I'm still nursing a grudge as a result of the notorious McCain-Feingold bill, pretty much for the reasons Don Surber outlined and Glenn Reynolds linked here, and I haven't been at all impressed with the McCain candidacy.

But the something happened over the weekend which moved McCain up maybe half a notch in my estimation.

Here's Ron Kessler's Newsmax report from CPAC:

Of the 1,705 votes cast in the CPAC straw poll, Romney got 21%, compared with 17% for Giuliani and 15% for Kansas Senator Sam Brownback.

McCain trailed with 12% of the votes. The results were announced at the conclusion of the conference to a ballroom packed with 1,400 people. When McCain's name was mentioned, loud boos erupted.

They'd sound good to me right now, a soothingly perverted lullaby for my tired and angry nerves.

This is not to say that I'm in any way disappointed in Giuliani, for whom I'd have no problem voting despite my reservations about him. But McCain showed some balls by snubbing the bastards, and by booing him (not long after cheering Ann Coulter's use of the word "faggot"), CPAC not only honored McCain, they showed that they've got what it takes to lose an election. (Fortunately, they don't speak for the entire GOP.)

I'm not planning to bolt the Republican Party as Barry Campbell did earlier, but I should probably thank CPAC for a much-needed reminder of why I am not a conservative.

Yay!

UPDATE (03/05/07): Via Pajamas Media, The American Mind's Sean Hackbarth offers a reminder that not only were a number of CPAC attendees not cheering Coulter, they've signed a petition which they urge other conservatives to sign:

Denouncing Coulter is not enough. After her "raghead" remark in 2006 she took some heat. Yet she did not grow and learn. We should have been more forceful. This year she used a gay slur. What is next? If Senator Barack Obama is the de facto Democratic Presidential nominee next year will Coulter feel free to use a racial slur? How does that help conservatism?

One of the points of CPAC is the opportunity it gives college students to meet other young conservatives and learn from our leaders. Unlike on their campuses--where they often feel alone--at CPAC they know they are part of a vibrant political movement. What example is set when one highlight of the conference is finding out what shocking phrase will emerge from Ann Coulter's mouth? How can we teach young conservatives to fight for their principles with civility and respect when Ann Coulter is allowed to address the conference? Coulter's invective is a sign of weak thinking and unprincipled politicking.

CPAC sponsors, the Age of Ann has passed. We, the undersigned, request that CPAC speaking invitations no longer be extended to Ann Coulter. Her words and attitude simply do too much damage.

Frankly, I don't know what I am, and because labels disgust me, I tend to acquiesce to whatever people want to call me. Occasionally, though, I have to distance myself from people with whom I don't want to be associated, and my goal in writing this post last night was to distance myself from Ann Coulter's cheering minions -- whoever they might be.

My concern is not so much with Ann Coulter, but with the unavoidable fact that what she said was intended to please the crowd in front of her. Had they not liked hearing a remark with the "f" word, they would not have cheered.

I mean, it's not as if they don't know how to boo.