Fred Thompson, the one-time Republican presidential candidate, endorsed Sen. John McCain Friday, calling on the party to "close ranks" behind the presumed nominee.
"This is no longer about past preferences or differences. It is about what is best for our country and for me that means that Republican should close ranks behind John McCain," Thompson said in a statement reported by the Associated Press.
Earlier in the day John Bolton at the CPAC made basically the same case in favor of John McCain:
Bolton said it was now clear that he would be the nominee, and specifically addressed those who argue that conservatives would be better off in the long run if Democrats win and mess things up than if mistakes are associated with a Republican. He compared this logic to Vladimir Lenin's declaration that "worse is better" and said that "tactical domestic considerations" shouldn't be allowed to harm our national security.
Video of Bolton here.
Less than two weeks ago, Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi, endorsed Mitt Romney, saying the thought of John McCain as president "sends a cold chill down my spine", and yet yesterday, after Mitt Romney dropped out and he literally made the case that it was time to get behind one GOP candidate, John McCain, now Cochran says "I am supporting John McCain for the Republican nomination for president."
Yesterday Sen. John Cornyn, also made his statement in support of standing behind McCain:
With many of my colleagues, I have been determined to stay out of the primary contests and allow the members of our party to work their will,” Cornyn said. “I now believe, with a number of the other candidates deciding to step aside, that it is time for the Republican Party to come together and stand behind Senator McCain. I am honored to endorse him for President of the United States today and will do whatever I can to support his candidacy.”
It goes on and on, the GOP realizes that it is time to gather around, circle the wagons and close ranks around John McCain and they are doing so.
The fact is, the GOP and conservatives in general will fight for the candidate of their choice, as they should, but when reality shows that one will take the nomination, they may piss and moan for a little while, but they are able to face that reality and act like adults, in a timely manner as to be able to stage a proper campaign against whoever will be the Democratic nominee.
With the news today that Howard Dean is overly concerned with how close the race between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama is, and Bill Nelson, speaking on the floor of the Senate, warned Friday that it would be a “train wreck” for the party if Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton cannot break their deadlock soon, we see the difference between the Democratic party and the GOP... one understands the need to back one person and fight the opposing party and the other is satisfied to continue fighting each other and doing the GOP's work for them.
Dean and Nelson see where this is going and everyone understands that if the super delegates end up being the deciding factor in the democratic race instead of the will of the democratic supporters.... that will splinter the party like nothing else could.
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