As old McCain is, biding his time might be a very good strategy for Salmon.
At least he’s not swimming upstream.
Salmon is smart enough to not take on McLame unless or until it is clear that he’ll have enough support and funding to give him a fighting good chance of success.
Running against McCain in a GOP primary is like hunting an old lion with a pistol. You’d better hit it in just the right spot on the head, so to speak, or you’re the lion’s lunch.