The Maverick Card

This is one of those things that can be two fold. I can't help but think that it only reinforces the myth of McCain being a maverick.

I would say it's pretty evident that John McCain didn't vote for George Bush in 2000. Who could blame the guy? After what he went through in the primary I probably would have done the same thing. Plus this goes right along with McCain nearly switching parties in 2002, which we know to be accurate. I think, however, this helps him more than hurts him.

For example, as Lisa talked about yesterday, George Bush is still decently popular amongst the core Republican base. They have their frustrations with him but right now his 26% or so approvals is only there because of that base. If it weren't for them he probably would have been forced to resign by now. So that gives us a president with a 71% disapproval rating whom John McCain didn't vote for even though Bush was his party's nominee. Sounds like a rebel to me. This makes independents and the other 20% of the people who voted for Bush but wish they hadn't tend to like him more, I think.

McCain has just the opposite problem than Bush. McCain's disapproval comes largely within the Republican caucus while remaining popular with independents and conservative leaning Democrats. So I could see how bringing up the fact that McCain is really a Democrat in disguise really adds what might be the final nail into his Republican support coffin. Because surely McCain will need at least half of those 26% who still support George Bush to vote for him as well if he wants any chance in the general. So, I see it as two fold. Though I'm leaning to it helping him more than hurting him. But I've been wrong before; many times.