that I have, in many ways important to all of us, maintained the record of a conservative," McCain said in his prepared remarks.

The day before, a leading Christian conservative revealed that McCain had personally reached out to him.

The Rev. Jonathan Falwell — son of the late Rev. Jerry Falwell who made the religious right a political force when he helped found the Moral Majority in 1979 — said Wednesday that he had a telephone talk with McCain within the past 24 hours. Falwell, who succeeded his father as pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Va., said he wasn't ready to endorse a candidate but wanted to hear more from the Arizona senator on the issues.

"I look forward to seeing what McCain's plan is to unite the party," Falwell said, "and to see what he has to say in the coming days on the social agenda." He also expressed interest in hearing more from McCain on national security, the economy, Supreme Court nominees, and "how to protect human life and traditional marriage."

McCain's outreach to conservatives comes after he has garnered nearly 60 percent of the delegates needed for nomination. He's won more delegates than rivals Romney, Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul combined.

As a result, conservatives angered over McCain's stands on immigration, campaign finance and President Bush's tax cuts are talking less about stopping McCain and have begun to discuss whether they can influence his positions or his selection of a running mate.

For McCain, the challenge is to sound a unifying theme without appearing too malleable or swayed by political convenience. McCain recognizes that tacking to the right could hurt his support among independents and moderates that have helped him get this far.

"I'm aware there's a very fine line between inspiring in unity and pandering," McCain said Wednesday. "You know, you've got to present it in the right way, of course."

Mitchell is one who does not expect McCain to undergo a transformation.

"He's 70,000 years old, he's not going to change," she said.

Right now she is not supporting any of the Republican candidates in the field. If not satisfied by Nov. 7, she said, she may well sit the election out.

"It's a very American privilege not to vote," she said.

For some conservatives, McCain's emergence is a sign that the Republican Party is abandoning conservatives.

"The Republican Party has left the moral conservative base adrift," said Jerome Corsi, a conservative activist and co-author of "Unfit for Command," a book that attacked 2004 Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry's Vietnam service.

"If the Republican Party doesn't come to its senses soon, I think there will be a lot of sitting out or discussion about a third party being formed or supported," Corsi said

I don't think McCain can get support from many Democrats. He is a very aggressive guy and i dont think anyone would want to support him. Even though he is the leading man from the republican party i think that Clinton or Obama will end up winning.

Hillary Clinton makes tardy stop at Arlington high school

Hillary Clinton makes tardy stop at Arlington high school

The day after Hillary Clinton revealed she had loaned her campaign $5 million, the presidential candidate offered to pay the cost of running school buses past their normal hours after she was late for a rally at an Arlington County high school.

Students and other county residents had been sitting in the bleachers at Washington-Lee High School's gym for more than two hours Thursday before Clinton took the stage around 4:30 p.m.

"Hello Arlington," Clinton said before apologizing for her tardiness. "My schedule got a little out of balance."

A campaign spokesman didn't know why Clinton was late, but the school's principal warned the crowd the speech was going to be later than expected.

Clinton was "running a little late," Gregg Robertson told the crowd around 3 p.m. "All politicians run a little late. Let's just hope she's not as late as her husband used to be."

Around 3:45 p.m., Robertsonl took the stage again and announced the candidate was on her way, and the school would keep buses there until 5:30 p.m. so everyone could still get home.

"Hillary volunteered to pay for the buses," Robertson said. "I think that was nice."

The Clinton spokesman confirmed the campaign offered to pick up the tab for any extra expense the school incurred because of the late bus runs.

Despite the delay, Robertson said the school was excited to host the candidate because it was a chance for its students to be "on the front lines" of the election process.

On Monday, students at the University of Virginia will get a look at Clinton when the candidate serves as guest lecturer at a government class there, according to the spokesman. Clinton and her opponent for the Democratic nomination, Barack Obama, are scheduled to speak Saturday at a Jefferson-Jackson Day event in Richmond

I think it was irresponsible of her to be late for her speech. It was a nice thing for her to pay for the buses because she made the students wait. I have to admit i'd be excited myself if i got a chance to meet her.

Where Candidates Stand After Super Tuesday

Where Candidates Stand After Super Tuesday

John McCain and Barack Obama should be feeling good today. McCain's way out in front with a delegate total of 613, Mitt Romney 269, Mike Huckabee 190.

About 1,200 delegates are needed to win the Republican nomination. So at this point, John McCain is more than halfway there with some friendly primaries coming up. So he's in good shape.

On the Democratic side, it's a tie with some Obama-friendly primaries coming up next Tuesday in D.C., Virginia and Maryland. So he has momentum. But Senator Clinton's certainly in the hunt.

The Associated Press reports that Senator Clinton has 845 delegates, Barack Obama 765. But Obama's camp says their man has more delegates. Let's just call it a dead heat.

I'm very excited to see what happens. I really hope Obama can beat Hilary. I don't believe she will be a good president. I'm not very surprised about McCain almost winning. I always thought he would win the Republican party.

Obama, Clinton Go for Black Vote in SC

Obama, Clinton Go for Black Vote in SC

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — In beauty shops, churches and living rooms, organizers for Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton are in a fierce competition for the support of black voters in the upcoming first-in-the-South presidential primary.

Obama's campaign is counting on blacks who traditionally make up half of the Democratic primary voters here to deliver the state to him on Jan. 26, a victory that he hopes will help fuel momentum going into the "Mega Tuesday" voting in 22 states 10 days later. But he'll have to fend off Clinton, who comes with one of the most beloved political surnames in the black community.

The outreach is especially targeted at black women, who are reliable voters and who both campaigns recognize may feel loyalties to each candidate. And so far women have made the difference in the campaign — Obama won a majority of women in Iowa and took the state, while Clinton took most women and most votes overall in New Hampshire.

Juanita Edwards is one such voter. She came to see both candidates when they campaigned near her hometown of Simpsonville and still feels torn about which to vote for. Edwards said she's leaning toward Clinton because she likes that she had exposure to international affairs and health care during her time as first lady. But race and gender are on her mind too.

"I definitely respect the opportunity to vote for the first woman president and the first African-American president," she said. "If I have to lean toward one, I always lean toward a strong, intelligent woman."

In the early days of the primary race last year, Clinton had the advantage in polls here and she's won over many influential black leaders. But Obama has been able to turn that around, partly by establishing his credentials with the Iowa victory.

"What's important to a lot of African-Americans in general and certainly in South Carolina is that he's not a symbolic candidate," said David Bositis, an analyst at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. "He's in it to win."

Obama has courted South Carolina voters through a labor-intensive effort aimed at black communities. He has a large campaign staff that tries to win over preachers and barbers who hold sway in the community, and those organizers also hold meetings with small groups of people — mostly women — in their homes.

The message has a different focus than it did in Iowa and New Hampshire, where almost all voters are white. It stresses Obama's civil rights work, his faith and the struggles he faced growing up, only to end up in Ivy League schools.

"Dream of a president who was raised like Barack was by a single mom who had to work and go to school and raise her kids and accept food stamps once in a while," the candidate's wife, Michelle Obama, said on a visit to the state in November. "Imagine a president who knows what that's like."

It's a story that Deborah Williams says she shares with the two sons that she's raised on her own.

"He's an example of somebody who was raised by a single parent and came out on top and still cares for somebody else," she said. "That's what I always tell my sons; you have to care for others and you have to get your education."

Williams, who came to the College of Charleston on Thursday to see Obama speak, said she will vote for him in the primary, even though at first she was backing Clinton.

"Initially I was supporting her because I must say I'm a Bill Clinton fan," said Williams, an elementary school teacher's assistant. "But then Barack came along and had all the things to say about change."

John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, endorsed Obama here on Thursday to send a message to South Carolina voters that Obama is not simply a candidate for blacks, but one who crosses the racial divide. It also could tell black voters who haven't been reassured by Obama's win in Iowa that he's a candidate who can be embraced by white America.

The Clintons have yet to announce a visit to South Carolina after her win in New Hampshire, and Obama advisers say they wonder whether she's going to campaign in the state. There's a theory that she could skip it, then argue that he was able to win because it was a predominantly black election.

Clinton adviser Minyon Moore said that won't happen. "It's her intention to be in South Carolina and work for every vote there," Moore said. "I can assure you that she's not abandoning South Carolina. There are trips being planned."

Asked how Obama was able to chip away at Clinton's lead among black voters, Moore pointed to a rally last month that drew nearly 30,000 to see the Illinois senator and his most famous friend. "He did have a lovely event with Oprah Winfrey, and we do credit him with that," she said.

Obama advisers say it's unlikely Oprah will make it back to campaign. But spouses of both candidates could help. Bill Clinton would be a powerful draw should the campaign decide to send him. Michelle Obama plans to campaign next week in Georgetown, S.C., her maternal grandfather's hometown.

I had never thought about how close this race might be. I always thought that the African American women would vote for Obama along with the males but now that i read this article i see that Clinton has a chance. I never thought that African females would support here but i can see that they might support her. A lot of women support her and i didn't think it'd make a difference but now that i read i see it does make a difference.

Two Michigan newspapers back Romney

Two Michigan newspapers back Romney

Mitt Romney claimed endorsements today from two newspapers in Michigan, his native state where he is focusing his wounded presidential bid.

The Grand Rapids Press, in its editorial, says that Romney and John McCain would both offer "solid leadership," but "when it comes to Michigan's challenges and needs, the passion and knowledge of Mr. Romney tip the scales in his favor."

In its endorsement, the Oakland Press also cites Romney's ties to the state and says he "certainly has the credentials to run the country."

McCain, however, has endorsements from the state's two largest newspapers -- the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News -- in his pocket.

The Arizona senator, Romney, and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee are leading the field heading into Tuesday's Republican primary. McCain and Huckabee are also battling in South Carolina, where Republicans vote four days later, but Romney has pulled his advertising from South Carolina to marshal his resources for Michigan.

I think Romney should move on and try to win other states. He already has support from Michigan and he should worry about other States. If he takes his time the other candidates are going to get to the other states before him. He has a lot of work to do so that he won't fall behind.

McCain defies odds in make- or-break win

McCain defies odds in make- or-break win

TWO months ago US commentators were writing John McCain's political obituary; after his win in the Republican primary in New Hampshire he is being lauded as the best chance for America's next Republican president.

Throughout the week supporters have chanted: "Mac is back, Mac is back" at his rallies.

On Tuesday night they were shouting it with jubilation, and with good reason. Senator McCain's resurrection is something of a political miracle.

Senator McCain began the race mid-last year as the favorite - a well respected war hero, who survived six years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. The experience broke his body and ruined his first marriage but Senator McCain survived and now uses that experience to illustrate his strength of character.

As a senior Republican senator he has had a reputation for speaking his mind and doing what he considers right, a characteristic that earned him enemies within his own party but respect from the media and many of his Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle. For example, he opposed George Bush's tax cuts in 2000, arguing that they were unfunded and unaffordable, although he eventually accepted them.

He also ran for president in 2000 against Mr Bush, so was the better-known of the candidates. New Hampshire was the high point of his 2000 campaign, which he won with nearly 50 per cent of the vote.

But as 2007 progressed a series of events saw him plummet in the polls. The chief reason was his co-sponsorship of legislation, supported by the White House, to deal with the 12 million illegal immigrants in the US. Senator McCain proposed tightening up the borders but providing a pathway for those already there.

Critics screamed that it was amnesty by another name and the bill was dropped. His immigration stance could come back to haunt him in the Midwest, but balanced against that is his reputation as a staunch supporter of the Iraq "surge" and his military background.

The turnaround in Senator McCain's fortunes began before Christmas. He and other senators who had served in Vietnam took a strong stand against the practice of waterboarding, describing it as torture.

It was one example of how he would speak his mind even if it meant going against his president. Like Barack Obama, he has marketed himself as telling people the truth, something that seems to be resonating with Republican voters.

Meanwhile, Senator McCain zeroed in on New Hampshire as the place that would make or break him in the 2008 race.

Like Senator Obama he has pursued independent voters as well as registered Republicans. But he has also won Republicans, who said in exit polls that they saw him as the strongest leader in times of war and terrorism. That is bad news for Rudolph Giuliani, who also hopes to win voters looking for a leader in troubled times.

I'm not surprised that he is doing better. I would rather have him win instead of Giuliani. When we were doing the questions for all the candidates i found out a lot of negative things on GIuliani. I didn't know that McCain was a prisoner of war when he was younger. I think he will also be a descent candidate but all of my support is still on Obama.

CBS Poll: Obama Leaps Ahead In N.H.

CBS Poll: Obama Leaps Ahead In N.H.

(CBS) Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has opened up a seven-point lead on Hillary Clinton among New Hampshire voters on the eve of that state's primary, according to a new CBS News poll.

Among likely Democratic primary voters, Obama leads Clinton 35 percent to 28 percent with John Edwards getting 19 percent in the poll. The poll re-interviewed the same group of voters that CBS News surveyed in November. In that poll, Clinton led Obama 39 percent to 19 percent with Edwards getting just nine percent support.
[...]
By winning the Iowa caucuses, Obama appears to have put questions about his electability to rest for many New Hampshire voters. Forty-two percent in the latest poll said they believe Obama has the best chance of winning the general election, up from just 11 percent in November. In the earlier poll, 72 percent gave Clinton the best chance of winning but 41 percent of those same voters now say so.

And Obama has a large lead among self-described independents, an important block of voters in New Hampshire. Forty-one percent of independents support Obama, compared to just 24 percent who say they are backing Clinton. Clinton maintains a slight lead among Democrats, 33 percent to 30 percent for Obama. More than four in ten likely voters who say they will vote in the Democratic primary are independents.
[...]
On the Republican side, CBS News reached too small a number of Republican primary voters from the November poll to create a reliable estimate for that race. On the individual level, however, John McCain picked up supporters from other candidates, while Mitt Romney lost some of his November supporters. Mike Huckabee’s win in Iowa did not seem to gain him many new voters in New Hampshire.

I am not surprised by the way things are going. I never believed in Hilary. She got too much fame at first and now I'm not surprised that people are starting to get tired of her and lose faith in her. I'm glad that Obama is doing better than her. He deserves the presidency more than her.