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House Leaders Endorse McCain
Whatever Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz) told the House GOP Conference at their meeting this morning, it must have been good, because House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) came out after the gathering and endorsed the Arizonan for president, as did House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo) and Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (Fla.).
Boehner had been holding off on an endorsement, nominally because he will be the official chairman of the Republican Convention this summer. With Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) backing him last week, McCain now has the support of all the top GOP leaders in both chambers.
McCain said he was "gratified by the very warm reception" he got from lawmakers at the meeting, and that they'd had a "spirited and good discussion" of the issues. Asked about the high Democratic turnout in last night's primaries compared to the GOP's, he said, "Part of our discussion was clearly that we have to re-energize our base."
Introducing McCain in the private conference meeting, Boehner praised McCain -- who got a standing ovation -- for his commitment to fighting terror, to cutting earmarks, to backing an anti-abortion agenda and to helping campaign for GOP House members in recent elections, according to a source who was present.
National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Cole (Okla.) said there was "probably as good a mood as I've seen" at a Conference meeting during McCain's appearance. He said the topics of discussion ranged from health care to earmarks to immigration, a subject on which many members have differed with the pro-comprehensive reform McCain.
"Senator McCain really addressed that well," Cole said. "He said, 'I've been on the campaign trail and I got the message.'"
As for the overall level of support for the presumptive GOP nominee, Cole said, "There's no question our Conference has moved toward Senator McCain rather than away from him."
By washingtonpost.com Editors |
February 13, 2008; 10:19 AM ET
2008 Campaign
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Posted by: sharon | February 13, 2008 12:18 PM
OK, besides a Ron Paul miracle, it looks like John McCain will be the Republican nominee. So how does he stack up against Barack Obama?
Obama vs. McCain- The Internet Indicators:
http://newsusa.myfeedportal.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=48
Posted by: David | February 13, 2008 12:38 PM
Getting an endorsement by these two idiots is like getting a Valentine's Day card from John Wilkes Booth.
When I think of the minority leaders of the House, I think "cry babies". There is nothing remotely akin to compromise by these two lame ducks.
They waste so much time with frothy emotional appeal, I think they both missed their callings. Bully pulpitism belongs in the Church and not on the sacred House floor.
Posted by: Mark W. | February 13, 2008 2:02 PM
Rep. Roy Blunt, the Republican whip, declared the race over and said McCain would be the best person to help Republicans take back the House.
DECLARED THE RACE OVER?? This is outrageous, disgusting, and yet another case of Washington insiders completely ignoring millions of voters yet unpolled. I beg you, Republicans, let your voice be heard. If you are truly conservative, there is still a choice: Governor Mike Huckabee. There is EVERY possibility of a brokered convention, and we might still be able to save this presidential election...and this country. Mike Huckabee is the ONLY candidate with executive experience, the ONLY candidate with a tough stand on illegal immigration, Second Amendment rights, and many other issues so important to the GOP. I cannot fathom why Blunt made his little announcement, unless he's- of course- looking for a VP slot...
Posted by: bethidee | February 13, 2008 4:26 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Oh for heavens sakes they might start by emerging out of their coma they have been in for many years now yeah then they might can energize their base or at least its a start.The GOP are not even close to knowing how to connect with the average americans.