At a recent stop in Charleston, SC, Senator John McCain admits the need for border security but vigorously defended the "Gang of 14" Senate compromise when questioned by Mike's America. The report is at Flopping Aces:

Q. Following Senator McCain's remarks he invited questions from the group. I introduced my question by saying: "Many conservatives in South Carolina were disappointed because you and Senator Graham (McCain's SC Co-Chairman) 1. participated in the "Gang of 14" to block the "nuclear option" and break the filibuster of President Bush's judicial nominees, 2. highlighted the "torture" of terrorist detainees weeks before the 2006 election and 3. Your previous stand on immigration." I also mentioned that many conservatives felt that they "could not trust" Senator McCain and I asked: "What can you say to them so they give your campaign another look?"

His answer was direct and clear:

"If you don't agree with the "Gang of 14" solution then I am not your candidate and you should vote for someone else."

Senator McCain went on to highlight the fact that under the Gang of 14 solution, the Senate did confirm conservative judges like Alito and Roberts. He went to say "I shudder to think what would happen if we had pulled the trigger on the nuclear option and one day Hillary Clinton was appointing judges." He asked me: "would your blogging friends still want to blow up the Senate" if Hillary Clinton was in charge? If so, I am not their candidate!

On immigration, Senator McCain admits that he's learned his lesson. "Americans want a secure border first" he said, because they "have no confidence, no trust in government" to implement a workable comprehensive reform. Under McCain's plan "border state governors will certify" whether or not the border is secure.

On torture: Senator McCain points out that "I have the same position as Colin Powell and many military leaders...those who have served will understand...Colin Powell said we had a 'higher obligation' and the morality" to distinguish ourselves from Pol Pot in the Killing Fields of Cambodia and the Burmese government that recently waterboarded protesting monks.

McCain emphasized the point that if we do it to the enemy, they will do it to us.

The whole report is at the link above. One of McCain's advantages as a candidate is his reputation for "straight talk," a rare attribute among politicians, but it can also be a weakness. His refusal to admit error on the "Gang of 14" cabal which undermined Bill Frist as Senate Majority Leader is one example. While McCain notes that both Roberts and Alito were confirmed after the "Gang" interfered, many Circuit and District Court nominees never got a vote as a result, and we still have many open judicial seats today - which now seem unlikely to be filled, since the Democratic Senate will run out the clock on Bush in the hopes of a Democratic President in 2009.

McCain also cautions we might have regreted outlawing the filibuster of judicial nominees if Hillary wins, Republicans have never done this (and no, before some fool suggests it, Abe Fortas was NOT filibustered; all Senate Republicans ever objected to was an expedited consideration - pushed by LBJ as Fortas' ethical problems were being made public - without the normal debate time). Ruth Bader Ginsburg was confirmed 96-3 by a Republican Senate.

The Senator has made a remarkable comeback in the last several months to return to viability for his campaign, but digging in on positions like this one will not help sustain his momentum.