I am probably (as usual) in a minority, but I like McCain’s crusty side. Many great leaders (Patton and Churchill spring instantly to mind) shoot off a bit at the lip from time to time.
I want a leader, not an ambassador. I want someone who, within reason, says what he thinks.
When I hear that people don't like seeing angry politicians, I despair for this country. We NEED an angry person who will go into DC and burn down all this bipartisan crap that lets Chris Dodd and Barney Frank get out there without being reamed by the media for their parts in this mess. I certainly don't think McCain is going to be the one to scream at them--they are, after all, Democrats--but he's CAPABLE of it. Maybe when he's president he will start attacking Dems, too, even though they're from his own party. (Kidding.)
The media are trying to soooooothe us, make us think we want a National Mr. Rogers. I want someone who'll look into that debate camera and say "I'm as sick of this crap as you, let me go clean up the mess."