McCain Lost But Not Forgotten

As Zell Miller, the former governor of Georgia and Democrat in name only, shouted his invective-filled keynote revenge rant during the 2004 Republican National Convention, the party faithful on the floor screamed with approval and blood thirsty enthusiasm. Miller was reaching across the aisle with red meat anti-Kerry rhetoric and the crowd was loving it. For anyone not in the hall, however, viewing the speech from the comfort of their living couch, it was a keynote address that summed up everything the "folks" hate about the political parties in America. It was one ugly pep talk.

Immediately afterwards, NBC had Republican runner-up for the nomination, John McCain, in the booth for his reaction and comments. McCain had no time to prepare his thoughts, let alone script any remarks, between the time the speech ended and the cameras were on him. The first question: "Senator, what did you think of Zell Miller's speech?" Without hesitation, McCain replied, "I didn't care for it." He then went on to tell us that he felt that Miller's address crossed the line, and was far too personal an attack against Kerry. At that moment, I knew that our country had missed out on someone special in John McCain. In the middle of the Republican coronation party for W, when party unity isn't just a friendly suggestion but a strictly enforced requirement, when all matter of election year hyperbole is encouraged and rewarded, McCain spoke his mind (and I think the truth, too).

The media has given him up for dead this cycle. His fund raising efforts have been far below expectations, and he has purged much of his senior campaign staff in the past few months. He's flying commercial, and he isn't generating any "buzz". It looks to me like he plays better from behind anyway, and that the role of front runner doesn't complement his style or accentuate his strengths. When a man not even in the race, Fred Thompson, can poll at 13% in Iowa, that says to me that the Republican faithful are dissatisfied with their front runners, Guiliani and Romney. That is McCain's opening, and don't be surprised if he breaks through.

I want to hear him take questions while we're in NH, and that will be a priority for us. I don't always agree with McCain, and his role as The Great Compromiser in the Senate could work against him. One thing I'll say, though, is he is a leader. That's a good start. Now if he only had better hair...

JS