The McCain Speech at CPAC

I’ve got to run to a briefing, but the quick version is this:

Conservatives and free marketers have many disagreements with McCain, and they’re right to. McCain-Feingold, McCain-Lieberman, the votes against the Bush tax cuts — these are not exactly small matters. But what he said today should get some attention from advocates of limited-government.

On earmarks, spending, taxes, and health care, McCain vowed to pursue a sturdy, realistic limited-government agenda. Here’s a passage from a copy of the speech sent out to media:

Senator Clinton and Senator Obama want to increase the size of the federal government.

I intend to reduce it. I will not sign a bill with earmarks in it, any earmarks in it. I will fight for the line item veto, and I will not permit any expansion whatsoever of the entitlement programs that are bankrupting us. On the contrary, I intend to reform those programs so that government is no longer in that habit of making promises to Americans it does not have the means to keep.

Senator Clinton and Senator Obama will raise your taxes.

I intend to cut them. I will start by making the Bush tax cuts permanent. I will cut corporate tax rates from 35 to 25% to keep industries and jobs in this country. I will end the Alternate Minimum Tax. And I won’t let a Democratic Congress raise your taxes and choke the growth of our economy.

They will offer a big government solution to health care insurance coverage.

I intend to address the problem with free market solutions and with respect for the freedom of individuals to make important choices for themselves.

These are serious words from a candidate whose platform largely consists of, “You can trust me to follow through on my promises.” Of course, right now, they’re only words, but it’s still nice to hear a presidential candidate say them.

At NRO, Steven Spruiell has some video highlights of the speech for those who missed it.