As everyone’s been saying ad nauseam, there’s been no ideal conservative in the GOP race all along. A more energetic, gung-ho Fred might have changed the score, but there was nothing in his past career to suggest he was up to it. So now conservatives are stuck with someone they loathe on most fronts and aren’t likely ever to warm to. The feeling is no doubt mutual. What a contrast to 2000, when they and Bush reached a happy accommodation in order to win. It’s no accident that marriage ended once Bush was safely re-elected. If victory is a common goal this time, something similar will occur, though without any of the warmth (and illusions) of eight years ago.
Clearly McCain has begun his reach-out, if only in terms of how he’s labeling himself. But it’s not at all clear if conservatives will ever be in any mood to reciprocate. None of this means conservatives are suddenly weaker. For all their strength in numbers, organizations, and other institutional markers, they’re not willing to see a repeat of 2000. And if McCain should win in November, he’ll soon enough be reminded what a dominant faction the right shall remain.
