McCain wins backing of evangelical leader

The frosty relationship between John McCain and leading social conservatives is one of the unique variables in the 2008 election. Will they swallow their objections and vote for him? Or perhaps more importantly, will they employ their fund-raising and organizing machines on his behalf?

The Christian Broadcasting Network's David Brody reports today on a positive development for Team McCain. Ohio evangelical leader Phil Burress -- who recently said of McCain, "We don't like him, and he doesn't like us" -- has come around, Brody reports.

Burress, who leads a group called Citizens for Community Values, met with McCain recently and has sent out a memo to conservative activists explaining his decision to rally behind him.

"Personally, I can't wait any longer and can't take the chance that [Barack] Obama will be our next president," Burress wrote, according to Brody.

He continued, "John McCain, unlike most politicians, will not be bullied, threatened, paid off or pressured into changing his position. That was refreshing. I was once one of those people who said 'no way' to Senator John McCain as President. No longer. The stakes are too high. And if Obama wins I need to able to get up on November 5th, look at myself in the mirror, and when I pray, say, "Lord, I did all that I could.'"