This is interesting. I believed that McCain played the loyal soldier for Bush (who he plainly hates) because he figured Bush was going to lose, and that would establish McCain as the de facto leader of the opposition to Pres. Kerry for four years, setting up what would probably be an unstoppable McCain/Powell ticket in '08.
But then Bush didn't lose. My gut feeling is that the economy and Iraq will both melt down over the next four years to the point where the only GOP ticket that could win would be resurrected Jesus/Reagan. Maybe McCain senses it as well. He certainly seems to be distancing himself from Iraq with this, doesn't he?
Right. Speaking out against Bush in '04 would have earned him a "traitor" label. Now he's just campaigning. And he's pushing that steroid bill, which is pure politics.
BUT, BUT, BUT --- what sane person now believes the guy? He has painted himself with the same brush as Powell; maybe they are both fine decent human beings whose natural inclinations are towards my sort of politics, but they have both shown themselves as willing to lie, to say whatever is necessary, to play nice with evil, and given that the fact is that I can no longer trust a word they say.
Why should I believe in their sincerity just because this time they happen to be saying something I agree with?
Are we saying that McCain and Powell have both succeeded in hitting that "sweet spot" in which no one on either side of the aisle could conceivably trust them ever again?