Ebb And Flow AT CPAC

Yesterday, Mitt Romney washed out at CPAC and John McCain rushed in. Some links and comments.

Ed at CQ is being overly generous to McCain in my view. I was in the hall listening, my impression was that McCain did little more than state the facts. As expected, the reception was lukewarm, though I understand the McCain plants did their job for the recorded version. And a man who listened to hours of debate from conservatives in Senate Chambers and proceeded to curse them out is now suddenly promising to take their counsel? Please! Take it and do what is the question, one that McCain can't hope to answer based upon his past behavior.

It seems words suddenly mean more than actions in some circles where the main goal might be propping up McCain and the GOP. That's fine if it's one's thing. But it's part of why Right-side bloggers will never have much clout. Disagree with their positions, but the Netroots movement gained influence by standing their ground and pushing back on the establishment. Touting the Party line will get you respected and visible within the echo chamber. It will never further one's cause, assuming it is genuine conservative leadership.

Yesterday's speech to CPAC gave John McCain an opening to rational consideration of support by conservatives, and it didn't come in the necessary phrases of rapprochement. John McCain made an offer to conservatives for access and influence. Will they take it, or will they walk away and leave McCain to make that offer to other Republicans and centrists?

A round up on Mitt, who I still admire, despite the campaign's faults:

Comments

[Brainster]

Take their council? Where is he going to take them? Counsel is the word you want.

Sorry, my dad was an English major.

And left-side bloggers only have clout because they can deliver the dough-re-mi. They have not been successful in pulling their party to the left no matter how they try. Their preferred candidate was John Edwards, the first real Dem candidate to drop out.

[tally]

listened on the radio and then saw some on tv. i liked both romney's speech and mccain's speech.

[elixelx]

He did not promise to "take their counsel"; he promised to "take counsel" with them. There is a huge difference!

Do you really think McCain is going to do ("take their counsel") what Ann Coulter and Co. want, who but a week ago would have garotted him in a dark alley to help their man?

No! He has promised to listen ("take counsel with them") respectfully, although I seriously doubt they have anything pertinent to add, and certainly bringing Ms. Coulter back on board by giving the VP slot to Mitt is not on the cards!

As usual, Riehl, you've heard only what you want to hear, seen only what you want to see, and disseminated half-truths!