• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

McCain Pulling in Political Stars

Posted on: Friday, 1 February 2008, 06:00 CST

By David Jackson

LOS ANGELES -- John McCain picked up the endorsement of actor-turned-governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday and predicted the backing of more political stars are on the way.

"You will see a flood of endorsements across this country from both liberals and conservatives," the Republican front-runner said.

The California governor joins Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and former presidential contender Rudy Giuliani, who dropped out of the race Wednesday, on the list of big-name Republicans to back McCain in recent days. The Arizona senator is trying to take command of the Republican race during the contests being held from California to New York on Tuesday.

Some analysts say endorsements help in individual states but may be more valuable in creating a sense of inevitability. "It just greases the axles of the bandwagon," said John Pitney, a former aide to House Republicans who now teaches at Claremont McKenna College near Los Angeles. "People want to be with a winner."

Mitt Romney, who is chasing McCain for the nomination, played down Schwarzenegger's support. "Their views are similar on a number of subjects," he said.

In addition to lauding his "incredible credentials in national security," Schwarzenegger praised McCain for his efforts to "end wasteful spending."

He also cited McCain's environmental policies during an event at a company that makes solar-paneled roofing. McCain has been a vocal supporter of a plan that would cap greenhouse gas emissions and allow companies to trade emission allowances, known as "cap and trade." The senator wants such a program to be mandatory.

Schwarzenegger also lauded McCain for being able to work with Democrats to get things accomplished. Some conservatives say McCain has been too cozy with Democrats and has adopted their positions on the environment, immigration and other issues.

"He's spent a decade now essentially dissing conservatives," said David Keene, chairman of the American Conservative Union.

McCain said he has support across the spectrum, including independents who will be key in the fall. He noted that he also picked up an endorsement Thursday from conservative Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a former Giuliani backer.

"We need all parts of our party together if we're going to win in November," McCain said. "Our party is beginning to realize that." (c) Copyright 2005 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

Source: USA TODAY

More News in this Category