The buzz before John McCain’s appearance at the Conservative Political Action Committee’s annual conference yesterday focused on organizers’ efforts to prevent attendees from booing the senator. It wasn’t entirely successful — McCain heard a smattering of boos before he spoke, and plenty more when he brought up immigration policy.
But that was more the exception than the rule. In fact, the Arizona senator told the far-right crowd most of what it wanted to hear (which, coincidentally, is what Dems who want to characterize McCain as too far to the right wanted to hear as well).
…McCain did his best to offer the crowd the red meat it craves. He vowed to lower taxes, appoint judges “of the character and quality of Justices Roberts and Alito,” and reject “big government” solutions to health care, like the ones being offered by the Democratic candidates. He also hammered away on his own support for the current military effort in Iraq, declaring, “I intend to win the war.” As for his differences with movement conservatives, he promised mainly to listen respectfully to those the ideologues represented in the room.
“We have had a few disagreements,” McCain said. “And none of us will pretend that we won’t continue to have a few. But even in disagreement, especially in disagreement, I will seek the counsel of my fellow conservatives. If I am convinced my judgment is in error, I will correct it. And if I stand by my position, even after benefit of your counsel, I hope you will not lose sight of the far more numerous occasions when we are in accord.”
Time’s Michael Scherer talked to one attendee who said after the speech that he still couldn’t bring himself to vote for McCain, but Scherer said he “represented little more than a small, albeit vocal, fringe.”
Yep, as it turns out, much of the virulently anti-McCain contingent could be won over after all. It took one speech, in which the senator reminded them that they agree with him more than they disagree with them.
I tend to rely on far-right blogs as a barometer of conservative thought, and the animosity towards McCain has been consistent and fierce for months.
And wouldn’t you know it, many leading far-right sites, which have gone out of their way to blast the Arizona senator, sang McCain’s praises after his CPAC speech.
* Hugh Hewitt: “It was a strong appeal to conservatives’ strongest suit –their deep patriotism and their admiration of his sacrifices and service…. November’s vote will be a referendum on whether to pursue victory or accept retreat in the war. Senator McCain has Governor Romney’s support in that campaign, and he should have the support of all conservatives as well.” (He added that the speech was “superb.”)
* Tammy Bruce: “[W]hile it was no kumbaya moment, I was more impressed than I thought I would be.”
* Mary Katharine Ham: “He’s hitting the right notes, I must say, confronting his problems head-on and ginning up some excitement over protecting the country against the likes of Hillary and Obama.”
* Ed Morrissey: “That was an excellent speech. McCain genuinely reached out to conservatives in a heartfelt manner.”
* Ramesh Ponnuru: “All in all, a good speech.”
* John Hawkins: “I am hearing McCain’s speech as he’s giving it and I am liking it.”
* Kathryn Jean Lopez: “This McCain speech would not have been given today, if it weren’t for folks like Mark Levin, Rush Limbaugh, Andy McCarthy, Sean Hannity, and Laura Ingraham. Can I thank them on behalf of America?”
That last one was my particular favorite, because it was an example of the right taking credit for McCain’s conservative beliefs, which the right insisted didn’t exist yesterday morning.
As Steve M. concluded, And just like that, with one speech … I think McCain is back in many wingnuts’ good graces.”
This is hardly a surprise. They’re conservative, McCain is conservative. They want another four years of Bush tax cuts and Cheney foreign policy, and McCain wants to give them another four years of Bush tax cuts and Cheney foreign policy.
Of course they’re going to return to the fold once a GOP nominee emerges.