WASHINGTON -- Republican presidential hopeful John McCain's argument as he woos restive religious and social conservatives comes down to this: "I have a record that can be trusted."
His GOP rivals, he suggests, do not.
"I'll match my record of defending conservative principles against any other candidate in this race," McCain says in remarks prepared for delivery Friday at a gathering of "values voters." "I know you might not always agree with me on every issue, but I hope you know I'm not going to con you."
In excerpts of the speech made available to The Associated Press, McCain criticizes his opponents without naming them, implying that rivals such as Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson have been unfaithful to conservative tenants on social issues.
"This is not the time to turn our back on the progress we've made on the issues that matter most," McCain says, arguing that he has shown "a consistent commitment" to the issues religious and cultural conservatives hold dear.
This influential group of voters has yet to coalesce around a Republican candidate. All the major GOP hopefuls will address the gathering Friday and Saturday.
McCain's pitch gets to the heart of the trouble he has had rallying this segment of the GOP base; they don't trust the man who in 2000 called their leaders "agents of intolerance."
He also hasn't been a vocal champion of social issues they hold dear _ even though his voting record is solidly conservative on those topics. Additionally, McCain has drawn criticism from this wing of the party because he doesn't support a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage; he says that is an issue for states to decide.
"I have been pro-life my entire public career. I believe I am the only major candidate in either party who can make that claim," he says, drawing a contrast with Giuliani, who backs abortion rights, and Romney, who now opposes such rights after once supporting them.
Says McCain: "You need only examine my public record to know that I won't ever change my position to fit the politics of the day."
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