It never hurts to be realistic about such things (i.e., cynical). Assume that McCain really is a politician first and a statesman second. If that is the case, then we need to let him know that 15-20% of his base—the same ones who didn’t jump on board til the Palin pick—will revolt, Palin or no Palin. In other words, his political future will depend on killing the Mother of All Earmarks and we all need to let him know this.
If, on the other hand, he believes himself to be a statesman and he still supports the Paulson/Dodd plan on principle, then he has a bigger problem as it directly undercuts his entire “reform” approach inaugurated with Palin’s inclusion on the ticket. I’d half expect her to jump off the ticket in disgust and, in fact, I’m not sure how she could defend the Plan during the debates since it clearly contradicts her own stated worldview.
I bet you're right. He was instrumental in having the House Republicans included in the primary discussions, and if the dems are squealing now and pointing at him in particular, then their socialist plans are getting stomped on. Excellent.