[Peter Suderman]
Not surprisingly, I'm not exactly a fan of James Dobson, and though I think there are sound reasons to criticize McCain, I'm not terribly impressed by Dobson's latest cranky outburst. I think evangelicals can and should be a force for good within right of center politics, but I don't think James Dobson is much of a force for good within either evangelicalism or politics. I do think, however, that Dobson's continued McCain bashing somewhat complicates things for Rick Perlstein, who just published a sharp piece in the Nation on the conservative movement's complex relationship with the current GOP nominee. On one hand, it suggests that the about face of opinion regarding McCain Perlstein writes about amongst conservative leaders is not at all universal. On the other hand, it underlines his point that many prominent conservatives may be somewhat out of touch with the conservative rank and file, the majority of whom don't seem to share Dobson's animosity toward McCain.
In general, I think that, despite painting with too broad a brush, Perlstein gets the conservative movement's relationship to McCain basically right. A lot of conservative leaders didn't think he was the best candidate, and said so before he won. But now that he is the candidate, most conservatives have decided, quite reasonably, that backing him is the best option available. I would take issue with Perlstein's contention, though, that McCain proved the leaders of the conservative movement unnecessary, that, as Perlstein says, he "called their bluffs." Yes, McCain won without a huge amount of backing from the right's opinion elite. But, as Ross has pointed out, a lot of that had less to do with tactical or political skill than it did with a significant amount of luck.
You sent me down to my car to find the article the 'Mr. Conservative' piece by Jonathan Rauch appearing in the May 2008 edition of The Atlantic. It usefully lauds and reviews the ideas of 'the father of modern conservatism' Edmund Burke, 'who McCain quoted twice at APAC.' 'Burke believed in balancing individual rights with social and institutional traditions and the evoloved collective wisdom they embody' and is not 'the radical change advocate' as say, Gingrich, or Huckabee in his positions. Well, I'll go along; it's a good article. Buy the May issue of The Atlantic. It's worth considering.
McCain won the Republican nomination. The rank and file obviously didn't see eye to eye with the "conservative leadership."
We were tired of the corruption in congress and the focus on social issues that don't really matter to governance like Terri Schiavo and ignoring real problems like the rising debt and social security reform. McCain seemed like the best candidate to get the focus back on serious issues.
He also stood up against scapegoat politics that draw the support of right wing radio shows, but would screw the GOP demographically for dozens of years to come like the Tancredo branch of the party is trying to do.
That's my take anyway.