A reader writes:
These commencement speeches also seem to have begun the process of lancing a pair of boils: that McCain is too old and too hotheaded to be President. By stressing his half century of service and the manner in which age has matured and moderated his views and tempered his conceit of himself, he presents himself as the wise old man of politics, blessed with experience and the ability to put matters into their proper perspective. He may have more to do to combat these concerns, but these speeches seem to be a more than decent start.
Above all, however, McCain seems to be stating one obvious, but frequently over-looked, truth. You need not agree with me on every issue to support me. It’s laughable to suppose otherwise, yet that’s where we seem to be as any deviation form party orthodoxy is treated as an act of excommunicable heresy. That’s crazy and childish. If McCain can change that dynamic then he’ll have done his country yet another service. After all, that’s how most people actually think and feel.
Above all, perhaps, McCain is interesting – and not just to journalists. He’s not perfect, but nor does he pretend to be and that is another plus. But he does seem to have an honesty that allows him to gently, and politely, rebuke Falwell et al for their intolerance of dissent even while trying to reach out to voters who might be sceptical of his intentions. Since politics does require one to engage with folk with whom we disagree I should have thought McCain’s willingness to speak anywhere, to any audience is a matter for celebration not regret. I’m not sure it counts as pandering.
Whether he can win with this strategy remains to be seen of course. It would be nice to think he could though, no?
Yes, it would. And if he continues in this vein, I’ll do what I can to support him. And I have a feeling I won’t be alone.
The Dish 