Conservative Group Takes Aim At McCain

ABC’s Jake Whitman Reports:  A conservative anti-tax group is taking aim at Sen. John McCain, R-AZ, after the Republican presidential candidate turned down an invitation to speak before the group.

McCain has announced he will not attend the Club for Growth’s annual winter conference in Palm Beach, Florida, that starts March 31st.  McCain says he will be on a trip to Iraq on that date.  McCain told the Associated Press last night in California that he’s not sidestepping invitations to appear before right-leaning groups. 

Club for Growth isn’t cutting McCain any slack.  The group has issued a press release, calling the senator a "no supply-sider."

"While Senator McCain’s economic record contains a number of pro-growth positions, such as his support for school choice and free trade, and his steadfast opposition to wasteful government spending, his overall record is tainted by a marked antipathy towards the free market and individual freedom," the release reads.

The club will hear from three Republican hopefuls at the conference–  former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Sen. Sam Brownback, R-KS.