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DEL.ICIO.USRalph Reed’s advice for John McCain: ‘Build those bridges quick.’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey of Marietta, who had backed Mitt Romney in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, was to announce today that he’s backing Sen. John McCain.
Not a surprise, since Romney himself endorsed the presumptive GOP nominee on Thursday.
But to truly understand the effort that many Republican conservatives are making to unify their fractured party, look no further than Ralph Reed.
If you know Georgia politics, then you recognize that there’s been something of a gulf between McCain and Reed, a former state GOP chairman and the former head of the Christian Coalition. We need not go into specifics here.
But twice this week, Reed offered the Arizona senator some public, constructive advice on courting the social and fiscal conservatives who feel shortchanged by his success.
The first venue was the influential Beltway blog operated by David Brody, the political correspondent for the Christian Broadcasting Network. In it, Reed called McCain’s CPAC speech last week “a good first step.”
Wrote Reed:
”There is still much work to do for McCain to win conservative hearts and minds. I talked to two nationally prominent social conservative leaders over the weekend who told me that right now they do not plan to vote for McCain….
“What can McCain do? First, he should choose a running mate with strong conservative credentials, both on social issues and economic issues. Then he should adopt a conservative platform at the convention, and run a general election campaign that sounds conservative themes on taxes, terrorism, and values.
“If he does those things, he should be able to unite the party. If not, it will be difficult to rally the grassroots and win a highly competitive, close race in November.”
Then there was the note that Reed sent to us this week:
“In the Virginia primary, self-identified evangelicals doubled from eight years ago to 4 out of every 10 voters, and Huckabee won them 62 percent to 30 percent.
“Huckabee also won the larger conservative vote 51 percent to 38 percent. It is imperative for McCain to build a bridge to these voters because he needs their enthusiasm to win in November.
“McCain’s campaign must recognize that there is no quick fix. Like any troubled relationship, McCain’s difficulties with conservatives and faith-based voters did not happen overnight, and will not be repaired overnight.
“It will require an ongoing effort by McCain to allay the concerns of conservatives and reassure them. Before he can turn to defining [Hillary] Clinton or [Barack] Obama in a general election campaign, building a bridge to conservatives and faith-based voters in his own party must be McCain’s highest priority.”
Comments
By Beth
February 14, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this
Romney’s endorsement changes absolutely nothing for those of us who support Governor Huckabee as the only choice for President, though I DO wonder just how hard Mitt had to hold his nose to do it. Does anyone remember McCain and Romney b%^&% slapping each other in the California debates over “timelines”? Good grief- politics makes for uneasy, queasy bedfellows. I never liked Mitt, anyway- he’s the most artificial, plastic politician in recent memory- and he just proved it. PLEASE, Conservatives: check out Mike Huckabee’s stands on all the issues that matter to you. You DO have a choice. This can easily be a brokered convention, and your voice should be heard.
By MIKE.OKC,OK
February 14, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
I DON’T GIVE A DAM WHAT ANY ONE SAYS IAM RIDING WITH BIG JOHN , AND IAM BRINGING HELL WITH ME , ANY CHICKEN SH** ! REPUBLICAN THAT WANTS TO STAY BEHIND AT FORT HUCKABEE WITH THE OLD WOMAN AND CHILDREN OR HIDE BEHIND THE SAFE WALLS OF FORT BUSH, WILL HAVE GOD’S HELL TO PAY,HA HEAR ! GOD’S HELL TO PAY! HA HEAR! … GOOD ,NOW LETS SADDLE UP ,AND MOVE OUT !
By Romegaguy
February 14, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
I am surprised that Ralphy’s first suggestion wasnt for McCain to hire him to bridge the gap with the “Conservatives” because if there is one thing we have learned is Ralph is for sale or at least for lease…
By Jerry
February 15, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
I hate to see McCain kissing up to the wing nuts of the religious right. I know it’s impossible in politics for a man of honor to be honorable all of the time, but kissing the ring of some idiot TV preacher is - well - unmanly.
By flip wilson
February 15, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
Ah, once again Mr. Reed is being disingenuous at best. The reason that the PERCENTAGE of evangelical voters “doubled” in the VA GOP primary is that almost all Independents, and some Republicans, voted in the Democratic race. Obama got more votes than all the Republicans COMBINED and Clinton got 100K more than McCain. I’m sure Mr. Reed knows this, but I guess he can’t help being deceitful.
By Tom Hayes
February 15, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
Ralph Reed has always been a political assassin. He will never change. He is an example of bad religion….. He has no place in the news, unless the news is his obit!
By Marge
February 15, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
McCain is a loser against either Democrat. We don’t care who endorses him even if it is the Pope! Why should Congressman Gingrey endorse him? It is total hypocrasy and you’re not uniting anyone. The conservative base viscerally HATES McCain and it doesn’t matter what he says now nor who he puts in the VP slot as they will only be a token. He still wants to give amnesty to millions of illegal aliens and scolded anyone who believes in lawfulness. The same beltway Republicans annointed another one of their insiders..same old story..but this time…their strategy will not work…most conservatives I know can’t hold their nose and vote for this guy McCain and the Party should have seen this coming. We saw the back door deals with last minute endorsements to sway the margins in his direction. Huckabee is a spoiler since he is perceived nationally as a Gomer Pyle hick even if he is much better than McCain. Romney would have been the best guy to put out there but for some reason the Huckster and McCain made an alliance to take him down. …interesting how Huckabee never put down McCain but hammered Romney…quite unlike a bishop. He is still out there in a fog, playing his bass guitar. Guess he still doesn’t know he lost.
By GaConservative007
February 16, 2008 1:22 AM | Link to this
Monica Lewinsky’s ex-boyfriends’ wife for President.
By sheryl
February 16, 2008 4:01 AM | Link to this
I trust Mitt Romney completely. He’s such an honest man that has both goodness and greatness about his character. If he is endorsing John McCain then John McCain has my vote.
As Romney says “evil extremism” needs to be defeated and the Democrats have proved today (with letting FISA expire) that they don’t care about protecting our country.
Also, even though I find Mike Huckabee to be a religious bigot and I hate his class warfare rhetoric and I think he is pretty stupid generally, I’d still vote for a Republican over a Democrat because of the need to protect this country.
The evangelicals who hate Romney because of his faith and won’t vote for him are no better than the rankerous hateful Shiite/ Sunni divide of the Muslim faith.
As an agnostic, these types of evangelical people are the main reason I don’t like most religions. Their beliefs divide people and bring hate and prejudice to the world.
By Dr BLT
February 17, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
Go, John McCain! Merle Haggard, whose fighting side I once trusted enough to write this song about:
Merle Hasn’t Lost His Fightin’ Side Dr BLT copyright 2008 http://www.drblt.net/music/MerleVeryLast.mp3
recently wrote a favorable song about Hillary. Apparently, he’s turned soft of politics. Here’s my answer to Merle, a song that serves as a tribute to you:
The Maverick Dr BLT copyright 2008 http://www.drblt.net/music/MaverickDemo2.mp3
By GodHatesTrash
February 17, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
Get Little Ralphie on your side Mr. McCain - meet him at the airport mens room - tap your foot…
By Churchill
February 17, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
Speaking of picking up, does anyone remember when Rep. Barney Frank (D-NY) ran a homosexual brothel out of his home? Or when Rep. Gary Studds D-MA)was censured for molesting a 17 year old boy? Since Trash is bringing up off- topic sex scandals, I thought I would too. This could be a fun game.
By GodHatesTrash
February 18, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this
I bet you think tapping your foot in the mens room is a fun game you sick POS freak!
You stupid English poof.
By Churchill
February 18, 2008 1:24 AM | Link to this
Canadian wannabe. I still rent you the Hybrid for the last 40 miles, Trash. In the mean time, we could chronicle Bill Clinton’s history of sexually abusing women.
By GodHatesTrash
February 18, 2008 6:14 AM | Link to this
Churchill, you silly light-loafered POS - what do you know about sex with women?
Not a damn thing, trash.
By Craig
February 18, 2008 6:33 AM | Link to this
sheryl, the Dems didn’t let FISA expire. Try to get your news from someplace other than talk radio.
And GHT, don’t let Church get to you. His party applauded the good Senator Vitter and his diapers. bizarre…
By GodHatesTrash
February 18, 2008 6:58 AM | Link to this
Not worried about Churchill - I’ll probably never meet him, since I use public toilets sparingly, and just to urinate and/or defecate.
The temptations of a slack-jawed obese pasty-faced yokel like Churchill kneeling in a mens room stall are completely lost on me.
By Churchill
February 18, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
More tripe from Trash. I counted on as much.
By Antineocon
February 18, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
Since when did it become critical for any political candidate to take the advice of Ralph Reed, who “pimped himself out” to make money for himself and his crooked business partner/convicted felon, Jack Abramoff? Are people’s memeories THAT short? Reed’s credentials as a political analyst and supposed Christian values were discredited by his less than Christian way of doing business. Remember, people? He worked hard at getting a bunch of Christian Coalition supporters to vote against the opening a gambling casino on the false basis that he was fighting the scourge of gambling. The facts showed that the Native American supporters to open the casino would have competed for the gambling business of clients of Mr. Abramoff.
By Antineocon
February 18, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
Sheryl, try reading Bob Barr’s column today. He addresses the very issue you pose: who’s made us more unsafe with the expiration of FISA? Mr. Barr’s not exactly a left-wing bomb thrower, and he seems to believe (and can argue intelligently) why the government presently has the power (and has had it all along) to do what you think the Democrats have given away. Indeed, Barr’s more politically conservative than the pro-illegal immigration President of ours. In fact, do you know who’s made us more unsafe in this world today? That same idiot of a President. And you’re too innocent or stuopid to see that your freedoms and the right you have to be protected from a government that won’t hesistate a minute to invade your privacy even when you’re doing nothing to have your privacy invaded. Thsy can do it just because a lot of Americans like you will permit them to do so. You’re fools!
By Wackolibhack
February 18, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this
It is Bush’s fault that Antineocon hates all conservatives barring Bob Barr. I hate Bush and all conservatives, just like Antineocon.
By WatchDawg
February 18, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this
THE NUMBERS DO NOT LIE!
Say what you want about Ralph Reed, but he is actually quite skilled at crunching numbers that matter. McCain has flipped off the Conservative Christians in the Deep South like he can make it with out them. Good Luck! I beg to differ. No Republican moderate has ever been elected to the White House. McCain has spent to many nights in bed with the liberals. McCain will loose without the CONSERVATIVE VOTE… you can be sure of it.
By Craig also
February 18, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
Oh come on Watchdawg. McCain has “flipped off the Conservative Christians”? All he did was call Pat Robertson an “agent of intolerance.” And of course he is.
Pat also - in Biblical times - would have been stoned to death for being a false prophet. Remember earlier last year that he predicted another horrible terrorist attack in the US before the end of 2007? The ancient Jews were commanded to kill prophets who made errors, since God doesn’t make mistakes.
By Churchill
February 18, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this
Dawg I’m with ya, but Ford and 41 were both “moderate” in my opinion. McCain is a moderate/”maverick”/lib-republican whatever, not my first choice. But I’ll take him over her any day. I am voting next Nov. with my eye down the ballot.
ANYBODY BUT HILLARY!!
By WatchDawg
February 18, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
HUCKABEE 2008!
By WatchDawg
February 18, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
Craig - It amazes me that people see Pat Robertson as a “Conservative Christian” when he endorsed RUDY. Look at how Huckabee is connecting to the REAL Conservatives. That should not be a stretch.
By Churchill
February 18, 2008 11:38 PM | Link to this
By the way, Huckabee is not a conservative. Why such a push to redefine conservatism? Bottom line is both candidates left in our primary are flawed. But not as flawed as those on the left. Viva McCain, I guess!! (Some illegal immigrant lingo there for fun)
By Will Jones
February 19, 2008 7:12 AM | Link to this
41 killed JFK with Nixon giving us 43 for 9-11 and we know who ever killed Kennedy killed King. False prophets and false ministers support the Roman Anti-Christ’s mobbed-up fronts whether Ghouliani, McCain or Hillary, leaving only a respectable man of color proving America’s not a rigged deck…that The Dream, and the Mottoes, live. May G-d bless America again and protect Obama.