John McCain will be speaking today at the annual Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) gathering in order to try and gain some respect with conservative voters. McCain has snubbed CPAC for years; now he wants to grovel for votes. CPAC attendees have been instructed not to boo McCain.
I agree with CPAC's decision. Let the man speak, applaud as you wish, then let it go.
I'm no fan of McCain, but I believe that booing a speaker you don't agree with knocks conservatives down to level of, well, liberals. If attendees boo, then that will be the news story and the press will remind people with glee for weeks about how intolerant conservatives are. Never mind the history of liberals booing speakers, the military, people carrying the flag, etc. -- the mainstream media always looks for excuses to bash conservatives. Let's not give them the chance.
McCain may be popular with Democrats and so-called Independents, but he can't win without the conservative nor can he be a successful leader if he continually antagonizes the base. President Bush has ignored the base on immigration and spending to his detriment -- maybe McCain can learn a lesson or two.
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