McCain Tries to Get Right With the Right

John McCain is finally trying to assuage conservatives in the wake of his Super Tuesday triumphs, reaching out to radio hosts and other vocal critics, and readying to roll out new endorsements. Surrogates have begun working Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity; others are getting a two-phase courtship—a call from a conservative McCain ally followed by an approach from the candidate himself.

As McCain works the phone, Politico reports, Republican bigwigs like Bob Dole, Bill Frist, and George Allen prepare to endorse the man the right refuses to love. The Arizona senator faces a big test today when he addresses major conservative group CPAC: He’ll stress shared positions on foreign policy, taxes, and judges—and hope right-wingers listen. (More John McCain stories.)