Half-way There!

Early last night, Arizona Senator John McCain achieved what had been considered nearly inevitable for weeks; securing the Republican Nomination for President. McCain swept yesterday’s 4 primaries in Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Vermont with overwhelming majorities. The sweep propelled McCain to more than the 1,191 delegate total needed to clinch the nomination. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who had committed to remain in the race until a winner was determined, withdrew after receiving the results.

By wrapping up the nomination, McCain causes his party to examine some key questions that have been actively debated among both republican insiders, as well as casual observers. Early in the campaign, several candidates competing with Senator McCain questioned his conservative credentials. Some ideological soul-searching will be required to put concern around this issue to rest.

There are those, especially among the Republican faithful, for whom McCain will fail the conservative litmus test. He has been associated with a number of positions bona fide arch-conservatives characterize as maverick liberal positions. Taxes, guns, and judges all make the list of issues McCain has frequently been on the wrong side of, according to those steeped in traditional conservative dogma.

The question of age is sure to arise, also. If elected, Senator McCain will be 72 by the time of the election, and he will be over 80, by the end of a second term, if he is elected and serves. Previously Ronald Reagan was the oldest man elected President. He was 69 when he defeated Jimmy Carter in 1980.

The reality of the political process is the perfect candidate is a rare find indeed. To wit, for the most part, party regulars will find a way(s) to assuage their discontent, and will subsequently gird themselves for the battle ahead. After the National Conventions, when the one-on-one battles ensue, the real contest begins. At that point, republicans of all stripes will put aside their differences and close ranks to take on their one true foe; whoever happens to be the Democratic Nominee.

In related developments, on the democratic side, New York Senator Hillary Clinton may have averted total disaster by not only ending a long losing streak, winning in Rhode Island, but by also taking the populous States of Ohio, and Texas. Meanwhile, Senator Barack Obama is projected to have won in Vermont, and still maintains a lead in total delegates. At this rate, earlier projections that the Democratic race will go on for quite some time appear solidly on target.

OK, I’m done. Holla back!

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCain

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/04/us/politics/05repubs.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23472461/

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/livecoverage/2008/03/mccain_looks_to_wrap_things_up.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/04/politics/main3902987.shtml

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/04/march.4.contests/index.html

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/03/how-john-sidney.html

http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2008/03/mccain_clinches_nomination_huc.html

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/03/04/obama-mccain-win-vermont-primary/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23473706/

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/04/march.4.contests/index.html