There's an old fable, Senator McCain: "The Emperor Had No Clothes."
It's a story about a leader who was so blinded by his own ego that he didn't realize what was going on around him. Finally, some honest unknown soul tells the leader the truth. It might be worth rereading.
I offer this letter with all due respect. I haven't been one of your greatest fans over the years, but many friends I respect have been in that club. You've lost them all, and you really should understand what's going on.
While I don't imagine you read DKos every day (since they are no longer even letting you chat with your friends on cell phones) you probably won't catch this letter. But hopefully, one of your staff will--and slip it under your door.
Senator, it seems very apparent that you were always meant to be the sacrificial lamb--the throw-away candidate--selected by the back-room power brokers who actually run the Republican Party. They undoubtably knew about the financial meltdown (although may have missed its predicted date by a month or so.) They knew that they had stolen about all they could from the U.S. Treasury for now, that the Iraquis were likely to force the troops out in 2009, and that they could not afford to actually give up the single wedge issue that had won them 3 of the last 5 elections, the reversal of Roe v. Wade.
So the puppet masters decide to take a break; they agree that they will scare the nation enough with high gas prices and banking meltdowns so that every possible lease and bail-out is in the bag, and then to offer up a massive loss. And you're it! I'm sorry to be the one to have to tell you.
Now, these very rich, very anonymous puppet masters are always looking long-term; they box you in to a choice of Vice President nominee that proves "red meat" and a faux sign of fealty to the Religious Right--Ms. Palin. Four years from now, that's what those folks will remember. And they sow the seeds of an excuse their donors will buy: not "the dog ate our ballots" but ACORN Ate 'em.
But unlike a wooden puppet, you have choices Senator McCain. You can remain a manipulated toy of the back room boys, or you can return to your own roots. You can listen to your friends--assuming they let you hear their calls. Senator Collins, Senator Lugar, even Senator Biden have suggested that you have a heart. Use it.
Go directly, eye-to-eye with the electorate. Stay true to your policy instincts. It may not win you the election, but two weeks of true "straight talk" will certainly go a long way to helping you return to the senate in January with some vestige of self-respect.
And while you are at it, write a simple stump speech for Governor Palin that's all policy and no vitriol, and tell her very clearly that she should read the teleprompter.
She probably won't do it, since she's the darling of the 2012 nomination committee. But you will be true to yourself, and your soul.