McCain courts conservatives in Iowa

Signs of support
McCain has made some progress in Iowa. He picked up the endorsement of state Sen. Chuck Larson, a former head of the Iowa Republican Party. Larson, who was deployed in Iraq for a year as an Army reservist, was impressed with McCain’s Vietnam record.

“It was important, but more important was his leadership in the United States Senate,” said Larson, who will be at McCain’s side Thursday.

Although early, the 2008 campaign differs from the 2000 election, and so does McCain.

In 2000, he was a maverick running against then-Gov. George W. Bush, who was favored by the Republican establishment. McCain skipped Iowa and rattled around in a bus dubbed “the Straight Talk Express.” After some early successes, a drubbing in South Carolina forced him from the race.

This year, McCain has moved deliberately, carefully building ties to the GOP establishment and recruiting top fundraisers and strategists from Bush’s camp. His swing through Iowa was a signal that he’ll probably compete in what is shaping up as a crowded caucus campaign.

Will he be forgiven?
Many are willing to listen.

“They haven’t seen him and conservatives are used to being courted,” Popma said.

Hurley raised the possibility of welcoming McCain.

“Forgiveness is biblical, too,” Hurley said. “I’m all for forgiving him if he says he did wrong.”

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