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Just hours after the mere mention of his name drew boos at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) stood before the group as the presumptive presidential nominee of the GOP.
Shortly after his chief rival Mitt Romney withdrew from the race, McCain addressed the group in an attempt to make amends and shore up support from a group that considers him untrustworthy.
With the former Massachusetts governor out, McCain is considered to be the nominee, and his address was part apology and part acceptance speech.
McCain skipped the convention last year, and his absence was widely noticed as he was booed every time his name came up. When he came before the crowd Thursday, flanked by conservative Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and former Sen. George Allen (R-Va.), they appeared ready to listen.
Despite a smattering of boos, which were more audible when the senator mentioned his support for comprehensive immigration reform, McCain was greeted warmly as he defended his conservative credentials and sought to make peace.
“Surely, I have held other positions that have not met with widespread agreement from conservatives,” McCain said. “I won’t pretend otherwise, nor would you permit me to forget it.”
With Romney out, Mike Huckabee is the only major candidate left to challenge McCain for the nomination. Huckabee aides said Thursday afternoon that the former Arkansas governor remains committed to the race, but he and McCain have never engaged in the kind of acrimony seen between McCain and Romney.
McCain has long had a dysfunctional relationship with the conservative wing of his party, but by Thursday afternoon, there were already signs that he was winning them over.
Two of McCain’s Senate GOP colleagues, who would hardly be called fans, offered their support. Sen. John Cornyn (Texas) endorsed McCain shortly after his CPAC address, and Sen. Thad Cochran (Miss.), on his way to a meeting with Romney, said he would support McCain once he is the nominee.
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