McCain’s speech to Values Voters Summit

ABC News’s Bret Hovell reports: Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., will draw a distinction for himself as the “only major candidate in either party” who has been pro-life his entire public career when he speaks Friday to the conservative Family Research Council.

“Wisdom suggests that we should be willing to give an unborn child the same chance that our parents gave us.” McCain will say, according to remarks released by his campaign. “But it takes courage in this political climate to insist on the protection of unborn children who can’t vote, have no voice, and can’t reward you with support and donations.”

McCain will address the FRC’s Values Voters Summit in Washington. Each of the Republican candidates for President will address the group.

McCain will touch on a controversy sparked last weekend about which of the major Republicans is the “real Republican.”

“I know you might not always agree with me on every issue, but I hope you know I’m not going to con you,” he will say, reprising a swipe he took at former Governor Romney, who last week said he speaks for the Republican wing of the Republican party. “One of the most important things we have in this life is our self-respect. I don’t expect you trade yours for empty promises. And I’m not going to trade mine for anyone’s vote.”

McCain will also touch on a number of issues important to the social conservative voters, including the definition of marriage, strict constructionist judges, and expressions of religious freedom.

“Religious freedom does not require Americans to hide their faith from public view,” McCain will say.

And he will refer to his time spent as a prisoner of war in during the war in Vietnam, and how faith played a role in recovery.

“I had to have faith in something greater than myself not only to survive but to survive with my self-respect intact: faith in my comrades; faith in my country; and faith in my God. That faith helped me not only to endure but to understand and respect the values it encompassed.”

He’ll conclude by arguing against what some in the Republican party have argued for: a practical nominee who has the best chance to win in a general election, no matter their views on social issues.

“This is not the time to turn our back on the progress we’ve made on the issues that matter most,” he will say, alluding to fears about the two Republican frontrunners, Giuliani and Romney.

“I have a record that can be trusted. I have the experience to lead from day one, and I am committed to victory in the race ahead.”