Will McCain get the benefit of the doubt since he’s now locked up the nomination? Doesn’t look like it. According to Brody, the Family Research Council issued a statement noting that McCain has merely “tepidly endorsed” the party platform when it comes to the “protection of life and the preservation of marriage.” McCain’s federalist position “leads one to believe that his endorsement is not definitive,” the group says. For McCain, it’s a tricky dance. The GOP nominee doesn’t want to alienate the faith vote, which has proven influential in recent elections. But he’s also got to be careful about keeping in touch with the moderate Republicans and independent voters considered to be his base. So far, the candidate hasn’t focused too much on social issues on the campaign trail, preferring instead to talk about Iraq and national security. Will that change?
