The media will always do the maximum amount that they possibly can to portray him badly to Republicans because he will be on the 08 ticket, and here's the kicker:
He will be on the GOP ticket, but he darn well might be the VP.
Think Rice/McCain. And that will beat Hillary/Richardson.
If the elitist GOP kingmakers put McCain on the ticket in 08, I don't know how I could remain a Republican any longer.
Is that what your crystal ball says?
Respectfully, sir, I disagree.
McCain will certainly run (initially as a GOP) in the 2007 primaries, and I expect him to lose handily (the same blogosphere you are reading will be a big reason why.)
McCain is a well known spoiler, however. He'll either agree to run as Hillary Rodham's veep, (most likely scenario) or he'll clandestinely agree to run as a 3rd party spoiler.
Hillary will see to it that there will be a fallen Republican running as a 3rd party out of pure spite. Think Buchanon, McCain, many others. The list of potentials is pretty long.
Ironically, the Senator's current attempts to play the angles are highlighting to us just how untrustworthy, irrational, and unpresidential is the Honorable John McCain (R*)AZ.
* Arizona senate election years only
.