Score one for John McCain. Evangelical leader Gary Bauer is supporting John McCain. Read Bauer's statement below:
"John McCain has dedicated his life to defending human rights around the world, including the rights of the unborn," said Mr. Bauer. "I admire his consistent 24-year pro-life record and demonstrated commitment to the values that keep our families and communities strong. John McCain alone has the experience, character and credibility to lead as commander in chief on day one and defeat the transcendent threat of our time -- radical Islamic extremism. I am proud to support John McCain for president."
Here's McCain's statement on the endorsement:
"I have long admired Gary's commitment and passion for our shared pro-life and pro-family values. Gary has always been a forceful, unapologetic advocate for the sanctity of life and traditional marriage, judicial restraint and a strong American foreign policy based on our values. I am honored to have Gary Bauer's support, and his advice and counsel will be critical as we continue to bring our Party together for victory in November."
Bauer came out for McCain in 2000 as well. Read that article here
Look, here's the deal. Bauer provides McCain cover to a certain degree with Evangelicals. McCain will no doubt point to Bauer to proclaim to people how he's bringing the party together. It's a good talking point in future interviews.
Also, Bauer will help McCain as much as he can in the closed-door meeting rooms where social conservative leaders meet on a weekly basis. Basically, he'll be a major surrogate for McCain, as he implores his fellow social conservatives because McCain can beat Hillary, he'll pick the right judges, and he's the best candidate when it comes to the war on terror.
One side note: This endorsement is proof positive of what I had been saying for awhile. Yes, the life and marriage issues are vitally important to Evangelicals, but so is the war on terror and electability.