Posted on 04/08/2006 9:36:25 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
McCain Emphasizing His Conservative Bona Fides By ADAM NAGOURNEY
KEENE, N.H., April 8 Senator John McCain began his week by embracing the Rev. Jerry Falwell, the conservative religious leader he once denounced as polarizing. He ended it by joining Senator Edward M. Kennedy, the liberal Massachusetts icon, in a fight for an immigration bill opposed by many conservatives.
Mr. McCain has long sought to present himself as a singular sort of American politician straight-talking, iconoclastic and hard to quantify. But as he began a campaign-style trip here that will take him through Florida, Ohio and Iowa, he faced an extraordinarily complex political challenge as he sought to appeal to an unusually diverse audience and cement his early standing in the emerging Republican presidential field.
Mr. McCain's alliance with Mr. Kennedy came as he has embarked on a campaign to repair strains with conservatives and a once-wary Bush White House. He is portraying himself as a lifelong conservative and a steadfast supporter of President Bush, once a political rival, courting his senior staff members and fund-raisers.
He has endorsed Bush tax cuts he once criticized as fiscally ruinous, and agreed to appear at a commencement at Liberty University, headed by Mr. Falwell, whom Mr. McCain once called an agent "of intolerance."
But a strategy designed to muscle him through the 2008 Republican primaries should he ultimately run, which aides says is likely but not definite risks diluting the independent image that has been central to his political appeal. Already, Mr. McCain is facing stiff questions from supporters and critics about how far he will go to win support from conservative leaders who have long been wary of him.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Don't nobody around here confuse McCain with a conservative. He's out for himself, and off the reservation on too many issues as far as I am concerned. We can do better.
McCain is dead to us.
That ought to be a quick speech. McCain is an enemy of conservatives, his goal is the socialist state, the all-powerful and permanent government clique of 'betters' such as himself. McCain's "Campaign Finance Reform" is nothing more than a power-grab for incumbent pols and their old media tools.
I hope he does run in 08, it will be nice to put McStain in his place again. Can't believe this RINO keeps lying so successfully to his constituents down there in AZ, you'd think with their border problems they'd have gotten rid of pro-amnesty McCain long ago.
Allen - Tancredo in 2008!
Anybody that would link his name to that of Russ Finegold, a man that clearly thinks the Constitution is to be trashed, on legislation that restricts free speech, can never have the respect, or votes, of conservatives.
I could have sworn that headline read "Communist Bona Fides."
Tancredo has been a voice crying in the wilderness for too long.......
that is about to change!!
I hope Mc Cain does not get the nomination, I would be torn between voting for him or another democrat. He has not inspired me, he is a self centered left leaning Republican trying to push himself off as a moderate.
I can honestly say that there are a few Democrats that I would vote for before I voted for John McCain. Besides, what guarentees do Republicans have that McCain won't split and form a third party if he doesn't get the nomination?
I agree. Tancredo is a tireless conservative. In fact I wouldn't mind if it was the other way around:
Tancredo - Allen in 2008, or Tancredo - Harris (Kathleen) in 2008.
Allen is a little softer than I thought on some issues...
Fool me once --shame on you ,fool me twice--shame on me.
McCain wont be fooling me again.
McCain & Kennedy = Same-o same-o
McCain & Kerry = Same-o same-o
McCain & anyone = Not now, not later, not ever.
McCain will NEVER get my vote.
What is it McCain really stands for?
Nothing.
Well, maybe himself.
Let him. What will he take ... the non rabid Democrats?
The man is not only a loser, he is an abrasive loser.
McCain . . . Sorry folks, no way. No way. Just can't do it.
Only those who think that this Senate Amnesty bill was real reform would believe this nonsense. Even McMain voted against own bill.
They can talk this nonsense all they want.
When McCain heads South, he won't find warm greetings.
Look no futher than the recent straw poll in Memphis.
Allen - Tancredo in 2008.
I'd get out and vote for that ticket.
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