In an attempt to get more support from the conservative bloc of the GOP, presumed Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain of Arizona had brought up the issue of nominating judges to the federal bench. In an attempt to get more conservatives on McCain’s side, he said that he will nominate more conservative judges. In his speech, McCain said that it will be up to the next president to nominate hundreds of men and women to the federal courts.
In that regard, McCain used this opportunity to rally support against Democratic frontrunners Senator Barack Obama of Illinois and Senator Hillary Clinton of New York. Obama and Clinton are still fighting it out for the Democratic nomination. Today, they are having primaries in North Carolina and in Indiana. McCain said that he and the two Democratic frontrunners have contrasting ideas on what powers federal judges should be able to hold and exercise.
Still, McCain has had many problems trying to get the conservative voting bloc, which is the key voting bloc of the GOP. Because of McCain’s involvement in the “gang of 14” of the US Senate back in 2006, the conservatives still have their suspicions towards him. Even if McCain pledges to nominate more conservative judges, will it help him get the conservative vote?
McCain even blasted Obama for not voting to confirm Samuel Alito, who is now a Supreme Court Justice. He even used the elitism term to attack Obama on that factor as well.
Still, McCain has to deal with a balancing act. Yesterday, McCain had tried to appeal to the Latino community. This was a balancing act on immigration and border security. According to GOP strategists, McCain needs to be in good standing with the Latino community if he wishes to win in November.
To commemorate Cinco de Mayo, McCain even launched a Spanish-language website. So far, McCain’s stance towards immigration has not put him in good standing with the conservatives of the Republican Party.
While McCain appeals to one voting bloc, he risks losing another voting bloc. This proves to be a difficult balancing act for McCain. The GOP strategists have said that McCain needs to be in good standing with the Latinos. At the same time, McCain said that he needs the conservatives to get behind him.
A recent CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll revealed that immigration was not on the priority of most Americans. The number one issue was the US economy. Iraq came at a very distant second.
Iraq has been the main platform for McCain’s candidacy. He said that it will make or break his candidacy. But, this balancing act could net some valuable ammunition for his opponents.