The question left lingering is whether conservatives will rally for McCain with the kind of enthusiasm core Democratic voters are showing for Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama. Several conservatives interviewed Thursday at the conference said McCain could signal his embrace by selecting a running mate with credibility with the right wing, by talking more about conservative values and the nation's culture in addition to tax cuts and fighting terrorism.

"If John McCain does nothing, he's nominated and wins the nomination of the Republican Party, most conservatives will vote for him," said David Keene, chairman of the American Conservative Union. "But 'most conservatives' is not enough to win the election, it's not enough to secure your base."

The past year gave voters a good look at the Democratic primary challengers, a thoroughly inexperienced lot. Given that the three Democrats with any chance of winning the nomination comprise less experience in national office combined than John McCain and no executive experience at all, some disenchantment may have set in with voters. It certainly doesn't give Democrats a reason to think that they have momentum for a general election -- in fact, this survey shows the opposite.

After losing their first national election in four cycles in 2006, it looks like Republicans could rebound in 2008. They have the momentum, and they have closed the gap almost to where it was in November 2004. A few more months of Democratic incompetence in Congress could close the gap altogether.

A small number of terrorists, high-value targets, held overseas have gone through an interrogation program run by the CIA. It's a tougher program, for tougher customers. These include Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind of 9/11. He and others were questioned at a time when another attack on this country was believed to be imminent. It's a good thing we had them in custody, and it's a good thing we found out what they knew.

The procedures of the CIA program are designed to be safe, and they are in full compliance with the nation's laws and treaty obligations. They've been carefully reviewed by the Department of Justice, and very carefully monitored. The program is run by highly trained professionals who understand their obligations under the law. And the program has uncovered a wealth of information that has foiled attacks against the United States; information that has saved thousands of lives.

Ronald Reagan was one of us, a Cold War anti-communist union leader in the 1940s when neocons were still in mourning for Leon Trotsky. He was a militant free-market conservative in the 1950s when they were still wild about Harry. He was a fiery Goldwaterite in the 1960s when neocons were going all the way with LBJ.

None can say with certitude how Reagan would have responded to 9-11. Yet, it is hard to believe he would have invaded Iraq, absent hard evidence of Saddam's involvement in Sept. 11. For, in spite of Reagan's reputation as a cowboy, prudence – that most conservative of virtues – was a hallmark of his presidency in the Cold War conflict.

The Democratic race is incredibly close and the Democrats' emphasis of proportional delegates suggests it might stay close to the bitter end. If the nomination breaks for Hillary on the basis of superdelegates it could be a DISASTER for the the Democratic party and severely alienate the black vote. GOP strategists should start thinking up strategies now to reach out and court the black vote if that happens.