McCain bows to right wing, keeps GOP platform on same-sex marriage untouched.

Two weeks ago, the conservative Family Research Council called on Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) to “clarify his stance on marriage and life as it relates to his party’s existing platform.” McCain has remained silent on the issue, but today, the Washington Times reports that “advisers” to his presidential campaign “say he will not try to “soften” the Republican party’s platform on abortion and same-sex marriage to appeal to more voters.” The advisers’ assurance to conservatives comes at the same time that prominent religious conservative James Dobson has told the Wall Street Journal that he sees “no evidence” that McCain is “drawing conservatives into his fold.” “To the contrary, he seems intent on driving them away,” says Dobson.