« Padilla Ruled Mentally Fit For Trial | Main | Walter Reed Commander Fired »

GOP Slate -- Sans McCain -- Appeal To Conservatives in D.C.

The right is less than thrilled about the top three GOP White House hopefuls, and aren't shy about lamenting their plight to the press. The New York Times reported over the weekend that Christian conservatives tried to persuade South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford to run during a meeting of influential Christian conservatives last month, and to no avail. But it's probably too early to characterize what the religious right may be feeling as despair; after all, it is still very early in the election cycle.

And that is why second- and third-tier hopefuls have reason to stay in contention. They will get a shot alongside the big guns to state their case before the conservative grassroots starting today at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Omni Shoreham hotel in Washington. Speakers include Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Rudy Giuliani and Sam Brownback. (NJ On Call will be filing dispatches tomorrow.)

Notice anyone missing from that list?

The Washington Times did this morning: "Sen. John McCain is the only major Republican presidential candidate who will not address the nation's premier gathering of conservatives this year." Why McCain would skip an audience with an influential group of conservatives might seem a mystery, considering his quasi-announcement on "Late Show With David Letterman" last night and questions about his conservative bona fides. The Times quotes "conservative activists" speculating that McCain tried to have it both ways, by declining to make a televised speech but reportedly asking to host a private reception at the hotel for attendees.

A campaign aide who wished not to be identified said that McCain's campaign staff asked to reserve a room so they, not McCain, could meet with college Republicans attending CPAC.

Much has been made of McCain's alleged about-face on the religious right. More than any of the GOP slate, the Arizona senator is getting hit from either side of the political spectrum. He has reached out to evangelist Jerry Fallwell for his '08 run, to the consternation of moderates in both parties. He has been a harsh critic of war in Iraq while backing President Bush's decision to send more troops to Baghdad -- a move that has incensed just about everyone. This week, a group called Citizens United Political Victory Fund began circulating a 23-page dossier [PDF] titled "He’s No Ronald Reagan: Why Conservatives Should Not Vote for John McCain."

Campaign spokesman Matt David told NJ On Call, "Sen. McCain's 20-year record of consistent, common-sense conservatism speaks for itself. The definition of conservative is what you believe, not what meetings you attend."

So far, the McCain pile-on seems mostly to be benefiting Rudy Giuliani, but polls indicate Republican voters aren't clear on his moderate to liberal positions on social issues (sub. req.). Maybe that's why Democratic strategist Bruce Reed could barely hide his glee in this post on his Slate blog: "If you happen to visit Washington this weekend, don't go anywhere near the annual Conservative Political Action Conference. Conservatives are so desperate for a presidential candidate who has never let them down, they might grab any stranger who walks by the Omni Shoreham."

Posted on March 1, 2007 10:54 AM | Permalink