People are saying that McCain needs to make a good performance at CPAC in order to calm the conservative base that he hasn’t swayed, despite all the talk on the campaign trail. The problem with that any performance McCain gives at CPAC will be just that: a performance. We all already know that McCain isn’t a conservative. He’s a moderate Republican. We’re well aware of the zeal with which he lashes out against us. So if anyone is placated by a quick stop on the campaign trail then we’re in more trouble than I thought.

That being said, given that the competition is all but over, it goes almost without saying that a McCain presidency would be favorable to what either Clinton or Obama have in store for us. The sentiment is mostly echoed, albeit grudgingly, in the links below. We need time to cool off and McCain needs to make some tangible concessions to the base (i.e, a verifiable pledge on border enforcement and judges) so that things can get back on track for November.

The Democrats will probably win, but if we’re going to have a chance, we have to be willing to support the GOP nominee. Even if he’s Straight Talk. The conventional wisdom is that McCain will now pick a conservative Vice President to help things along with his base and the Southern states, but I’ve got an eerie feeling that he might not be able to help his ‘independent’ streak. I don’t trust John McCain to not rub his victory in our face. I’ll say it again: if he rewards Huckabee with the VP slot, I won’t vote for him.

All that hullabaloo aside, if it’s linked on here, it’s worth reading.

Gateway Pundit: Rush Limbaugh: A Vote For Huck Is Vote For McCain
Power Line: Time For A Reality Check
Top Ten Reasons to be optimistic about McCain as the GOP nominee - Right Wing News
McCain-Huckabee — or who? : NRO
Hot Air » Dean Barnett: Tack right left, McCain!
FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog » Will a John McCain GOP Nomination Put California in Play?
What we need. Can John McCain excite us? | Redstate
Babalu Blog: For the conservative voter who has everything
Michelle Malkin » Introducing the John McCain nose plugs
Patterico’s Pontifications » With McCain’s likely insurmountable delegate lead, lets start considering possible running mates
Seven Reasons To Support The GOP’s Nominee - Hugh Hewitt (Romney’s #1 Supporter)
Right Wing Nut House » DELEGATE MATH DOESN’T ADD UP FOR ROMNEY
HOW MCCAIN CAN BEAT THE DEMOCRATS - Instapundit
Riehl World View: Two Blue To Be True
REDSTATE ROUNDTABLE #1: CONSERVATIVES AND THE PRIMARY PROCESS | Redstate
Hot Air » Audio: John McCain wants my vote
Hot Air » Post-Tuesday: Two RINOs enter, one RINO leaves; Update: Mitt to lure delegates away?

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 7th, 2008 at 12:29 AM and is filed under 2008 Race, Conservatism, Republicans. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.