I’ve always kind of liked John McCain.  I don’t usually agree with him on substantive issues, but I like the fact that he is himself, and never puts on an artifice.  So I think it’s interesting that the Republican “base” absolutely detests him.  What happens if McCain and Clinton become the nominees – will Rush Limbaugh spontaneously combust?   

I’ve had trouble understanding the visceral hatred that so many on the right have for McCain, who is, by and large, pretty damn conservative.  And then I realized, he must be like Joe Lieberman for the Democrats.  Not that I think these guys are that terribly similar in style or substance – Lieberman strikes me as a pompous, self-righteous windbag, while McCain is sort of oddly endearing, like a crazy uncle – but I see how they could have the same sort of irritating effect on members of their respective parties (not that Lieberman is really a Democrat anymore).  I wouldn’t ever vote for Lieberman, so I guess I understand why many Republicans are hostile to the idea of McCain as their nominee.