Victor Davis Hanson at The Corner earlier today: [1]
It seems that Romney, Thompson, and Huckabee supporters might at least consider that there is a chance that McCain will be nominated and these “I’ll sit it out” conservatives should begin thinking of the consequences of Presidents Hillary and Bill. My guess is that McCain could still unify the party, if he (1) offers some informal assurances about illegal immigration and taxes, and does an “inoperative” on McCain-Feingold; (2) has frank discussions with the conservative media such as Limbaugh, Hannity, etc. and takes his medicine without losing his temper; (3) promises a hard conservative as VP. McCain’s conservative ratings, after all, are in the 80s, he is rock solid on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, he wants a balanced budget, and is now against blanket amnesty and “comprehensive” reform – and looks like he is the leader to gain the nomination and simultaneously infuriate base conservatives.
Otherwise, we are about 1/3 the way through a Greek tragedy, in which the fated catastrophic denouement is known, but can’t be prevented.
The issue at hand that you don’t mention, Victor, is, the lack of perceivable difference between a man who could sign on to McCain-Fiengold, the Gang of 13, could take the positions he has as regards illegal immigrants, his signing on to the global warming nonsense, and so on.
In the end, the only thing he’s gotten right is the importance of dealing with Islamic extremists militarily, though even there, he’s dead wrong on the torture issue.
That’s pretty a slim difference, an on the verge of being invisible. In the end, it’s that perception that is driving resistance to McCain.
And as for that trainwreck you speak of, well, yes, I see it too. But ask in 64, perhaps that trainwreck is needful to get the Republican party to get back to it’s conservatism, and stop playing pattycake with such as McCain and Huckabee. As I said previously today, if Huckabee gets nominated, I’m not voting for him, and I’m borderline on that from McCain, and Giuliani, just now as well. Somewhat less so for Romney. That’s not bravado. That’s looking at the situation, and determining the path of least damage to the country.