Posted on 02/06/2008 1:59:01 PM PST by SE Mom
WASHINGTON (AP) — One might expect Republican senators to cheer the prospect of a colleague becoming the party's presidential nominee.
In the small and clubby Senate environment, however, John McCain's emergence as the undisputed GOP front-runner Wednesday caused a good bit of grumbling, downcast looks and strained attempts at diplomatic comments by associates who have felt the brunt of his sarcasm or clashed with him on policies. ... "A lot of people around here are going to have to recalibrate their attitudes toward John McCain," said Sen. Robert Bennett of Utah, one of several Republican senators who have clashed with McCain. ... "John needs to reach out" to conservatives who feel he has derided or ignored them on key issues, said Bennett, who has endorsed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. " ... Republicans, meanwhile, are split between those who embrace McCain's independent, gung-ho style, and those who feel he has gone out of his way to dismiss evangelical leaders, deep tax cuts, expanded oil and gas exploration, and other touchstones of conservative orthodoxy. ... "These are issues that are constantly brought up by conservatives, that give them some angst," said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, another Romney supporter. ... "McCain is going to have to reach out," said Sen. David Vitter, R-La., who supported Rudy Guiliani but has not yet followed the former New York mayor into the McCain camp. ... "One of the worst bills in my 31 years here is McCain-Feingold," he (Hatch) said, referring to a campaign finance bill that restricted the political parties' ability to pour money into targeted races. ...
(Excerpt) Read more at ap.google.com ...
And when McCain helped a bipartisan band of senators block a showdown over Democrats' efforts to filibuster some of Bush's judicial nominations, "in the eyes of conservatives, he undermined the whole party," Hatch said.
For good measure, Hatch added, "I believe John has been given a pass by the media"_ a favor that Democrats will not extend in the fall. "I think it's going to be very uphill," he said.
~snip~
It’s obvious McCain will the nominee. Time to close ranks and rally around him and win in November.
Why?
McCain isnt well liked or trusted in the Senate. Similar to hillary aka Butch.
McCain to conservatives: “Put some ice on it”.
McCain can kiss my ass so save your breath.
Forget about it. I can not and will not give my vote to one who now asks me to side with him when he choses more times than not to side with the liberals. Time to reconstruct the conservative party starting with the House and the Senate. Worry about the WH later....
The Senate republican country clubbers in angst, having a little meltdown over their maverick. Clowns. Where were you guys at 6 months ago?
No.
if the Pubs are going to lose, they might as well lose standing up and fighting...
because what goes around comes around....the immigration problem will not go away...neither will the Islamists...neither will SS and the massive Medicare program....PROBLEMS will need to be addressed by sound, conservative and practical means...not thru some blowhard....
but just in case, where do we move too?....
not.
Again, why? He's the final nail in the Republican coffin. If you think the last 8 years of Bush-hate has been bad, just wait until McInsane occupies the oval office. He will leave the door open for RATS to win every election for the next 100 years. Better to let them have Shrillary ruin the nation for 4 years and then maybe people will wise up. Otherwise it'll be a Republican (rather an imposter working for the RATS) that they'll be blaming for the sun rising and setting.
There are some who are ready to jump ship and are encouraging others to follow their lead. These are people in the Third Party Camp who have been pushing such a venture for a long time. This McCain situation is just another way to justify this action. They don't want to hold fast with their beliefs and work in the party. They think running from the situation is the answer.
I’m surprised Hatch was so candid. Good for him.
McCain refused to support my party the last 15 years.
Now I refuse to support my party and vote for him.
Dear Poundstone, Pound Sand
that's highly unlikely....many voters; if not all, were taught by ## State Chapter(s) of the NEA, strong Union $hrillary Supporter....but, it doesn't mean we shouldn't try. 8/
“It’s obvious McCain will the nominee. Time to close ranks and rally around him and win in November.”
Win what?
To paraphrase Huey Long: when socialism comes to America, it will be called “conservatism” and be wrapped in a GOP election banner.
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