Well, I think the NRO people are saying that McCain is assiduously courting the think tank types and he basically got a you da man chorus at Heritage recently.
Many people are saying McCain isn't so born again, he did go to Nam-- no draft evasion charges, he wants to cut pork and he is very pro-Israel. I think lots of "smart" people think he can win and the McCainiacs from 2000 are ready to ride again.
His only two strong points. But his pro-tax, pro-open borders, anti-gun positions will kill him with the GOP base. Personally I don't think he has a chance in hell, Plamegate or no Plamegate.