Rush Limbaugh vs. John McCain: Who Truly Represents the Conservative Party?

In the 2000 Republican Presidential Campaign, John McCain made a huge name for himself with his big win in the New Hampshire Primary, beating George W. Bush soundly. The reason for his big success? Independents.

Unfortunately, Bush used that against McCain in places like South Carolina and other states that didn't let Independents vote in their primary and tried to paint McCain as too much of a maverick and not in line with the Republican Party. As we all know, Bush won that race and eventually the Presidency. Eight years later, McCain is once again relying on the independent vote to propel him to victory.

An LA Times article explains how McCain was able to get a big victory in states such as New Hampshire because of the ID vote. However, unlike in 2000 when conservatives back-lashed against McCain and voted for Bush, the article points out that this year, he might actually unite the GOP.

However, individuals like radio host Rush Limbaugh are actively campaigning against McCain as not being conservative enough. In fact, according to a New York Sun article, Limbaugh is continuing to say that he will fight against McCain. But is Limbaugh correct in his constant barrage against McCain? Is he really not conservative enough?

When looking at a Presidential race, electability is always a major factor in deciding who to vote for. People don't want to support a candidate who they don't think win an election. This is why you see Ron Paul with little support, even though he is probably the most conservative in the race (at least in terms of the classic little-to-no government conservative). In order to be electable, you have to be able to not only appeal to your base, but to independents and the other party as well. This is what Limbaugh seems to be forgetting when he talks about McCain.

However, in order to be nominated, you have to win your party's support first, and that is what McCain is starting to do now. According to the previous LA Times article, as well as a New York Times article, McCain is starting to gain support from his base. This was proven in Florida, a state that does not allow independents or democrats to vote in the Republican primary race. It has long been argued that McCain can only win if independents and democrats are allowed to vote. As the New York Times and LA Times article points out, he was able to win in Florida despite that fact. According to a Concord Monitor article, McCain beat out two other candidates, one who is considered much more conservative (Mitt Romney) and one more liberal on social issues (Rudy Giuliani) to win an important race giving him momentum into Super Tuesday.

I think this is an important thing to remember: McCain is starting to gain momentum within the Republican base AND he has support from independents and democrats. He has exactly what it takes to win in the general election. This is something that hard-core, self-proclaimed "Regan Republicans" like Rush Limbaugh forget. You can't be too conservative and win, you have to be able to appeal to other groups.

Let's examine how Florida played out to be more specific. According to an Associated Press article, Romney was picked by about 40% of those who identified themselves as "Conservative" and almost 50% of those who said they were "very Conservative." The article points out that Republican's who identified themselves as "Conservative" voted for McCain about 25% of the time. So, in terms of pure conservatism, Romney would win. However, as the article reports, those Republicans who identified themselves as either moderate or liberal voted for McCain twice as ofter than for Romney.

This proves the point, that Romney, while able to get conservatives to vote for him, doesn't have the appeal to the more moderate and liberals portion of the population that is required to win.

While I understand Limbaugh's concern that he is not "Conservative" enough, I think he and other conservatives need to take a look at the bigger picture. You need someone who won't be labeled as someone who is under the conservatives thumb. President Bush is perceived that way, and his popularity right now is in the 30's. That is not something you want to associate yourself with. If you are a Republican, just ask yourself this questions: "Would I rather have McCain, who at times will annoy me, but for the most part I agree with or would I rather have Hillary Clinton as President, the bane of our existence?" If you are a conservative, I think the answer is clear.

Peter Wallsten, "The GOP could have its unifier"; LA Times

Josh Gerstein, "Limbaugh: "The Base Has Fractured""; New York Sun

John Broder, "McCain, Long a G.O.P. Maverick, is Gaining Mainstream Support"; New York Times

Michael Shear & Juliet Eilperin, "McCain wins close match with Romney"; Concord Monitor

Alan Fram, "Romney, McCain split wings of GOP in Florida"; Associated Press