Spanning the U.S. to Bridge a Rift

McCain also received the endorsement of former senator Fred D. Thompson of Tennessee, another onetime rival for the Republican nomination, who called on the party to "close ranks" behind the presumed nominee. "This is no longer about past preferences or differences. It is about what is best for our country and for me that means that Republicans should close ranks behind John McCain," Thompson said in a statement reported Friday by the Associated Press.

As they courted conservatives, McCain and his aides emphasized that they must still defeat former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee before clinching the Republican nomination. The candidates will face off in primary contests on Saturday in Louisiana, Kansas and Washington state.

In Norfolk, McCain told reporters that Huckabee "is a viable candidate, and I'm sure he will continue to show strength and that's why we're moving forward with our campaign." To dismiss Huckabee's candidacy, the senator added, "would be inappropriate and unrealistic."

Whether Huckabee can rally conservatives to his side and mount a strong challenge to McCain will likely become clear over the next several days, when Republicans hold contests in Kansas and Virginia, states with large numbers of evangelicals.

Kansas "is well positioned for Mike Huckabee," Brownback said. "It's a very tough dynamic for John McCain going into Kansas."

Huckabee campaigned across Kansas on Friday, making stops in Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka and elsewhere. He also received a boost late Thursday, when he picked up the endorsement of evangelical leader James Dobson, who has said he will not back McCain because of concerns about his conservative credentials.

McCain campaign aides said they would continue to collect endorsements and try to reach across the ideological spectrum.

"We want all Republican voters to be part of the McCain coalition," said campaign manager Rick Davis, adding that McCain is still a few hundred votes shy of the 1,191 delegates he needs to secure the nomination. "You don't want to take anything for granted. Until he gets to that major number of 1,200, he's not the presumptive nominee of the party."

At the same time, McCain sounded a bit like the presumptive nominee while talking with reporters after a national security roundtable at the Nauticus maritime museum in Norfolk. McCain said he is not ready to pick a running mate, but he outlined the qualities he would look for in one. "The fundamental principle behind any selection of a running mate will be whether that person is fully prepared to take over, and shares your values, your principles, your philosophy and your priorities," he said.