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In addition, John McCain is detested, and deservedly so, by many Republicans of all types. Beyond issue and policy differences, and they are legion, his personality grates. His conceit of "straight-talk" and "maverick"-like independence so superficially applauded (up until now) by the mainstream media is almost Clintonesque in its narcissism. If only other politicians had his courage, he implies, things would be fixed straightaway. The big special interests have all the other elected officials in their pockets. Only Maverick-John tells it like it is! Yet the truth is that McCain could serve well as poster boy of the arrogant elitist beltway insider, friend of Hillary and Ted, foe of the unwashed.

Actually, underneath all the nasty invective, there is something to that. It's McCain's manner that puts people off. I'd say even more than actual policy differences.

What his supporters see as a principled maverick looks like an obstinate prima donna to people who aren't that into him.

I'm not saying that's reason enough to vote against him, but it does make you think.

McCain's admission that economics wasn't his strong point, may really hurt him. If you've been in Congress for a quarter century and haven't gotten up to speed on that, it raises some real questions.

Head to head, I'd still pick him over Obama -- he's still more experienced and sound on policy -- but if he doesn't show competence in this area, it's going to hurt him in November.

The party habit of selecting the next in line (e.g. Dole) has rarely produced such an unappealing candidate at such a critical time.

But is it the candidate or the time? I'd suppose that if the country and the party were in the state they're in now, and George W. Bush were running for president for the first time people would be saying the same thing about him -- not the true believers maybe, but a lot of other Americans would.

In many ways he reminds one of Adlai Stevenson, who famously frustrated his supporters with his holier-than-thou ways during two failed contests against the popular broad-smiling Ike.

Sounds like a cheap shot at Adlai. After all these years, I don't know what to make of him. But certainly he was a better man than some other Democratic candidates down through the years.