February 14, 2008
Posted: February 14th, 2008 03:15 PM ET
Things are starting to fall into place for John McCain
Things are starting to fall into place for John McCain

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Things are beginning to fall into place very nicely for John McCain. With Mitt Romney’s endorsement, his campaign is clearly moving toward the next phase. He has already lined up most of the Senate and House Republican leaders. They gathered with him this week to praise his campaign and to swipe away at the two remaining Democratic candidates. The Republican governors and big city mayors will be next.

Mike Huckabee continues his uphill struggle, but the fact that he is taking some time off to fly to the Cayman Islands this weekend to deliver a paid speech speaks volumes. The former Arkansas governor certainly deserves a lot of credit for what he has achieved – with limited staff and money. He started off with virtually no national name recognition. He came pretty close but not close enough. The stars are aligning for the Arizona senator.

McCain still has an enormous challenge in getting the conservative base on board. He is making progress now that almost everyone assumes he has the nomination wrapped up. But there are still many lingering doubts about his record on campaign finance reform, comprehensive immigration reform, global warming, tax cuts, and other issues. But he has started the process of party unification. His strong stance on national security will help.

His life will be made easier in the coming weeks by the fact that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will be fighting it out for delegates. In the process, he can afford to take the high road – at least for now.

Programming note: Watch Larry King’s exclusive interview with GOP front-runner John McCain tonight on Larry King Live at 9 P.M. Eastern.

–CNN Anchor Wolf Blitzer

Filed under: Wolf Blitzer


Joe   February 14th, 2008 7:40 pm ET

"Hillary complaint about ties of Obama to Exelon"

Now it turns out that Mr. Penn’s company, Burson Marsteller, has also been an Exelon consultant. An Exelon spokesman confirmed a report today on the Huffington Post that Mr. Penn’s firm was recently paid $230,000 for public relations work last year in New Jersey, where Exelon was seeking to renew a license for one of its nuclear plants.

Mr. Penn’s memo also left out another inconvenient fact, one that had been mentioned in The Times story: Mrs. Clinton was a co-sponsor of Mr. Obama’s radioactive-leaks bill.

They sure are!   February 14th, 2008 7:36 pm ET

As the Democrats eat themselves alive McCain's party rallies around him. I

Joan from Kansas   February 14th, 2008 6:57 pm ET

I usually really like Wolf but today I switched channels because it was so obvious that all the pundits were pushing Obama and discounting Clinton. The bias was very obvious. Please be more fair!

James CA   February 14th, 2008 6:57 pm ET

Countries run by the military are destined to failure. Look at Burma, North Korea, Libya, Pakistan, Nazi Germany... Are there honnestly any countries under military rule that have been successful? You can't get any closer to military rule than John McCain, this guy has a very personal relationship with the type of people who if given the chance destroy freedom of speech and kill millions.

Georgette Becker, Imperial Beach, CA   February 14th, 2008 6:55 pm ET

Wolf, you are a wise sage! NOT!

shelly   February 14th, 2008 6:49 pm ET

I am very dissatisfied with CNN. The only thing you seem to report on is the negativity of Hillary's campaign. You are supposed to report the news, without bias. In the last debate, I seen what Blitzer tried to do, asking Hillary if she was naive. I CHALLENGE CNN to ask the tough questions of both in the next debate. Regardless of who is winning, Americans deserve to know. Ask Obama about is true record on the war, how he compared himself to Bush, how he also takes money from interests groups although he claims not to, ect. Why not report the news and report why Tom Daschle is supporting Obama. You realize its not because he is so inspirational, but really because Daschle is a consultant for the law firm who gives money to Washington and Obama. How about the energy bill? Name one thing hes done in Congress. Ask him about foreign policy? I could express the same concerns with Hillary, but we know you will ask her the tough questions. The difference is she, knows the answers, where as his answer is "We have to change the tone in Washington". Why don't you expose the truth? Afraid? Might not get paid if you do? REPORT THE NEWS, DON'T INFLUENCE IT.

Ricardo Hernandez   February 14th, 2008 6:49 pm ET

I support John McCain and I agree with his veiws on having an open border with Mexico and Canada. the peace and prosperity partnership can unite Mexico, Canada and the U.S. into a large country like the European Union. President Bush also supports these things and I believe them to good for all countries involved. The North American Union will be the land we can call home.

Bubba   February 14th, 2008 6:38 pm ET

Mary,
Do you have a remote?

Phyllis/ PA   February 14th, 2008 6:38 pm ET

Prior to this primary I never read a blog. I started because I hoped that I would become better informed. Unfortunately, far too many consists of nothing more than nasty statements. At first I thought these were written by people who had nothing better to do. Well, I maybe slow but I finally learned? Many are paid bloggers! ! ! !

I am an independent. At present, I think that I have decided my vote but who knows what might change my mind between now and election time.

In the mean time, I hope that McCain can successfully compete with Obama who can mesmerize people with his oratory talent. (Also, I have learned things about senator Obama that has convinced me that Obama must not become president.)

Ian   February 14th, 2008 6:26 pm ET

I can't wait for the color coded terror alert system to come back into play. Every time I go to the airport the intercom comes on to say that the level has been raised to orange. I think someone forget to inform them that it's a political tool, not a warning system.

al   February 14th, 2008 6:10 pm ET

MIT ROAMS TOO MUCH

Mary   February 14th, 2008 6:05 pm ET

The republicans have no other choice, now do they??? It's sickening what choices they make for the good of their party!

Terry   February 14th, 2008 6:03 pm ET

billary the queen of earmark send to 400 million to NY only this years to get win,i dont know if chealse can talk...

Steve   February 14th, 2008 5:54 pm ET

He sure will not get my vote because of his anti Mormon lies and I doubt he get any of the Mormon vote for same reason. He will also loss a lot of the conservative vote and the election if he does not get disqualified due to not being a natural born citizen which is a battle he is still going to have to fight.

Jen   February 14th, 2008 5:53 pm ET

I was sad to see Romney bow out, but at least he is willing to admit defeat. My only hope is that he and McCain will mend fences and Romney will be chosen as VP to McCain. Not a big McCain supporter, but cannot throw my support to Huckabee who is a bigot.

Joyce   February 14th, 2008 5:53 pm ET

Republicans are coming to terms with unity. Leave it to the dems to squander a great oppurtunity to take back the White House.

Great strategy for the Republicans to back Obama, the man stands no chance against McCain.

cici   February 14th, 2008 5:50 pm ET

You guys on CNN are so conservative you'r about ready to overtake Fox news. There is no where to go for balanced reporting. Blitzer (and we all know why ) is so anti Clinton it reeks. Remember his cheap shot at her about being naive in regard to Bush? Your' right wing bossess are scared spitless that we might have a real change and they would lose all their goodies that they have sent out the dogs to undermine Democrats as best they can.

Cindy   February 14th, 2008 5:48 pm ET

I'm a republican and very conservative, but probably would have voted for McCain BEFORE the Romney endorsement. Romney was way more liberal as governor, and his endorsement brings McCain too far to the left for me. I would now probably vote independent or for Hillary.

tomdavie   February 14th, 2008 5:39 pm ET

Clinton supporters for Mc Cain!!!

We will never let the media pick the president.

Here is to california going to Mc Cain in november !!!

Mark   February 14th, 2008 5:37 pm ET

Hmmmm…

I'm not sure what to think of ROMNEY endorsing McLIBERALCain…

I trust Romney enough though (come on…he's a squeeky clean Mormon) that I MIGHT vote for McCain IF ROMNEY was the VP or something…you know, getting ready for the BIG race in 2012 or 2016 (if McLiberal wants 2 terms)…

I'm going to have to THINK ABOUT THIS ONE…

Joe   February 14th, 2008 5:31 pm ET

My question to Hillary Supporters!

Hillary talks about her 35 years experience but she can't even run her campaign! She raised $140 million and with out of control spending she have to loan her campaign $5 million. IF SHE CAN"T EVEN RUN HER CAMPAIGN HOW IS SHE GONNA RUN THE COUNTRY!

Also John Mccain has to get a loan to run his campaign after a disastrous start.

These two talk about experience but can't even run their own campaign.

Brandon   February 14th, 2008 5:28 pm ET

What would the primaries be like if Romney would have had the McCain way of paying for his camp. Do you think everything would have played out the way they are now? Him swallowing his pride and joining his rival

Brandon St. Louis, MO

ben   February 14th, 2008 5:27 pm ET

Big deal!

nita   February 14th, 2008 5:22 pm ET

i was surprised to see that you wrote a fairly decent article about john mccain. without any negative undertones. i might read and listen to you some more. if you keep saying things that sound fairly thought out. and simply stated. :) i used to listen to you all the time. i have two words to say about huch a bee, the words are ross perot.

Doria   February 14th, 2008 5:16 pm ET

I was very glad to see Gov Romney on CNN live this afternoon. Being a Texan, I was planning to vote for Mitt Romney in the primary. I'm still very much a Romney supporter. I have respect and belief in Gov. Rom ey, so I will probably vote for Mr. McCain. Feb.19 is the beginning of early primary voting here in Texas, so next Tuesday, I will remember Mitt Romney's speech throwing his support for McCain. Romney still has alot of followers, so this will help unite the Republican and start to mend some fences, at least on my part with the Repiblican party.
Go Mitt Romney in 2012!!

Karen Rhodes   February 14th, 2008 5:07 pm ET

Is it too much to ask for the partisan commentators – especially that tragic little screeching blonde just on opposite Donna Brazile – to take note of the correct name of the party of FDR and JFK, at least while they get free air time to attack it? We are the Democratic Party, not the "Democrat" party. Are they the "Republic" party? Didn't think so. I understand that Republicans decided as one a few years back to demonize us and that means taking away our name, lest it seem too, well, democratic, for their top down elitist view of how America ought to be. I'm just an old latte liberal, but I hope one day to live in a country where my party's name can be spoken as written, at least on television.

Laurinda   February 14th, 2008 5:07 pm ET

With Romney endorsing McCain I hope this is not going to mean that Romney will be a candidate for vice president. If that happens are country will be going down hill faster. The blind leading the blind.

the voice of Truth   February 14th, 2008 5:05 pm ET

Romney is now supporting a man of whom he has been exceedingly critical. McCain needs to point out what a flip-flopper he is.

America?   February 14th, 2008 4:57 pm ET

At some point the GOP will begin to realize that their worst enemy isn't Obama or Hillary or even Huckabee, but themselves.

Frank   February 14th, 2008 4:48 pm ET

All of that might be true, if there was anyone paying any attention to John McCain. He stands a snowball's chance in Phoenix of winning the presidency with a platform consisting of "don't know much about the economy" and "a hundred years in Iraq would be fine with me."

josh r.   February 14th, 2008 4:44 pm ET

smooth now, but McCain getting so much fewer votes in the primaries than either hillary or barack its very clear to see that he has an everest climb coming up in the general elections. I can see through raw numbers that Obama is going to cream him in the general elections simply based on the huge number of voters he is bringing in compared to McCain.

Phyllis   February 14th, 2008 4:40 pm ET

In listening to Romney endorse McCain, I am so tired of hearing the Republicans inject fear into the American people every time they speak in order to get a vote. If our political leaders on both sides of the isle truly love this country, why don't they speak more about working together.

jim Scottsdale AZ   February 14th, 2008 4:40 pm ET

Wolf I don't know about the stars, but I am a Republican and not voting for McCain. The whole point is we should have never been in Iraq and Bush should have been impeached.

I have a question for Senator McCain How much does it cost to occupy Iraq for a 100 years?? when we invaded the Country for false reasons.

Where is Osma? John we gave you and George 3 trillion dollars where is Osma? Public enemy #1 and this administration led by War Mongers could not find Osma, so they failed with their #1 objective.

John let's talk about the economy we are 60 trillion in debt including social security and medicare.

The war was going to be paid for by Iraqi oil?? John what happend there?

John why is the dollar dropping like a stone?? Why are you bailing the crooks of Wall Street? why don't you put them in jail??

What is going to happen to the 74,000 hourly workers from GM?? why is Detroit a ghost town and what happened to the Economy and the auto Industry??

Wolf if someone would ask the guy a hard question he would fold but the media asks these candidates stupid questions and when they babble and say nothing you let them off the hook.

Wolf I dare you to hold his feet to the fire on a real question. Senator McCain has no idea how the economy works. he has never had a job and has always been taken care of.

Bill Jay   February 14th, 2008 4:39 pm ET

Wolf man.......you are better then most of the other jerks you work with.
You are a cool dude, and report the facts, I like that in you.

Donna Burton   February 14th, 2008 4:39 pm ET

McCain this star in TEXAS is never going to align behind you. I'm not here to serve you, you are here to serve us – the people. Remember these great words??? "It is not me who has left the party, but rather the "party" has left me." My vote is for the real full-blooded Republican, Mike Huckabee who can bring real change to our country (Fair Tax, Secure Borders & Open Book policy.) In November, I will write in Mike Huckabee on the ballot too.

Praetorian, Fort Myers, FL   February 14th, 2008 4:32 pm ET

No kidding!!

He's got no problem.
The agenda's of both Clinton and Obama read like a Socialist party manifesto!!

No place in their agenda's for valued American ideals like: personal responsibility, free enterprise, sacrifice, and self-service....

Man, I never thought I'd see the day when two people, with such un-american ideas–could rise to such popularity!!

Rod Venger   February 14th, 2008 4:32 pm ET

Mitt Romney did every primary voter whose states have not yet voted a huge disservice. He's singlehandedly made their votes totally irrelevant. He should have allowed the voters to decide the race instead of handing McCain his delegates. Way to go, Mitt. -USAPatriot

Mary   February 14th, 2008 4:29 pm ET

Wolf, I watch your program every day. I am so sick and fed up with Jack Cafferty slamming Hillary Clinton everyday, three times a day. Thats is the only subject he ever talks about. I dont know what she has ever done to him but I am really fed up. Is there something you can do abaout it or is he so powerful he can say whatever he wants, even on your show?
If I tune in once more and he's tearing her down AGAIN, I will turn the channel. I do have choices, you know!
I am one of herbig fans and I resent people who have a platform and mike to abuse it.
Thanks so much.

Gary   February 14th, 2008 4:23 pm ET

Its good that McCain is getting the nomination quickly. It will give him more time to strengthen his platform and of course that lucrative conservative base.

Go John Go!

Rex Savage   February 14th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

Stars are aligning for McCain? Hey, that's Mitt Romney you're talking about, not somebody who counts.

But who cares, anyhow, what the republicans do? Now the walk-out of Congress, that's another story altogether. I think the "striking" republicans are not going nearly far enough in their feeble protests. I think they ALL should resign immediately in protest. All of them. Now. Now THAT would be a protest we could all love and enjoy!

Darth Vadik, CA   February 14th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

Yes Wolf stars are aligning.

What a bunch of crap, the only reason McCain is winning is by default.
He is the least worst candidate among the ranks of the vile Republican side.

AP, NY   February 14th, 2008 4:16 pm ET

I wish the Democratic Party would do the same. After Hillary and Obama are thru fighting for the nomination, McCain would be on his way to the White House.

All the bickering between Hill And Obama supporters is self destructive!! Neither will win the general elections...

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