I've said this in MANY interviews recently, "One can not be the 'standard bearer' for conservative values the 'maverick' of the mainstream media simultaneously."

Thusly the MSM proves me right... AGAIN!

The Washington Post, "He's bad on the war and health care." The L.A. Times, "He's FOR TORTURE!" Time Magazine, "He's a complete fake!" And New Yorker magazine: has to hand off the tough question to his staff...

On a side note - a good friend of mine unearthed what I think might be the ultimate McCain argument in his upcoming debates against Obama. (Assuming that McCain keeps his frame of mind well enough to not become reflexive or knee jerk against Obama, which I personally believe will be his toughest temptation to overcome.)

But in the debates this is the card he should play over and over again: "You know, in all the years I've been working across the aisle, Mr. Obama has just never been there. He's a nice man, with a beautiful family, but where has he been. I was the one working across the aisle, working with Democrats to solve the problems we face - even to the ire of many of my own supporters. But Mr. Obama was never one of the ones leading the way to solve those problems. I've worked with many Democrats, but Mr. Obama was never one of them. Where was he?"

At first blush I thought this tactic was quite bland - but the more I contemplated it - I think my friend is on to something. It DOES reveal Obama's thin experience while positioning McCain's position as one who has ALWAYS walked across partisan lines to get things done. (Something most of us conservatives can recite chapter and verse...) And that may be in attribute that the independents will be looking for in the general election...

Certainly an idea worth trying...