WASHINGTON -- With Sen. John McCain securing his party's nomination this week, many Republicans in Maryland and across the country are coming to grips with a candidate who was not their first choice.
"I have a pretty long list of concerns, but Republicans tend to be loyalists," said Michael D. Zimmer, a Carroll County commissioner who originally backed Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado. "I don't think there will be quite the same level of intensity at the grass roots for McCain as for, say, a Mitt Romney."
In the span of eight weeks, the Arizona senator rebounded from a third-place Iowa finish to win in New Hampshire and dominate on Super Tuesday. He vanquished younger and better-financed opponents who said he was too moderate, too old or too hawkish to lead his party.
McCain's quick comeback has given supporters of former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and others little time to embrace a candidate they once saw as not worthy of support.
Among the troubles for Zimmer and other right-of-center Maryland Republicans: McCain views that include his initial opposition to President Bush's tax cuts and an unwillingness to fight for the administration's judicial nominees, as well as his push for campaign finance reform and immigration proposals.
Some Republicans say questions about McCain have abated in the weeks since his nomination became a foregone conclusion.
"I've been very surprised at how the bulk of the party regulars have come together so quickly," said Chris Cavey, chairman of the Baltimore County Republican Party and initially a Thompson backer. "Sure, there are some who are zealous and very committed to their cause - and there are some who will make a point by staying home - but I think it will be a tiny number."
Still, enthusiasm for McCain has plenty of room to grow among rank-and-file Republicans, said state Sen. Alex X. Mooney of Frederick County, where former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee came within about 3,500 votes of beating McCain when Maryland voted Feb. 12.
"Is it there right now? Not so much that I see," said Mooney, who was a vice chairman of Romney's Maryland steering committee. "But can he and will he generate it? He probably will."
Mooney and other Republicans see two significant decisions ahead that will assist McCain's candidacy.
The first: a running mate selection. If McCain chooses a vice presidential nominee with strong conservative views, many party leaders will applaud, they say.
