McCain Impresses
Irish Group

MEMBERS of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR) who met with Senator John McCain during his presentation to immigration groups in New York on Monday came away very impressed with his grasp on both immigration and Irish issues.

If there is a more impressive politician in America he or she has yet to raise their heads. Indeed, the Arizona senator, once considered the maverick of his party, the GOP, now seems more and more likely to be the front runner for their presidential nomination in 2008.

It is easy to see why. Republicans are ultimately more pragmatic than the Democrats and will want to pick a winner above all. That is why they went for George W. Bush in 2000 over McCain, who they considered unreliable.

Times have changed, however, and looking at the 2008 field it is obvious that McCain so far outshines other candidates on the GOP side.

That is why you are suddenly seeing many key Bush operatives begin to talk up McCain and, indeed, release several of their major fundraisers to the McCain campaign in order to build up his war chest.

Above all, the Republicans wish to hang on to power after a period of total omination, and if the party elders decide that McCain is the man who can achieve that they will have no hesitation in plumping for him.

The latest opinion poll shows that Condoleezza Rice and Rudy Giuliani are equal with McCain as the preferred choices for president, when voters consider the Republican ticket.

There are very good reasons, however, for assuming that neither person will be in the final shakeup. Republicans are not ready for a black woman candidate, and Giuliani’s support of abortion rights and gay rights will damage him severely.

That seems to leave the door wide open for McCain, who is certainly up and unning even at this early stage. Those who heard him on Monday night certainly have no doubt that he is in full campaign mode.