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McCain Right to Worry About Romney
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02/14/07 03:06 PM ET
While Mitt Romney, this week's New Kid on the candidate block, may be scraping bottom in polls of Republicans, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) seems to take him as a serious threat. He couldn't wait even one day after Romney's entrance into the race to brag of Romney defections to his campaign.
McCain should probably spend some time trying to blunt the Rudy factor, as Giuliani consistently scores the same or better with likely GOP voters as the Original Tough Guy himself. But he is wise to watch his back; Mitt. Romney has worked harder than Rudy to chase McCain's shadow wherever it goes — the evangelical community, the House Repubican Conference, the Pioneers and Rangers. McCain has been at it
diligently for two years, but Romney's ability to make a dent tells just how rough the terrain is for the man formerly known as the Republican Frontrunner.
Romney has more endorsements among Republican members of Congress, a result of the fact that he started holding weekly dinners for House GOP members last summer. When he was revealed as a flip-flopper Romney had laid the groundwork and romanced enough people that they heard him out, and most of them bought what he was selling. McCain, who works across the hall and who is largely disliked in the
House, just hadn't put in the time.
Now Romney is pushing hard with leaders of the Christian Right, and some key players say they believe his recent conversion on abortion and gay rights as well. If the establishment starts trying on flip-flops, McCain — the only true conservative choice in the race —should be scared.
McCain should probably spend some time trying to blunt the Rudy factor, as Giuliani consistently scores the same or better with likely GOP voters as the Original Tough Guy himself. But he is wise to watch his back; Mitt. Romney has worked harder than Rudy to chase McCain's shadow wherever it goes — the evangelical community, the House Repubican Conference, the Pioneers and Rangers. McCain has been at it
diligently for two years, but Romney's ability to make a dent tells just how rough the terrain is for the man formerly known as the Republican Frontrunner.
Romney has more endorsements among Republican members of Congress, a result of the fact that he started holding weekly dinners for House GOP members last summer. When he was revealed as a flip-flopper Romney had laid the groundwork and romanced enough people that they heard him out, and most of them bought what he was selling. McCain, who works across the hall and who is largely disliked in the
House, just hadn't put in the time.
Now Romney is pushing hard with leaders of the Christian Right, and some key players say they believe his recent conversion on abortion and gay rights as well. If the establishment starts trying on flip-flops, McCain — the only true conservative choice in the race —should be scared.
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