It's almost Rovian.

"It Seems Like Genius, But I Think He's Just Cranky"

You're spot on Frank J.

I can't add anything to your succinct observation.

I’m John McCain and I’d like to apologize and disassociate myself from this Blog run by hurtful, conservatives. Constant criticism of my close personal friend, Barack Obama will not be tolerated in this campaign and to this end I am hereby issuing orders from my campaign that IMAO be immediately shut down never to operate as a Blog again!

After McCain-Feingold, I think he's speaking from the heart, to be perfectly honest.

He is giving us all a great preview of what kind of President he will be. That is why I am writing in Fred (or Putin, or John Lennon) in November.

Personaly I dont care for this strategy. What is he going to do come GE when he needs to point out the (eh hem) "shortcomings" of his opponent. This strategy sets the stage for an auto response along the lines of "Senator McCain .... we thought you were against negative campaign tactics". If it were me and I was asked what I think about the rival wannabe's, my response would be "I think they're both dumass's". When asked if I would like to clarify that statment, I would then reply " If you dont know the meaning of the word DUMBASS, then you are a dumbass too."

This would perpetuate my angry, cranky, actually possesing a pair of testicles image, needed to KICK the SHIT out of our enemies (foreign and domestic)..... Hey it worked for Reagen....

mccain manages to hide his true philosophy behind a claimed desire for civility and respect. This buys him some credit with the media and the voters.

His stated position is, however, only a veil hiding his true belief: that the People do not have the right to criticize or question a public official or a candidate for public office. mccain's speeches when M-F was being debated clearly demonstrate this.

Lately mccain has expanded this position, allowing some remarks to be made about his opponents - but only as long as he, mccain, is acknowledged to be the arbiter of the acceptability of the remarks. Can anyone here make a comment on o'bummer or hillary that they know will be OK with the mccain campaign?

Say what you will about o'bummer; at least he doesn't have a state plan for revising the First Amendment.

I don't understand how McCain thinks he's going to win the Democrat nomination with all of these apologies.

By the way, could someone tell me how the Republicans ended up without a candidate for President this year? Did all the Republicans that were running die or something?

Ya got that right.

I thought the add was great. McCain is sucking on a toilet,

If anybody gave a rip what people like us think, Fred Thompson would be our nominee and John McCain would be long retired.

So McCain has no reason to fear he is pissing off the so-called conservative base.

I agree he is using smart campaigning. The anti-Obama message is heard loud and clear, and he can stand back and proudly proclaim he is above the fray.

I think conservatives need to recognize that McCain is what we are stuck with as a nominee and like him or not, he is a hell of a lot better than Osama Bin Hillary would be. Instead of being outraged at his so-called anti-conservative, anti-base campaigning, we need to rally around him and pretend we love him. We need to get the base out in droves and win back Congress. A strong conservative House of Representatives can prevent McCain from passing any of his stupid maverick centrist pap. After all, McCain is no different from GWB on immigration, and GWB and McCain working together couldn't pass their immigration bill because House conservatives wouldn't play ball.

So seriously, let's work WITH McCain this election, win the White House, take back Congress, and use the House to fight for a conservative agenda.

Many of us will be working very hard to elect a conservative (republican?) House and Senate this Fall.

But when mccain calls to ask us for money (he won't ask for help, because he doesn't believe he needs it) the coffers will be empty. We will be energized for the Congressional elections, but we will not rally around mccain.

Mark Twain said that no man's life, liberty or property was safe while the congress was in session. I'd prefer a conservative government run by sober adults but If I can't have that then I'll take a throw blame, take credit, and do nothing government. I've become convinced that the government is best that governs least. A perfectly balanced congress wouldn't be able to pass any law that wasn't blindingly obviously necessary to the survival of the nation; and why should they pass any other kind of law? We've seen what Dems do when they have majorities (and shuddered). We've seen what Republicans do when they're in the majority (and blushed). Let those good old constitutional checks and balances do their thing and keep the knuckleheads busy chewing each others ears while the real world rolls along without their inteference. Ah well, it's a dream of mine - but wouldn't it be loverly?