“As Super Tuesday looms - and the possibility that McCain could all but wrap up the nomination - the chattering conservative class is in an uproar. Talk show host Rush Limbaugh has warned that McCain as standard-bearer would destroy the Republican Party. Author and pundit Ann Coulter, in jaw-dropping heresy, said she would campaign for Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton if McCain wins the party nod. Commentators Laura Ingraham, Sean Hannity and Mark Levin have come out in support of McCain's rival, Mitt Romney.”

But are they doing the right thing?

McCain tries to assuage conservatives

I don't know if it's "right" or not, but as you say, turning is what worms do.

The Rabid Republican Right has spent the last several years sowing the wind, so it's entirely appropriate that they should now reap the whirlwind. These tooth-and-claw fights over who is responsible for destroying the Republican Party are healthy. It's not actually being destroyed, just subjected to some "natural selection" to make it better adapted to the new environmental reality. That's how evolution works.

The Republicans have a three ring circus: national defense, cultural, and fiscal issues. The Demorcrats have a two ring circus: feminism and racial. It's just a shame Barney Frank didn't run for president.

In my view Ann Coulter has jumped the shark .She has become a parody of herself.


As critical of McCain as I am I still recognize that he has a higher conservative union rating than Evita does (82.3% compared to 9% and even lower for Obama) .But there is no question that McCain has voted and sponsored legislation in recent years that is less than the conservative ideal.

This is the primary process. Conservatives thought a candidate would emerge closer to their ideal. This has not happened . Their Hail-Mary pass is to support Romney who has in word if not deed made a case that he is an enthusiastic convert . I have not gone that far because Romney has not demonstrated either that he believes what he says ;or that he is electable . Romney's record in the private sector is outstanding.

McCain does not believe what he has said in this campaign either .Nor has his legislative initiatives matched the current rhetoric. I do not think it unfair to point that out. So generally yes I think they are doing the right thing.

The funny thing is that despite their constant attacks on McCain it does not appear to be having much of a difference. Which begs the question ;was their influence over-stated all along ?

I don't think that a McCain candidacy would destroy the Repubican party.Push comes to shove I will swallow the worm but I will need to anesticize myself with the whole bottle of Tequilla first.Bottom line... He would make a far better President that either of the Democrats . And who knows ? President Bush turned out to be a much better President than I thought he would be in 2000.

The Corner on National Review Online=

Excellent analysis Tom; I think once the primaries are over the “Worms” will return to their republican base. Yeah, it makes me wonder if the talk media has as much influence as some believe it has.

I agree, OG, evolution of politics.

George, I agree, it is a circus.

Frankly both Rush L. and McCain pretty much speak from the same book. Oh they disagree on major policies all right ;as I have with both McCain ,and as I have had in the past with President Bush . Nobody is perfect . Not even Ronald Reagan(he did after all appoint Sandra Day OConner to SCOTUS ; gave a blanket amnesty to illegals ,did a tax adjustment that amounted to a tax raise ,made arms for hostage deals with the Mullahs in Iran) .

McCain has sided with conservatives on issues such as spending and the surge, but often against them on other issues such as illegal immigration, taxes, and campaign finance reform.

McCain argues that people may not always agree with him, but he'll always put principle ahead of politics and fight like hell for whatever he believes is best for our country. That is also what Rush has been saying about his opposition to McCain ;that Rush puts principles over expediency ,inevidibility ,or electability .


McCain has not been shy to publicly place himself in opposition to herd mentality . That means that he has had to defend against a number of assaults from the Right . But he has also been the standard bearer on issues like support for the surge. Conservatives should take their cue from him if he becomes the nominee. Agree to support him on issues they agree with like pork barrel spending or pursuing victory against Jihadistan ;and to oppose him by any means on issues they disagree with him;put their principles ahead of party loyalty .

Thanks for adding some clarity as to what is happening Tom. I think it was 1993, 4 and 5 that I was a regular listener to Rush. At the time I thought he offered considerable insight into American Culture and Politics. I don't know if he has changed since then because I was not in a position to listen to him for some time, and then when I was again I just lost interest. So it has been a very long time since I've paid any attention to what he has to say.