Any of the Democratic hopefuls -- flawed as they all are -- is more acceptable to me as President than John McCain. But if it had to be a Republican in 2009, I would have preferred him to any of the Republican hopefuls. Not for his beliefs -- he is far too conservative for my taste on economic issues. His recent pandering to the religious right is disgusting.

All of that said, the man comports himself as a real person, and is the only politician on Republican side of the divide (and there ain't many on the Democratic side, either) who seems to remember the days when Important Men didn't regard themselves as above getting dirty in the service of their country. The man didn't just talk about how he thought the Vietnam War was a good idea -- he went and fought in it. And raised a son who did the same in Iraq, when he easily could have kept that son out of that war. Bush 41 acted as McCain did in WWII. We know what happened when his son's turn came up.

I support(ed) neither the Vietnam or Iraq wars, but I have respect for those who did and were willing to put their asses on the line alongside the grunts who were drafted (Vietnam) and those who volunteered (both wars). And, by comparison, I have only contempt for those who think wars are something that other people go and fight -- for their benefit -- while the rest of the country parties on.

Men like John McCain -- whatever we may think of their politics -- are heavyweights. They don't strut around their offices muttering "I'm pumped" while other men's sons go to war. Because of this, one affords their other beliefs the gravitas which every serious person's beliefs deserve, even those we end up rejecting.

McCain appears to be sunk, and I don't see how any other Republican can win in 2008. This outcome will please me, but I hope McCain stays around. If only to remind those of his persuasion how men are supposed to comport themselves.

...back when he spoke his mind and told us what he really thought.

...It is the same quality that made Harry Truman and even Ross Perot so honestly and plain-spoken.

...People flocked to him in droves. He was a genuine article...the real thing.

...Then he mis-calculated. He wanted so badly the power that put the Idiot King on the throne that he began to move away from his gut and into the realm of spin and triangulation. He is not a good actor and it shows in spades when he now lies about what he thinks.

...He gave up his heavyweight status for nothing more than the backing of a pocket full of 28 percenters.

...What a sad end to a man who coulda been a contender.