A McCain Surge?

Larry Kudlow and Steve Moore both thought John McCain was the winner of last night's debate. I'm not sure that's true and given that Kudlow and Moore are both crazy people, I'm not sure I should take their judgment seriously. On the other hand, the purpose of Republican primary debates is to make yourself look good to an audience of crazy people, so maybe I should take Kudlow and Moore very seriously.

At any rate, in the event that a McCain surge does materialize, the antidote is Matt Welch's new book McCain: The Myth of a Maverick, a comprehensive dissection of the man who for a long time held the title of America's most overrated politician and who still in many circles is viewed as something of a sympathetic, tragic figure.

In the book, Matt builds upon some earlier writing of his on McCain through the revolutionary (given the subject matter) method of actually examining McCain record and views than the more traditional approach of wishful thinking and ideological projection. In essence, it's the story of a man who succeeded in turning his own life around through embracing hard-line American nationalism and then decided to adopt this as a governing philosophy before becoming a media darling in a way that left him simultaneously overexposed and underanalyzed.

Comments

...the purpose of Republican primary debates is to make yourself look good to an audience of crazy people...

...the man who for a long time held the title of America's most overrated politician...

...the more traditional approach of wishful thinking and ideological projection...

damn, MY, that's some beautiful stuff. you're on fire today!

Posted by cleek | October 10, 2007 8:41 AM

Bullshit Express

Posted by croatoan | October 10, 2007 10:50 AM

On multiple occaisions last night McCain showed what an old man he is with the "ehh? what's that sonny? I can't hear you!" complete with the scrunched up face and seemingly mock comprehension to buy time. I don't see how any centrist or liberal watching could declare McCain the winner. Of course, I don't understand the mindset of the republican base either so I can't really judge from that perspective.

Romney was by far the best last night, showing both good stage presence and a command of the issues rivaled only by McCain. But the corporate happy talk (the greatest threat to our economy is a loss of optimism? GMAFB) has got to go. Eight years of that would have us longing for the days of the childrens and the putting of food on your family.

Posted by watcher | October 10, 2007 2:18 PM

On the other hand, the purpose of Republican primary debates is to make yourself look good to an audience of crazy people, so maybe I should take Kudlow and Moore very seriously.

That's only true if Kudlow and Moore are crazy in a way that's representative of the mass of GOP primary voters. My impression is that there are actually several, distinct varieties of lunacy on the right these days.

Posted by J | October 10, 2007 2:36 PM

Just FYI... according to the latest ARG poll (via Josh Marshall) McCain is polling at an anemic 26% in his own home state of Arizona!

There isn't going to be a McCain revival...

Posted by santa monica jeremy | October 10, 2007 3:25 PM

You need to understand that Kudlow and Moore are hardcore supporters of the McCain-Kennedy illegal immigration amnesty that was overwhelmed earlier this year by the uprising of the Republican base.

Posted by Steve Sailer | October 10, 2007 5:22 PM

As Sailer notes, the Fox Business wing of the GOP doesn't move very many actual votes.

Posted by Steve | October 10, 2007 5:30 PM