A Last Gasp of McCain Nostalgia

Yes, it sort of reads like a eulogy now, but remember the days when serious media people knew: John McCain is the only Truly Great Man who deserves to lead us?

David Brooks brings them back to the present with this nostalgic tongue bath to fading "maverick" McCain in the New York Times. A stomach-churning sample:

About six months ago, I was having lunch with a political consultant and we were having a smart-alecky conversation about the presidential race. All of sudden, my friend interrupted the flow of gossip and said: "You know, there's really only one great man running for president this year, and that's McCain."

The comment cut through the way we pundits normally talk about presidential candidates….it had the added weight of truth.

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The years and the Senate have smoothed some of his rebelliousness, but he still fights a daily battle against the soul-destroying forms of modern politics.

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There have been occasions when McCain compromised his principles for political gain, but he was so bad at it that it always backfired. More often, he is driven by an ancient sense of honor…… But character is destiny, and you will never persuade me that he is not among the finest of men.

For the real deal on McCain, of course there's only one choice: Matt Welch's new book McCain: The Myth of a Maverick. You might also check out his April reason cover story on the topic.