If George Allen or Mitt Romney don't build a strong showing very soon, the answer is "YES" you will see McCain as the Republican front runner and possible nominee.
Unlike campaign past...even as lately as Bush's 2000 election..perhaps it was more important that the candidates mount a campaign themselves...
BUT, I think now...and with what talk radio and the internet did to sway the South Dakota election in 2004, I think it is in OUR best interests to start weeding out potential candidates...
and when we see someone we like...WE can get a grassroots campaign going in a matter of weeks...not months like before.
At this point...we are probably more at the stage of knowing who we DON'T WANT...and can have a grassroots effort to get America to look in different directions than the MSM is trying to get them to look...
It is already only 2 1/2 years until next POTUS election..and, given that there is no VP waiting to pick up the mantle...we can't wait...it must start now.