Roger Simon has a observation and a suggestion for conservatives who believe John McCain has a lot to prove to them when he attends CPAC. First the observation:

Speaking bluntly, it may be that the search for ideological purity anywhere on the political spectrum is a fool’s game (unless you’re trying to sell books or drive ratings). Anyway, it’s clear from Tuesday’s returns the Republican electorate isn’t buying it. Across much of the country, the man advertising himself as the perfect conservative ran a poor third to a “maverick” Republican and a Southern populist. And that purist of purists, Ron Paul, simply disappeared from view.

I plead guilty to playing this very game right here in Virginia. Many people I know and respect play it as well. The results, however, have been mixed at best. This is not to say that conservatives should bow down and accept whatever the GOP throws there way in the form of candidates and policies. I remain a big fan of primary challenges because they can be both clarifying and cathartic...if not always successful. And given that so many of the state's legislative districts are so cleverly gerrymandered, primaries are often the only way to generate discussion or change direction.

But the notion that somewhere out there is a politician who will always vote the way I want, all the time, is foolish. Politicians, like the rest of us, are fallable creatures who respond to the incentives around them. That actually makes a case for changing the incentives and the political culture as much as it might changing the candidates (but that is a debate for another time).

Which brings me to Simon's suggestion regarding conservatives and John McCain:

So I have a suggestion for the attendees at CPAC. You are expecting John McCain to meet you at least halfway (or maybe more) on Thursday. Why don’t you think about meeting him halfway as well? He has something to do that you don’t. He has to win a presidential election. The American electorate is in the middle. If you force him too much over to your side, in the name of ideological purity you will have elected your opponents.

There is a good case to be made that McCain has little choice but to meet the CPACers half way. But make the attempt he must and will. For conservatives, then, the question becomes whether they will show the same degree of outreach. Or at least give him the courtesy of a hearing.