McCain Booed Again At CPAC

The reservations and skepticism of conservatives over a John McCain candidacy continued today, as attendees at the CPAC conference again booed him and a fellow member of Congress raised concerns over his nomination.

Speaking to a half-filled ballroom, Rep. Mike Pence, a GOP stalwart from Indiana, implored McCain to take on the conservative mantle both in his politics and personality.

"If you will continue to run on conservative issues and continue to build a solid conservative team and ticket, we can and will support you," said Pence. "You've claimed the Reagan mantle. Show us you know how to use it."

But the crowd seemed unimpressed. The mere mention of McCain's name elicited a round of howls from the attendees, compared to the standing ovation that occurred when Mitt Romney's recently-ended candidacy was evoked. Pence acknowledged the crowd's displeasure and offered a proverbial cheat sheet for McCain to win their hearts.

We know you hear us, and that you need this movement to win in the November. The sentiments you expressed from this podium are a very welcome start... They were positions that we all hold dear. But you know that the conservative base is divided and reluctant support from the base from the party won't be enough... You need enthusiasm, foot-stomping, flag-waving enthusiasm, the kind we had for Reagan. And Senator McCain, as much as it would please you to have that kind of enthusiasm for conservatives it would please conservatives even more to have reason to give it....

Pence's address came a day after McCain himself took the podium at CPAC. Organizers had urged the crowd yesterday to remain cordial to the Arizona Republican, who spoke after Romney announced his resignation from the race. And while McCain did receive positive reviews for his speech, he was nevertheless booed when the topic turned to his tryst with immigration reform: a widely unpopular position among conservatives.

Pence, too, brought up a few policy issues in which he and McCain did not see eye-to-eye -- campaign finance reform and climate change, to name a few -- though he never mentioned the Senator by name. But he seemed willing to forgo these disagreements for the sake of party unity.

"Let me be clear: I did not endorse the Senator from Arizona. We have clashed on the issues too many times for that," said the Congressman. "Based on what I have personally seen from John McCain on the floor of the Congress... I could support John McCain for President of the United States. But he's going to have to take a little advice from a friend."

Comments

[MajorKong]

Boy, I'd love to run the Kool-Aid concession at the CPAC conference. I'd be able to retire early.

[researcher]

hey he wants to kill iraqis for 100 years what kind of guy do you want. he is an out and out war monger he fits right into your agenda on that issue.

fascist americans that are destroying this country and this is not a class war. yea right and water does not run down hill.

wake up americans this is not about demos and rpubs this is a class war in full effect. what does it take to awaken the sleeping giant?

and obama is going to pull us all together yea right and hitler was a nice man. fools to think politics can fix america.

study history class warfare has occured in every society and dont expect the spineless demos to do your fighting against these fascists for you.

they do hitler proud.

[kcflood]

Pence is the congressman from my college town in Muncie, Indiana. I HATE HIM!!!!

[Troubledgoodangel]

I feel somewhat sorry for Sen. McCain, for suggesting the granting of citizenship to immigrants already here was my idea. The problem is that the "already here" has somehow disappeared in the translation, and naturally the whole proposition without this phrase turned moronic. We cannot announce to the world that "we offer citizenship to whoever wants to come"! This would create a stampede of immigrants coming to the U.S. by every means from all nations on earth, especially Mexico. In other words, the brilliant idea of increasing U.S. population to better compete with population giants, like EU, India, and China, by making immigrants citizens, requires the a priori securing of the borders! I am glad that Mr. McCain has made this correction in his recent appearances!

[Sneaky]

You don't understand the conservative point of view regarding immigration, then. It recognizes the following:

1) They broke a law to get here. They should be punished for it.

2) Their use of public services is stressing an already-overworked system, especially hospitals, public schools, and social security

3) The majority of Americans don't want amnesty even for those already here.

McCain is one of the most hated in his own party that is running for president, and isn't really running on any issues. He doesn't have good economic solutions. He doesn't have good security solutions. His illegal immigration policies are poor, and he has no single issue he can tout as being hardcore for or even against. At least Giuliani and Romney had the gall to lie about being conservatives and for or against things (despite their records), but McCain doesn't have even that. He's a panderer.

Until our economy is stabilized and repaired (which must be done with our current population, and not with massive population growth), we can't afford to even consider the solution he's advocating regarding illegal immigrants. That's why he was booed so heavily at CPAC.

[desmirl]

Do you suppose the CPAC will one day just simply implode - in the manner of a black hole falling into its own gravity well - because of all the hate they maintain within that dismal organization. Patriots? No. Fascists? Yes.

[Pdubya]

there was only one liberal running for the democats: kucinich

there is only one conservative running for republicans: paul

the rest are global statists. a plutocracy.

paul got a standing ovation at CPAC.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l8AIuJJRZo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oaD9oM4xQo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWlUc8ip5hc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGaZsAeMKFo

[Colmore]

With all the corruption, lies, misconduct and misbehaving on the repug. side, who knew they had "values"??? Coulda fooled me. It appears to me that their "values" include cheating at the polls, taking bribes from lobbyists, cheating on wives, lying over and over. Those who yell loudest about "values" always seem to end up meaning that the values are for everyone BUT them. Mitt Romney should encourage his 5 sons to join the military now that their "job" of helping him become president is over. His fear of terrorism means he would send everyone else's kids to fight while his stayed safe at home. HYPOCRITES all of them. The fact that DeLay is there, touting "values" is enough to turn anyone's stomach.

[soylentgreenleftovers]

Pass the popcorn, this beats any Farrelly bros. movie!

[getoffmedz]

That John McCain is some kind of Liberal is pure spun bullshit by Limbaugh, Rove, et al.

Well OK, compared to Benito Mussolini, John McCain is a Liberal. LMAO

Anyone who buys this crap may be an idiot. America is full of them.