McCain's Firmness Wins Over Christian Conservative Leader

David Brody reports Phil Burress, an evangelical conservative leader, has come aboard to help Sen. McCain win in November. Here's a portion of a memo he sent to other Christian conservative activists:

Yesterday, though, I saw and listened to a man who likewise is principled. John McCain, unlike most politicians, will not be bullied, threatened, paid off or pressured into changing his position. That was refreshing. I was once one of those people who said "no way" to Senator John McCain as President. No longer. The stakes are too high. And if Obama wins I need to able to get up on November 5th, look at myself in the mirror, and when I pray, say, "Lord, I did all that I could."

Notice that it's more about stopping Sen. Obama then being for McCain. However, also notice how McCain's biography and his reputation as a maverick helped him. Burress sees him as "principled," tough, and firm in his convictions. McCain's stubbornness on issues that infuriate many conservatives may be the very quality that ends up bringing them out to volunteer and vote for him. Being true to himself will be a strength for McCain and a good contrast to Obama who is a blank slate with a thin resume tacking to the center for political expediency. Early in the primary season Obama mesmerized millions with his perceived authenticity. Despite all the teeth-nashing conservatives like me will give him, McCain has a chance of winning the authenticity battle. [Cross-posted to The American Mind.]