Conservatives Ready To Battle McCain on Convention Platform

[stevedeshazer]

link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/06/AR2008070602322.html?hpid=topnews

<snip>

By Michael D. Shear
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, July 7, 2008; Page A01

Conservative activists are preparing to do battle with allies of Sen. John McCain in advance of September's Republican National Convention, hoping to prevent his views on global warming, immigration, stem cell research and campaign finance from becoming enshrined in the party's official declaration of principles.

McCain has not yet signaled the changes he plans to make in the GOP platform, but many conservatives say they fear wholesale revisions could emerge as candidate McCain seeks to put his stamp on a document that currently reflects the policies and principles of President Bush.

"There is just no way that you can avoid anticipating what is going to come. Everyone is aware that McCain is different on these issues," said Jessica Echard, executive director of the conservative Eagle Forum. "We're all kind of waiting with anticipation because we just don't know how he's going to thread this needle."

McCain has spent the past year and a half trying to straddle the philosophical schism in the modern Republican Party. In primaries, he stressed his conservative credentials, but since clinching the nomination he has often reminded voters of his more moderate stances while professing his fealty to conservative positions.

A platform fight at the convention could disrupt that carefully choreographed effort by highlighting the stark differences in vision for the party separating McCain from some of the GOP's most dedicated activists.

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Bring 'em on!

And imagine GW Bush's keynote, prime-time speech introducing McCain in St. Paul.

:rofl:

[stevedeshazer]

1. Don't ya just love their drunken elephant convention logo?

And, don't forget St. Paul City Council Member Dave Thune's remarks on the proposal to extend bar hours during the Republican Party convention:

"Remember whose ward this is going to end up in -- it's mine. And I've got 8,000 people living downtown who don't want a bunch of puking Republican lobbyists on the streets at four in the morning."

[Hardrada]

2. This might give McBain a headache but no one ever pays any

attention to party platforms anyway. We write them and out candidates for governor use them to scoop dog poop.

[NattPang]

3. Oh my!

"McCain has spent the past year and a half trying to straddle the philosophical schism in the modern Republican Party"

They meant flip flopping, didn't they?
I guess they just can't bring themselves
to just say it.