Is McCain going to get booed at CPAC today?

CPAC it seems, is directing its loyal goers to not boo McCain. They must be more excited that McCain has finally signed on to appear after years of snubs than they want to let on.

During registration last night at the Omni Shoreham a registrant was asking to upgrade his CPAC package and then proceeded to ask what time GOP front-runner John McCain was going to speak today. "Oh good," he said to the response -- answer: 3 p.m. today -- "I hope they boo him out of the room."

"No, no no no no" came the reply from the person registering him. "We've been instructed to tell participants not to boo McCain."

"Are you kidding me?" the shocked CPAC-goer asked.

It is now 3:04 p.m. and I am listening on XM POTUS.

Standing by.

03:07 -- McCain is now being introduced by George Allen.

"We are at war, and the prreminent role of the president is commander in chief.

John McCain has the knowledge and experience to be commander in chief. Cites his remarks that he'd rather lose a race than lose a war.

There's considerable cheering.

No booing, which is good.

Allen cites his previous disagreements, but relates McCain's opposition to taxes, and wants line item veto.

"My fellow conservatives, you are essential teammates in our cause." Stresses the difference between McCain and Hillary. etc.

Just announced his name.

There were some very audible (but not overwhelming) boos.

But first, Senator Coburn! He's giving a second introduction.

No boos I can hear when he mentions his name

3:15 -- Islamic extremism, looming financial catastrophe.

McCain will cut waste. Will challenge the excesses of Congress.

willing to do the right thing, Courage matters most.

Lots of cheers, no boos.

This is not as bad as I was expecting.

3:17 -- Coburn says McCain will declare war on pork. No more bridges to nowhere, museums to hippie flashbacks, etc. (Wild cheering.)

Will fight government run universal health care plan. He will fight Congress. (I think that's right, too.)

Coburn admits that McCain has done things he disagrees with, but cites his support for numerous conservative/strict constructionist judges. No secret amnesty plan. "If he did, he knows I'd kill him."

Desire to tackle corruption was correct. Congress was unrestrained.

Concerns expressed about John McCain pales compared to the important issues.

Has a conservative record on the transcendant issue of our time (human life). On national security, he's the most qualified.

Not perfect, we'll disagree, but---

"I'll debate anyone who thinks Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama will be better."

Just introduced him. The boos are almost inaudible.

3:23 -- Now watching on Fox.

The crowd is being quite civil, as McCain talks about the need to unite party. And I am acutely aware than I cannot do that without conservatives. Many of you have disagreed with me strongly. It is my sincere hope that even if I have disagreed, I have maintained the record of being a conservative. Have defended conservatism.

Liberty is a right conveyed by our creator, not governments.

Mentions Ronald Reagan on never abandoning fundamental beliefs. Recalls Reagan, his fellow prisoners,

Has not forgotten his Reagan heritage. "As proud today as I was then."

Small government, fiscal conservatism, strong defense, social values, defense of life liberty and pursuit of happiness, which I have defended my whole career as God-given to the born and the unborn.

(These remarks are all punctuated with applause, and I think he's doing quite well with this crowd.)

Mentions his Second Amendment record, his 24 year pro-life record, his advocacy of increasing troop levels in Iraq -- to more cheers.

3:34 -- Mentions disagreements people have had "I would not pretend otherwise, and you wouldn't let me" (Laughter)

Mentions the words "illegal immigration" and for the first time the boos erupt in earnest. McCain handles this very gracefully, throws up his hands, and laughs along with the boos. He's actually letting them beat up on him and his sincerity really shows.

He's a good man, and I think even his enemies there know it.

He knew the boos were coming, and I think he decided in advance to let them come.

3:38 -- He did a great job of explaining himself, and he is moving on to national security. The applause sounds quite sincere.

I will not sign a bill with earmarks in it. Any earmarks in it.

"And I can assure you, Senator Coburn will hold me to it."

Senator Clinton and Senator Obama will raise your taxes. I intend to cut them. I will begin by making the Bush tax cuts permanent. Will cut corporate taxes, end alternative minimum tax.

Wants free choice in health care.

Will appoint judges who will respect the rights of the people.

Iraq: Clinton and Obama offer withdrawal and timetables with dire consequences. I will win the war.

3:44 --I know war. I know that the heartbreak caused by prematurely leaving Iraq will cause far greater losses than we have had to date.

Will stand up to Iran. (He means it.)

Hillary and Obama will withdraw. He will stay on offense.

"Those are just a few of the differences."

We've had a few disagreements. Even in disagreement, I will seek the counsel of my fellow conservatives. Even if I disagree, I hope you will not lose sight of the agreements.

Deep and unwavering love.

As Burke warned, freedom can be nibbled away and eaten by parts.

Love America. Will never tire of the honor of serving her.

I think he did very well.

On Fox, Michael Steele said: "He hit it out of the park. The pivot point was when they started to boo him. He began to take control of the Republican Party at that point."

Steele stressed his humility. It really came through.

(I was going to vote for him anyway, but this time I have to say that the guy has won me over with the way he handled a potentially hostile crowd today. A class act. I'm sure the video will be all over the Internet.)

MORE: Even McCain arch-opponent Richard Viguerie (on POTUS) calls this a "first step" and "a good speech."

As to immigration, Viguerie allows that "he handled it as well as he could."

I think it's a good thing that they started on making peace in the GOP now rather than later.

AND MORE: I don't think the Democrats are going to be happy about this at all. Now they won't be able to run against Bush.

And, as Bob Krumm points out, McCain is very definitely not Bush:

...being an administration outsider, "John McCain would be free to run against Bush's bad policies, while he promises to pursue his good ones. In effect, he could run against the worst of both parties." He offers change without Obama's inexperience. He captures the middle that by now hates Bushes and Clintons. As bad as things are for the Republicans, a John McCain nomination puts Democrats into an even worse position.

I remember a very scrappy John McCain saying he would beat Hillary "like a drum." I think he's going to enjoy the fight. The last thing the Democrats want is to have to engage in political combat with a Happy Warrior.

Damn. Now I'm even feeling happy!

MORE: This was a live blog post and I apologize for the many errors in typing and spelling. (Anyone who hired to take dictation would be ruined.)