While Pat Robertson got most of the airtime and ink for his Giuliani endorsement, it may be Sam Brownback's endorsement of John McCain that has the most long-term impact. Read his endorsement:
"Today I am proud to endorse my friend and a true American hero, John McCain, for President of the United States. While I respect all of the Republicans running for president this year, John McCain is the only candidate who can rally the Reagan coalition of conservatives, Independents, and conservative Democrats needed to defeat Hillary Clinton or any other Democrat in the general election next year. John McCain has spent a lifetime standing up for human rights around the world, including a consistent 24-year pro-life record of protecting the rights of the unborn. John McCain alone has the courage, leadership and character to lead our party to victory in 2008 while keeping faith with our most cherished values -- life, faith and family."
The endorsement combined with Brownback's comments at the press conference with John McCain underscored those issues that matter so much to social conservatives - pro-life leadership, overturning Roe v. Wade, loving the family - and are Giuliani's weakest spots.
Don't be surprised with a strong McCain showing in Iowa thanks to Brownback's endorsement and with a return of the passionate "Straight Talk Express" in early 2008.
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McCain has still drunk too much Bush Kool-Aid for my taste.
That said, for the bizarre attacks (re. his self-interest) McCain made on televangelists in 2000, it's always surprised me how the pro-life community has held campaign finance and immigration so much against him despite a solid anti-abortion record.
I could live with McCain.
Except he's crazy and has a black child.
(Just kidding!!)
McCain vs Edwards would be a fun election.
Doubt we'll see that, though.
Larry, that's a very fair criticism, McCain did kneel before the demagogues and got rejected. The problem is, I still see value in what used to be called conservatism before the current bunch of big-government, free-spending, law-breaking, anti-globalist, anti-capitalist pinko scolds realized the dictionary was no better protected than the constitution or the Bible. If you believe in the values formerly known as conservatism, your only choices are really McCain who is somewhat tainted by Bush (although innocent of Bush' supporters) and Ron Paul who would be a great President if he weren't a gold bug obsessed with paranoid fantasies about the Federal Reserve. Actually, after McCain and Paul and maybe Thompson, Clinton and Obama are the next most reaganite candidates.
My steamy secret fantasy is President McCain nominating Paul to the Supreme Court. I'd enjoy watching Scalia and Thomas have to sit next to a real strict constructionist.
Skip Church, I agree. Those would be great debates. Giuliani Clinton will be like sprinkling salt in your eyes and pouring acetone in your ears.
Man, I feel better.
Ron Paul on the Supreme Count!!!
For LIFE!
Man, that would be worth going to see in person.
Doug --Great post!
Made my Friday. I'll have to remember the bit about the dictionary. Brilliant.
"Giuliani Clinton will be like sprinkling salt in your eyes and pouring acetone in your ears."
What a metaphor! And, sadly, what a true one (and possibly even a likely one ...).