Free Republic

McCain gains political capital in elections By Stephen Dinan THE WASHINGTON TIMES November 8, 2006 Sen. John McCain emerged from yesterday's elections as one of Republicans' only winners as Democrats made solid gains and both parties turn an eye toward 2008. The Arizona Republican, who wasn't up for re-election, rallied to the side of Republican candidates at 131 events -- a strong showing that displayed his rising popularity. His strength was underscored Monday when Charlie Crist, Florida's new Republican governor, chose to skip a scheduled rally with President Bush for an event with Mr. McCain. "There's going to be a...

The problem is not that his speech Tuesday night failed to quell his critics: The problem is that his speech failed to reassure his worried supporters. Those of us who support this president and this war do not need to be told how important it is to win. That's precisely why we are worried — because every day brings terrible news that makes us fear that the war is being lost. He could have cited the capture of three of the top insurgent leaders over the last three months, including Abed Dawood Suleiman (Abu Musab Zarqawi's top military aide), Muhammad...