McCain calls for support from Republican faithful

Mr. McCain said winning votes from Democrats and independents that helped power his sweep over George W. Bush the day before in Michigan and Arizona should not alienate fellow Republicans.

"I hope it would lead them to say, 'Hey, we might have a winning combination here,' " he said, adding that even more GOP partisans should hop on and "enjoy the ride."

Mr. Bush predicted that he would rebound and win the nomination. But there were jitters among his allies, including some who criticized his campaign's tactics, saying he has relied too much on TV instead of grass-roots organizing.

"There's a lot of people who signed on early with Governor Bush who are wondering why this is going on so long," said New Hampshire GOP Chairman Steve Duprey.

Chris DePino, chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party and another Bush backer, said of the governor's Austin strategists, "I think there's a learning curve happening right now in terms of running a national campaign."

Mr. Bush, campaigning in Los Angeles, termed his defeat in Michigan a "glancing blow" caused mainly by his party's enemies, Democrats and other people who are "trying to hijack the election."

"It's an unanticipated part of the process. That's OK. That's gonna stop here pretty soon," he said.

Both candidates focused Wednesday on California, which offers the largest number of delegates in "Fat Tuesday" primaries March 7, when a dozen states hold presidential contests.

Among their dueling exchanges, from Mr. Bush:

The governor said that while he didn't win Tuesday, he dominated the Republican turnout in Michigan. He suggested that would spell trouble for Mr. McCain in the upcoming contests that only allow Republicans to vote.

Mr. Bush tweaked Mr. McCain for depending so heavily on Democrats that he now finds himself forced to make more concerted appeals within his own party.

"I find it amazing that somebody running for president on the Republican side has now all of a sudden got to start reaching out to Republicans," he said.

From Mr. McCain:

The Arizona senator rebutted Mr. Bush's argument that he's building his victories outside the GOP, among voters who probably will abandon him in November.

"I love the Republican Party. It is my home. . . . We are creating a new majority, my friends. A McCain majority. As I look more electable, we'll start drawing more Republicans."

Mr. McCain continued to push his message of reducing the influence of money in politics, which he said would attract a wider array of voters.

Invoking Reagan

Both contenders also argued over who better represents the ideals pursued by a former California governor and president, Ronald Reagan.

"I'm a proud conservative Republican. I am a Reagan Republican. Have no doubt about that," Mr. McCain said.

But Mr. Bush repeated an earlier criticism of the senator's tax plan that he said would discourage charitable giving.

"It's not Reaganesque," he said. "It is not Reaganesque to support a tax plan that is Clinton in nature."

Also, Mr. Bush's California chairman, Gerry Parsky, denied a report that former first lady Nancy Reagan was about to endorse Mr. McCain. "She's not supporting or endorsing John McCain; she's remaining neutral in this primary," he said.

Before arriving in California, Mr. McCain campaigned in Washington, which votes on Tuesday.

Ralph Munro, secretary of state in Washington and Mr. McCain's state campaign chairman, said the senator had the ideas and the energy, even though Mr. Bush enjoys widespread Republican establishment support.

"He's got a lot of the Republican organization," Mr. Munro said, "because so many people were eager to get on the train before it left. They're starting to come back now."

Mr. Bush looked for support among Hispanic voters in California, and he spoke via satellite with audiences in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento and Fresno. He emphasized free trade with Mexico and other Latin American countries.

Meanwhile, governors, fund-raisers and ranking GOP officials second-guessed Mr. Bush and his strategists in the aftermath of his two primary losses.

Critical errors?

Several said that his visit in South Carolina to Bob Jones University, whose founder was known for anti-Catholic sentiments, gave Mr. McCain an issue in Michigan and other primary states with large Catholic populations.

"I think it was stupid," Connecticut Gov. John Rowland said.

Mr. Rowland also said Mr. Bush has relied too much on TV at the expense of grass-roots organizing.

"It's voter turnout," he said. "It's contact and follow-up. It's good, old-fashioned one-on-one by the candidate. I don't think there's been enough of that" from Mr. Bush.

One GOP leader in Michigan, speaking on the condition that he not be identified, said Mr. Bush needs to work harder.

"I hope he makes it, but he never really did the hard work," the operative said. "Back in June, he gave a stump speech. I saw him in September, and he gave the same speech."

Other allies said they still believe Mr. Bush will take upcoming primaries.

"When it comes down to it, and they actually have to choose a nominee and a president, voters are going to be looking for the guy who had done stuff and not just look at the slogans and a lot of rah rah," said Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. "That's when Governor Bush will prevail."