McCain the (non) maverick-- revisited

From Paul Bedard in U.S. News & World Report...

So how did McCain lose? Well, as kids say, stuff happened. Topping [Pollster Bill] McInturff's list: Obama was the first black presidential nominee...The GOP convention was almost rained out by a hurricane over New Orleans on Hurricane Katrina's anniversary. And as the economy collapsed, McCain had to endorse a bailout he never would have backed had he not been running for president. Reason: Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson begged him to.

The first was probably a small net plus-- but especially in combination with the biggest factor: the unpopularity of Bush and the implosion of the GOP name brand.

In any case, the saddest thing here is that McCain gave in to Paulson's begging. He eliminated whatever opportunity he had to win-- in addition to failing to provide leadership, and thus, leading us further into the bailout blackhole.

Thanks Bush (for little) and Mac (for nothing)...