I am the real conservative Republican in the race.

I will connect with New Yorkers fed up with old-style politics and who see this race as about celebrity and personality.

In choosing a president, we really don't choose a Republican or Democrat, a conservative or liberal. We choose a leader, ... And in times of danger, as we are now in, Americans should put leadership at the core of their decision. George W. Bush sees world terrorism for the evil that it is, and he will remain consistent to the purpose of defeating it while working to make us ever safer at home.

We wouldn't have called him a conservative as far as being a Texas Republican.

In choosing a president, we really don't choose a Republican or Democrat, a conservative or liberal. We choose a leader.

As the clear and active Republican front runner for 2008, McCain is not just a conservative. Otherwise why would he be so controversial among the party's base?