So Much for a Warm Welcome

 

Email To A Friend

Please fill in the following information and we'll email this link.

Separate multiple addresses with commas

SPONSORED BY
 

Even most of McCain's worst critics believe things will calm down. "Samuel Johnson once said that the prospect of hanging concentrates the mind wonderfully," says Hugh Hewitt. "Hillary and Obama are right over the hill; this might not just be a loss in 2008 but an exile for 16 years." Others, like National Review bloggers calling themselves Reaganauts for McCain, call for some perspective, reminding readers that right-wingers have long felt betrayed by the presidents they elect. "The Old GOP Establishment said terrible things, untrue things, about Ronald Reagan," the blog said. "Some in this new Establishment are also saying terrible and untrue things about another maverick conservative, John McCain."

Richard Land says the GOP will, in the end, do what it does best: unite. "I find it hard to believe that there are many conservatives who, when push comes to shove and they contemplate what it would be to have Hillary Clinton with the added pain of Bubba back in the White House, or Obama, that they won't eventually rally behind whoever the Republican nominee is as long as they are pro-life," says Land. "I don't want to minimize the impact of Limbaugh. He has influence. But there is a limit to where anyone can lead conservatives [if it's] where they don't want to be led."

Another conservative politico, Rich Galen, who worked for Thompson until he pulled out, argues that the Democrats are in far more trouble than McCain: "The lines are hardening between Hillary and Obama. It's going to go on for week after week. If you think fissures are bad there now, wait until Obama goes to the floor with more delegates, and the superdelegates come out for Hillary."

The talk-show brigade, however, is keeping itself relevant—and profitable—by continuing its tirade. "Part of this is a herd mentality," says Michael Medved, who claims he's the only talk-show host—liberal or conservative—to endorse McCain. "There are a bunch of talk-show hosts who wait to see what position Rush will take. They are the Mini-Me's to Rush's Dr. Evil." Medved and others suspect the right-wing rants are mainly a ratings grab. "The irony is that Limbaugh, by attacking McCain and having him win anyway, may end up with a larger audience because people that don't like McCain will rally around him," says Michael Harrison, editor and publisher of Talkers magazine, the main trade journal for the talk-show industry. "The person who takes the unpopular view in radio often gets the biggest audience because so many other people are competing for the popular view. Limbaugh is the smartest man on the air. He is a brilliant broadcaster and a great talent … Hillary would be better for conservative hosts than McCain. They are all salivating over the hope that Hillary will get elected." If the conservative leaders keep at it, they just might make their hopes come true.

With Pat Wingert, Suzanne Smalley, Daniel Stone, Martha Brant and Matthew Philips

© 2008

Label

Newsweek Top Stories
Al Gore's Climate-Change Evolution
Al Gore's Climate-Change Evolution

Using emotion to convince people to change.

Heaven Can Wait
Heaven Can Wait

A new book promises proof of eternal life.

The World's Biggest Foods
The World's Biggest Foods

Monster edibles from around America.

Discuss

Sponsored by

Member Comments

  • Posted By: vertexia @ 09/09/2008 5:52:52 AM

    John McCain is bringing World War lll. IF that is what you want vote for John McCain and we will lose all happiness ever known or could be dreamed about from a nation this size. Russia War Ships are setting in the Caribbean because McCain and president Bush wants to protect a concave of Jews who can't get along with any one and has attach to America to run the world. Stop John McCain he is a Jew and Palin to. I have nohing against Jews accept they are organize and hate everthing and not mentally ready to run American.

  • Posted By: Cain7000 @ 08/27/2008 11:28:30 AM

    John McCain is the one hope for America. Terrorism, Communism, and Socialism are rising up throughout America and even here within her borders. No, it's not time for on-the-job training. It's not time for liberalism at it's most extreme. It is not time for breaking new ground for the sake of breaking new ground and experimenting with change. We are not going to be a house built upon the sand, hoping that the waters stay calm.. The waters are about to rise up and rage out of control. We need a president who will be solid, grounded, face all fear with more determination than ever and protect all Americans within our borders. That man is John McCain. Who he picks as VP should believe in God, believe in morals and values that made America strong, and most of all, understands the struggles and structure of being a member of the U.S. military. That man can be none other than his closest friend, Sen. Lindsey Graham of SC.

  • Posted By: dking312 @ 07/13/2008 10:41:16 PM

    Mccain 2000 isn't ultra conservative. Mccain 2008 is a mere puppet for the people who don't give a crap about you if you aren't in their agenda.

    Mccain has been called lame.
    I think it's just his game.
    He wants to win off POW fame.
    But since 2000, he just ain't the same.

    This idiot couldn't even beat Bush, the dumbest republican I've ever seen in my LIFE!
    But, in Mccain's favor, he will be vetoing all beers if he's elected.

Reply

Report Abuse

Enter comments if any for reporting abuse

My Take

Customize the NEWSWEEK homepage
to feature your favorite columnists.

Customize Now
 
COVER STORY

John McCain is the presumptive GOP nominee for president. In the face of serious opposition, his campaign is reaching out to movement leaders and trying to make nice.