Republicans Abandon Conservative Base

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POLITICS / McCAIN WILL BE 2008 GOP NOMINEE

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Republicans Abandon Conservative Base ...

"If you have a McCain candidacy, you are going to capture the middle," D'Amato said. "We will have a more moderate Republican tone, tuition assistance, an immigration policy that deals with reality . . . and stay away from bashing gays.

Republicans will "race to the center" in 2008 to make up for losses in the 2006 elections.

Al D'Amato: McCain Will Be GOP Nominee

Thursday, Dec. 7, 2006

Former GOP Senator Al D'Amato said Republicans will "race to the center" in 2008 to make up for losses in the 2006 elections, and Sen. John McCain will be the man to lead them there.

D'Amato, appearing Thursday on Fox News Channel, said the Republican Party was hurt in the elections by the "morass" in Iraq and the ineffectiveness of a GOP-controlled Congress to pass meaningful legislation.

He also said President Bush was damaged by the appearance that he didn't do enough to help Hurricane Katrina victims, with the image of Bush "flying over" New Orleans in a helicopter viewed by Americans as showing he was "out of touch" with the tragedy.

D'Amato said McCain can help bring voters back to the party for the 2008 presidential elections.

"If we have someone who demonstrates strength and compassion, like a John McCain, if we stay away from issues which almost trivialize the political process, like gay marriage . . . that's nonsense. We shouldn't be about that."

D'Amato said Republicans may not favor McCain now, as some polls indicate, but he predicted that will change during the upcoming presidential campaign.

"If you have a McCain candidacy, you are going to capture the middle," D'Amato said. "We will have a more moderate Republican tone, tuition assistance, an immigration policy that deals with reality . . . and stay away from bashing gays."

"He's going to be the nominee," D'Amato said.

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