Moderate McCain Losing Support of Conservatives

WorldNetDaily.com is reporting that James Dobson, leader of the conservative group Focus on Family, has said that he will not support John McCain for president "under any circumstances." [link] This development is significant, in that many of the social conservatives McCain will need to convince look to the commentary of prominent conservatives like Dobson. McCain has long been regarded as a maverick moderate who is more than willing to compromise with the liberals in the Senate. The widespread loss of support among conservatives like Dobson may very well be representative of social conservatives overall disdain for moderation, compromise candidates, reformers, and all others who have a propensity to work with the opposition to the detriment of the party and the betrayal of conservative values.

Indeed, after the fall midterm elections, many called for a return to Reagan conservativism. That tactic is a surefire path to victory in 2008, barring any unforeseen circumstances. McCain, along with a whole number of other Republicans in the Senate, is not the politician who can embrace those values and win the upcoming election. His betrayal of the Republican party on McCain-Feingold, the terrorist bill of rights he sponsored (with Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and other Democrats), his plan for $2,000 citizenship for illegal immigrants (sponsored with Ted Kennedy), and his refusal to accept as legitimate the use of the constitutional option in dealing with Democrat filibusters on judicial nominees will leave him alone in the corner come primary time.