"Both Hagel and McCain DOA with the Republican base who votes in primaries. How many centrist voters do we have as a lot of McCain voters in 2000 were Democrats registering as Republicans -- haven't met a lot of centrist voters that vote everytime in a primary."
If the MSM succeeds in crowning Hillary without a serious opponent, there will be a lot more crossover "independents" (i.e. Dems) voting for McCain, Hagel, et al.
McCain is the medias man. Hagel will be shunned as far as TV time goes. McCain will get his free, whereas Hagel will have to buy his. As will our future nominee George Allen.