I keep listening to Senator John McCain talk about how he intends to reach out to conservative Democrats and Independents.  That is fine.  But I'm reminded of that old adage that says "charity begins at home." I believe that McCain first needs to reach out to conservative Republicans before worrying about anyone else. 

I listened to McCain's speech yesterday at the CPAC conference and thought it was a very good speech.  Be that as it may, it was not a huge step forward, but a first step nevertheless.  The economy is understandably the number one issue with Americans.  Having the mainstream media beat the drum of recession 24/7 while ignoring the success of the surge in Iraq doesn't hurt either.  Senator McCain has said that he would push for tax cuts and this is a step in the right direction.  Another step in the right direction would be for Republicans to take back control of Congress from the Democrats.  The mainstream media loves to point out how President Bush's approval rating is at a record-low while failing to mention Congress's even worse approval rating.  However, when did we become so dependent on polls and approval ratings in this country?  I'm sure that if you polled the American people back in 1864 they would have given President Abraham Lincoln low approval numbers, too. 

It takes leadership and courage to take a stand or stands on issues when they are not popular.  President Bush has never waivered in his belief that we can win the war in Iraq.  This, in spite of being mocked, lampooned, disrespected and personally attacked by the mainstream media, far-left blogs and websites and prominent leaders in the Democratic Party.  To his credit, Bush has not governed by poll numbers.  One can only hope that his successor operates in the same way. 

If I had any message to the conservative Republicans, it would be "stick to your guns." And I'm not talking about handguns or rifles either.  I'm talking about standing up for what you believe in and not capitulating when people laugh at you, ridicule your beliefs, or personally attack you.  How many of us have had an idea that we were too afraid of suggesting to someone in fear of being ridiculed or laughed at?  Then, someone else took that same idea, became successful and was heralded as a genius for doing so? 

The mainstream media has started to report that the conservative movement and Reagan Revolution are dead.  Wrong.  It is alive and well and to paraphrase Mark Twain, "rumors of its death have been greatly exaggerated." And without conservatives supporting him, John McCain will not win the presidency.  He must reach out to conservative Republicans and clearly distinguish himself from Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama.  He must explain not only why, but how he intends to seal our borders.  He continues to link himself with Ronald Reagan and has referred to himself as a "foot soldier in the Reagan Revolution." Senator, we would never question your patriotism or courage.  But there are some people who question your conservatism.  Now is the time, Senator McCain, to be that foot soldier and display your credentials.